Measuring patient engagement allows providers identify which variables lead to patients divesting from their own care. CDW’s recently released its 2017 Patient Engagement Perspectives, a study outlining the highs and lows of patient engagement in the past year.

The following are top points from the study:

1. Patients reported feeling more engaged than the previous year's study, with rates of engagement rising from 57 percent in 2016 to 70 percent in 2017.
2. A significant majority of providers (71 percent) say improving patient engagement is a top priority in their organization.
3. Only 29 percent of patients would rate their providers an “A” for the technology available to improve engagement.
4. Some 95 percent of patients see the benefits of online healthcare to their engagement.
5. Patients able to access patient portals rose from 60 percent in 2016 to 98 percent.
6. Patients over 50 using patient portals increased from 34 percent in 2016 to 53 percent in 2017.
7. More than four of five patients (83 percent) have noticed providers encouraging them to access healthcare information.
8. Nearly all of patients (98 percent) reported feeling comfortable communicating with providers via online patient portals.
9. Only 30 percent of patient believe telehealth would be beneficial to their engagement.
10. Seven of every 10 providers are concerned about their ability to conduct a telehealth visit.