Healthtech startups are primed for a major role in the medical field. In the rapidly changing yet steady world of healthcare, where legacy systems like electronic health records (EHRs) are already decades old, innovative technology has been knocking on the door for a chance to streamline patient care.

Holding back the smooth transition of tech into the medical field, however, is a series of “ifs” that question just how prepared the healthcare system is to receive said tech—for instance, can innovative tech integrate into the medical system if it’s bogged down with countless older systems that show no signs of cooperating with each other? Can tech startups actually make headway in an industry as risk-averse as the medical field?

Luckily for healthtech startups, having a tested, rock-solid product or solution from the get-go will ease your entry into the medical field, despite its growing pains.

What does Innovative Patient Education look like?

A good patient education strategy looks different from a great one. Merely good tech might serve a function, but it won’t always solve a meaningful healthcare issue. Focusing too much on tech leads falsely to believing the system itself will create demand, without thoroughly understanding the day-to-day practices of users. You wouldn’t push a virtual reality platform on patients that allows them to explore a 3d model themselves if those patients live in a nursing home.

Great patient education strategies work for the opposite reasons. They say less about tech for tech’s sake and more about the patients they’re trying to educate. A good rule of thumb is to address specific problems in healthcare, like improving patient education or training healthcare providers. It’s essential to start with the need, then build the tech around it.

Innovative Patient Education Strategies that work

Integrating great patient education tech into a medical system with so many routes and regulations can make anyone a little dizzy—so this list offers several industry-reliable strategies used now by startups in healthcare.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy entrepreneur, a healthcare provider, or simply interested in the future of virtual care, an innovative strategy will go miles in helping you sell your strategy to hospitals and medical facilities.

Strategy 1: Personalized Education using AI

AI chatbots have been sprouting like weeds in several industries for several purposes—and the healthcare field is no exception. You likely know someone who habitually checks their symptoms with chatbots, but we’ll go out on a limb (the botanical kind, not the sort you might ask a chatbot whether you broke or not) and say you likely didn’t know nearly 52% of Americans acquire their health data through some sort of AI assistant.

While research is undergoing, some undeniable benefits of chatbots include: patients 24/7 access to them, ensuring minor—but time-sensitive—queries are answered without needing a doctor present, and customizable responses based on personal data. Worth noting is AI should never be a replacement of medical education, but a way to augment it.

• Example: A patient managing diabetes might receive tips on meal planning, exercise routines, or blood sugar monitoring based on their unique health metrics.

Strategy 2: Mobile health (mHealth) Apps

Mobile health apps are fast emerging as the most popular way for patients to consume health education info, with everyone having a phone and mobile access to records, charts, and tests being in high demand. Not only are apps great for the very clerical tasks of updating patients on their records, but they’re untapped potential for progress tracking tools, quizzes, and more. Consider offering short, bite-sized learning modules within mobile apps, allowing patients to learn at their own pace and easily revisit information as needed.

• Example: Take MyFitnessPal, a popular app designed to track fitness and diet goals. It allows users to log their food intake, providing insights into calorie consumption and nutrient breakdown.

Strategy 3: Interactive Video Content

Most of us are, at some level, visual learners. Animated or interactive videos explaining medical conditions, treatments, or rehabilitation exercises can be powerful tools for enhancing patient understanding. Rehabilitation centers often utilize visual aids like these to help patients better grasp their recovery plans and home care routines. To make these educational resources more accessible, some professionals incorporate physical take-home materials. For example, this custom presentation folder with a DVD slot allows centers to provide video education to patients, combining the convenience of visual learning with the practicality of a physical handout. These videos can also be shared digitally on websites, apps, or social media platforms to reach a broader audience.

• Example: Doctor-led webinars, unlike traditional educational materials, can incorporate real-time interaction. Participating in polls and asking direct questions—these both help pull the patient/doctor experience out of the virtual void and into that which feels more real.

Strategy 4: Wearables with Educational Feedback

In the decade or so that smartwatches have been attached around wrists, the technology surrounding these health monitoring devices has been constantly repeated—to great success. Not only do wearables track metrics like heart rate, sleep patterns, and blood glucose levels, but they include features designed to nudge users toward healthier behaviors. These might include reminders to move, drink water, or take medication, perfect for patients always on the go and medical professionals looking for real-time health metrics.

• Example:  Fitbit data has often been utilized in clinical research to study various health conditions and interventions. Researchers use the data to gain insights into patterns and outcomes, informing new treatments and health strategies.

Strategy 5: Telemedicine and Virtual Consultations

It’s a simple fact that some patients prefer describing their sneezing or coughing to a doctor miles away—in the process, saving them money on travel while being a reliable alternative to in-person appointments. But when it comes to scheduling appointments, it’s also the health providers who save. Decreasing operational costs related to physical office space and in-person administrative tasks makes going virtual a much budget-friendlier option.

• Example: Consultations can be complemented by data collected through wearable devices or health apps when interconnected with other systems, providing a rounded view of the patient’s health.

As the Industry Involves, aim for Innovative Tech that Serves a need

While the barriers to healthtech startups in the medical field will remain quite sturdy (at least for the foreseeable future), many are finding ways to break in and succeed. Mainly, innovative and tested strategies that are need-driven first, tech-driven second, will provide a solid launching pad to intrigue investors and continue your journey through the approval process funnel.