What is keto diet? Why is addiction a disease? What are opioids? These are just some of the top health queries generated on Google in 2017. A study conducted some years ago said that more than 40% patients search for information and seek help online. This is the reason for the thriving online patient communities worldwide.

Over the years, these communities have achieved two crucial factors –trust and empathy of patients. And therefore, it’s only logical for healthcare providers to encourage and build online patient communities for their own demographics.

These online patient communities have a lot in common. They had similar benefits. Here are some of those benefits which such communities provide to patients and healthcare providers

Encourage a data-driven culture in your organization

In 2017, in all, 80 percent of Internet users, or about 93 million Americans, have searched for a health-related topic online according to a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. People are looking for more information on the web and online patient communities not only offer information but also empathy. Therefore, when you think of building online patient communities, you encourage a data-driven culture in your organisation. Online patient communities encourage interaction. They act like a rapid feedback resource for hospitals and clinics so to include patients in their day to day business decisions.

Save extra costs

The importance of data-driven decisions has only increased over the years in healthcare sector since everyone has seen the efficiency of data analysis. However, access to relevant data, its correct interpretation and analysis for insights can incur huge costs for healthcare providers. Online patient communities facilitate this kind of data and its analysis in a more accessible and less expensive way. Through online patient communities, questions can be raised today and feedbacks can be received the next day. Healthcare providers can view results in real time.

Source of emotional support

A study of 528 patients reported at Sciencedirect.com on patients of fibromyalgia, breast cancer and arthritis demonstrated that patients felt empowered while discussing problems online with other patients. Doubtlessly, online patient communities are rich in empathy quite naturally. Here’s where patients feel truly a part of a community that understands their challenges deeply. These communities are beneficial to both patients and providers because the empathy is achieved as part of daily interactions. This emotional support results in faster recovery of the patients and motivation to take follow-up action after treatment.

Access to education and resources

Online patient communities are often a great source of knowledge and information categorised by members under various threads. Caregivers can support other caregivers in terms of resources, right links of tools and services, recommendations. Similarly, healthcare providers get feedback and discussions in order to analyse the kind of needs patients and caregivers have for better and faster recovery. This helps these demographics to cope with burnout and find answers to their queries faster and in a more practical way.

Vinfotech has been a leading development partners for healthcare communities. We have a track record of building and developing HIPAA-compliant IT products for healthcare providers. Do take a look at the online health community offering by Vinfotech and feel free to call us.