Best healthcare messaging apps 2017 | Klara outlines to qualities necessary in a successful healthcare messaging app for 2017 through the future of medicine and care delivery. Learn about the qualities that makes a healthcare messaging app successful. We're beyond basic HIPAA compliancy, we need healthcare messaging apps that give results.

1. Best Healthcare Messaging Apps 2017

2. Healthcare messaging apps are technology that (usually) comply with the HIPAA security
privacy standards relating to the secure communication of protected health information
(PHI) for healthcare organizations. Apps for secure healthcare messaging are generally
more user friendly than traditional healthcare technology such as patient portals or EMR
systems. Healthcare messaging apps have been associated with better care outcomes,
higher patient satisfaction levels and increased practice revenue through operational
efficiency.
Successful Healthcare Messaging Apps for 2017 Have
These Qualities
The most successful healthcare messaging apps (and best ranked) have the following
features and capabilities that will be an asset for medical practices not just in 2017, but
through 2020.
Healthcare Messaging Intro

3. Asynchronous Communication
Asynchronous communication is the type of communication that can be conducted at
separate times. For example, telephone is synchronous (not asynchronous) because it
needs both parties to be present at the same time to communicate. This is a major factor
contributing to inefficiencies within the healthcare industry. The ability to communicate in
one’s own time, allows for better, more efficient communicating.
An example of asynchronous communication would be an app that allows for patients to
message medical practices, without having to be present to respond immediately.

4. Workflow Integration
You need to look for a healthcare messaging app that integrates into your current
workflow. Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, healthcare technology is known for lack of
user friendly design and workflow integration. Some EMR systems and patient portals do
have messaging capabilities, and I will say it right here: they suck. The average patient
activation rate for portals is 7.5% according to the most recent MGMA study. What if you
had a 7.5% retention rate on patient visits? You would be out of business. Healthcare
messaging apps are uniquely suited to work within your pre-existing workflow (both
internally and externally with patients).

5. Outcome-Focused
What’s the point of having a piece of technology, especially in healthcare that doesn’t
translate to any meaningful outcomes. You can create a simple HIPAA-compliant
messaging app, but without tangible goals and outcomes associated with its integration,
they become a burden on your practice. Shop around for a messaging app that makes
sense for the goals of your practice. Interested in optimizing revenue? Boosting your
patient retention rates? Growing your practice? All of these can be achieved when you find
the right healthcare messaging companion for your operations.

6. Which is the Best?
Klara is the forerunner of healthcare messaging apps for 2017. Triaging capabilities,
integration support, goal-focused and user-friendly (over 80% adoption rate), Klara is the
most promising app for 2017 and beyond. Interested in discussing more about healthcare
messaging and your practice? With the potential that digital healthcare has to reduce
costs, health insurers have been investing in the space. From 2011–2016, over $900
million was invested in digital health startups. Healthcare messaging is leading the way.

7. Where do you stand? www.klara.com