Isala: Accessible contact between healthcare provider and patient – De Stadskoerier

7 minutes ago

Partner contributions

Hospital care is becoming increasingly digital, which provides all kinds of benefits. For example, healthcare providers and patients can easily exchange messages with each other via the Beterdichtbij app.

Gynecologist Jeroen Dijkstra started working more with the app a few years ago. ‘During the corona period we looked for new ways to contact patients. Initially I used the Beterdichtbij app mainly to make video calls. But I soon also discovered the chat function. The great thing about it is that you can easily share brochures and videos. It is also an accessible way for both patient and healthcare provider to send messages. These will be saved so that you can read them again.’

Quickly reassured

Esra Bloo had her first experience with Beterdichtbij as a patient a while ago. ‘I made an appointment with the gynecologist and received an invitation to register for the app. After visiting the gynecologist, I realized I forgot to ask something. The question had no real urgency, but it stuck in my mind. Then I left a message via chat. A day later I already had a response from the secretary. She then asked the gynecologist to respond to the message. Because I had some additional questions, we scheduled a telephone appointment and were able to talk in more detail. Otherwise I think I would have left my question alone, but by being able to put my question in the app I quickly got an answer and was reassured again.’

Check data and give permission

For Jeroen, Betterdichtbij is now part of his regular work routine. ‘The app is linked to the patient file and this way you can easily switch. This is useful, for example, if you want to pass on certain results to the patient. Some questions can already be answered by the secretariat. I can answer any remaining questions at a time of your choosing. Another big advantage: The telephone now remains more accessible for emergency questions from, for example, general practitioners.’

For good digital communication between healthcare providers and patients, it is important that patient data is known and correct. In addition, it is important that healthcare providers can share patients’ medical data with each other. That is why we ask Isala patients to check their data, supplement it if necessary and give permission to share their data with other healthcare providers. This can be done via Mijnisala.

More information at www.isala.nl/zorgdigitaal.