Centering Caregiver and Provider Feedback in Home-Based Care Innovation

Mobility and transportation challenges make accessing healthcare a daunting endeavor for many individuals who need care. Whether it’s navigating the physical barriers of a doctor’s office, struggling with increased limitations from aging, or recovering after a surgical procedure, common obstacles impede the ability to receive necessary care. For those with disabilities or who are homebound, even a simple doctor’s visit can feel overwhelming, if not impossible.

This is where home-based care becomes a saving grace, offering patients and their families the comforts and convenience that come with this booming industry. As of 2022, about 33,200 home healthcare agencies in the United States were ready to meet an aging population’s unique and complex needs with cost-effectiveness and efficiency in mind. However, challenges remain. 

The number of qualified caregivers is lagging behind in meeting the growing demand, so healthcare leaders must invest in the proper innovative solutions to support caregivers. However, true innovation requires more than just technology. The core approach to care delivery must change. Technology must help companies serve more patients with fewer caregivers. This is where collaboration comes in.

Crafting these solutions requires tools built with caregiver and provider insights in mind. The siloed way of creating home-based care solutions is no longer sufficient. To unlock home-based care’s true potential, software must bridge the gap between frontline caregivers and the developers behind cutting-edge solutions. Deep partnerships with providers throughout development will allow technology companies to prioritize solutions that will increase staff satisfaction and retention and make a difficult job easier. Additionally, this cooperation allows technology companies to home in on time-consuming tasks and help uncover efficiencies to give staff more time back in the day to focus on patient care. 

Teaming up for better healthcare technology

The best healthcare technology emerges from collaborative efforts. Here’s why working alongside physicians, nurses, and home health caregivers builds a stronger foundation:

1. Caregiver insights: lighting the way – Building trust and achieving industry acclaim go hand in hand with empowering caregivers and providers. Their real-world knowledge fuels collaborative development, leading to software that agencies readily embrace. This may include immersive learning, in which software product managers shadow administrators and accompany clinicians on patient visits, fostering a firsthand understanding of caregiver challenges.
2. Empowering caregivers and providers fuels success – Including caregivers and providers in the development process creates a sense of ownership that translates into strong user adoption within agencies. Their real-world expertise fosters a trustworthy solution that builds industry credibility for all providers. This collaborative approach not only benefits everyone involved, it also propels software success. 

3. Avoiding financial setbacks– Involving providers and caregivers in the design process helps avoid creating cumbersome products. By working together, potential issues can be identified early on, saving everyone time, money, and frustration. When caregivers have a say, the end product is more likely to meet the real needs of patients and their care team.
4. Real-world feedback– Involving healthcare providers early on provides crucial insights beyond ease of use. Software providers can confirm the technology fits smoothly into caregivers’ daily routines. Their medical expertise sheds light on how the software affects patient care, pinpoints areas for improvement, and even reveals surprising ways technology can be used. This way, problems are tackled before the product is ready for the public. Additionally, establishing frequent feedback sessions with clinical representatives is essential to provide a platform for continuous improvement.

This comprehensive approach ensures the product roadmap remains constantly aligned with the evolving needs of the home-based care industry.

Beyond the technology

Traditional best practices can only take us so far. To achieve groundbreaking advancements in home-based care, software designers must prioritize continuous feedback from caregivers and healthcare providers. By fostering a collaborative partnership with these stakeholders, they gain access to a rich vein of real-world experience, and caregivers receive the support they need to continue providing quality in-home care.

These solutions play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency within the existing workforce. By streamlining processes and reducing the burden of documentation and mundane tasks, technology allows caregivers to reach and support more individuals with the resources they have. Although tech alone cannot fully resolve the staffing crisis, it is essential for driving improvements in home healthcare. Ultimately, prioritizing caregiver insights in solution development helps mitigate burnout and empowers caregivers to be more effective, making it a vital step forward in addressing the growing demand in the market.

Photo: Getty Images

With a rich background spanning two decades in operations and cutting-edge technology, Luke Rutledge has consistently demonstrated his leadership prowess in streamlining processes and elevating customer experience across various industries. He has held key roles at market-leading companies such as AT&T, Lincoln Financial Group, and HealthMarkets. At Homecare Homebase, Luke serves as the Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing the Commercial Revenue and Operations Teams and spearheading strategic initiatives to drive commercial growth and enhance market presence. Luke earned his B.S. in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, laying a strong foundation for his successful career course.

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