28 April 2020
What’s really happening in the EHR during the coronavirus pandemic?
What a difference a month makes.
In a short time, our lives have been upended. Personally, and professionally, it’s unlikely things will be the same. All of us in healthcare feel for the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff battling on the front-line in hospitals. Along with those healthcare professionals in the community responding to this new environment and continuing to care for their patient’s needs the best they can.
At the same time, we’re fortunate healthcare technology, digital pathways, and innovation offer our best hope for recovery. Those that have planned or implemented digital care and communication plans should be encouraged by their decisions. It is hard work many others will have to quickly implement. For those trying to figure it out, take a look at our Digital Health Start Up Guide.
Our point-of-care technology and expansive network of EHR partners across healthcare gives us a unique insight into the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of drugs and medical devices. Here are a few things we think you should know:
A survey of 500 physicians conducted by healthcare agency AbelsonTaylor recently published in Medical Marketing and Media (MM&M) shows physicians are continuing to ensure patients receive the treatments they need during this outbreak.[1]
40% of survey respondents said they have changed their prescribing habits and report writing longer supplies such as a 90-day prescription instead of 30-days.
They also report prescribing treatments without an in-person consultation. There’s been an unprecedented adoption of virtual visits. Three out of four survey respondents reported increased use of alternative methods to communicate with patients, with telemedicine services (106%) and video chat (159%) experiencing the biggest jumps in usage.
IQVIA is providing a report to the public monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the pharmaceutical market. While it shows an overall decline in treatment initiations, specialists treating acute symptomatic diseases continue to initiate new prescription therapy.[2]
The same AbelsonTaylor survey mentioned earlier shows physicians are pretty clear about what they want; 42% of physicians reported needing treatment protocol information for patients on a certain product and diagnosed with COVID-19.
They also report the level of patient support materials they are receiving has sharply declined with the decrease in personal promotion representative visits. More than 80% said they did not receive any new materials during the past week.
It’s clear to us that physicians and patients need the messaging and support from our pharma partners that our technology provides. Our point-of-care delivery is an important digital touchpoint needed for virtual visits such as telehealth and video chat. We are in contact with many brands strategizing the right messages needed on the front lines now.
As we move into the next phase of our national strategy to combat the epidemic, physicians and patients need specific support.
We’re all in this together. We should be proud of our medicines and technology have already had such a positive impact as we battle this epidemic. Our continued innovation will lead us through the recovery.
We’re proud to have the opportunity to do our part in helping get through this crisis.
We were able to immediately launch a free interactive text message service to provide coronavirus information issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directly to any SMS-enabled mobile device. To date, consumers in 49 states have signed up and are using this service.
We launched TelaRep, an in-workflow option for providers to connect virtually with MSLs and reps.
How should your brand digitally show up differently now? We can help you navigate a plan based on the latest data using your strategy and existing digital communication plans – whether in the EHR or not.
Contact us to see how we can work together to make sure HCPs have the information they need, and patients have access to treatment during these trying times.
[1] Study: Physicians changing prescribing habits, embracing telemedicine during COVID-19 crisis, Medical, Marketing and Media, April 20, 2020
[2] Monitoring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Pharmaceutical Market, IQVIA, Published April 17, 2020, Data week ending April 3, 2020
OptimizeRx Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRX) is a pioneering digital health company that provides healthcare communications solutions for life sciences to engage in streamlined, outcomes-focused dialogue with healthcare providers and patients. Connecting more than half of healthcare providers in the US through a proprietary electronic health network, the OptimizeRx digital health and communications platform is a SaaS solution supporting treatment access and adherence by advancing affordability and transparency. The platform unlocks novel patient and provider touchpoints for life sciences along the complete longitudinal patient journey, from both ambulatory and hospital point-of-care, to retail pharmacy, through patient engagement outside the care setting.
OptimizeRx Corporation
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