Navigating Cancer is working on some exciting improvements to Health Tracker, our remote monitoring program that gives cancer care providers an easy way to check in with patients about medication adherence and side effects with a simple SMS text message.
In working to understand what our customers and their patients need from a remote monitoring program, we had the opportunity to connect with practices that are successfully using the program today as well as those that are ready to implement a remote monitoring program.
We recently sat down with a customer to learn more about how they are using Health Tracker today and their plans for the future. This large, busy practice is part of the Oncology Care Model, so they have focused their initial efforts on patients who are taking oral oncolytics. They check-in periodically regarding oral adherence as well as side effects. They have a dedicated nurse who manages the program and have been able to meet the compliance requirements of OCM as well as help patients proactively manage side effects and avoid the hospital.
Achieving patient engagement
This practice has a high participation rate, so we asked to learn more about why. The manager of the program said her engaged patients prefer responding via text since it’s much less intrusive than a phone call. For instance, if a patient happens to be out in public, reporting side effects over the phone may not be ideal. Patients like the privacy and the flexibility for responding via their text message prompt to check-in.
This practice, as well as many practices in value-based payment arrangements, encourage their patients to always call them first and as soon as they need assistance. That’s another great feature for Health Tracker participants – they can simply click “Request a call” if they want to speak to the care team. Doing that generates a triage ticket and ensure that the care team is aware of what’s going on.
Flexible functionality to meet your program’s needs
We know that some of our practices use Health Tracker to check-in regarding oral adherence and others use Health Tracker to check-in with infusion patients regarding side effects. This is a good reminder of the flexibility Health Tracker offers.
Through our travels, we’ve learned a lot – including that each practice uses Health Tracker differently. We’re glad to offer our practices such a flexible tool that can help them ensure patients are compliant with treatment plans, get ahead of patient side effects early, or even discover and remove barriers to treatment.
Think Health Tracker might be good for your program? Learn more today!