#FutureReadyHealthcare
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04 Oct 2024
The life sciences industry is on the hook to implement increased connectivity and digitalization in the patient enrollment process to keep pace with evolving global markets and regulatory frameworks. To meet these regulatory and market expectations, life sciences organizations have begun adopting innovative virtual and remote digital technologies. This transformation is expected to enable them to increase their outreach to patients and enable accelerated and hassle-free patient support program (PSP) enrollment .
However, while doing so, simultaneously securing patient consent for enrollment in PSPs is paramount. Beyond being a legal requirement, it is also a fundamental ethical practice that respects the autonomy of patients and fosters transparency in healthcare relationships. By obtaining informed consent, life sciences organizations ensure that patients are fully aware of the nature, potential benefits, and associated risks of the program.
This transparency not only builds trust but also empowers patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare journey, aligning with a patient-centered approach to care. Furthermore, patient consent facilitates regulatory compliance and risk management, mitigating potential legal issues and promoting the quality and integrity of the data collected through these programs.
Challenges in traditional patient consent
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) often obtain verbal consent from eligible patients and fax minimal data to the patient hubs because of privacy constraints
Hub agents must then contact patients or HCPs to collect missing personal information and signatures for program consent
Multiple communications between agents and patients/caregivers are required to gather required data and signatures, leading to a high rate of cancellations because of missing information
Incomplete forms are escalated by hub agents, as HCPs struggle to obtain the necessary data
HCPs experience significant administrative and financial burdens, resulting in reduced patient capacity
Enhancing patient enrollment with eConsent
By digitizing the enrollment process for PSPs, eConsent offers a myriad of benefits for life sciences organizations that not only streamline operations but also enhance the overall customer experience.
Web-based enrollment: The eConsent approach provides a web-based platform that can seamlessly integrate with existing brand websites, offering a user-friendly experience for both patients and HCPs. This minimizes the need for manual, paper-driven processes and allows all stakeholders to complete their designated tasks at their convenience
Electronic Health Records (EHR) and healthcare integration: Integration with EHR systems enables HCPs to initiate enrollment directly within their workflow, eliminating the need to access separate platforms. This seamless integration also extends to electronic benefit verification tools, facilitating real-time coverage determination after successful enrollment
Enhanced customer experience: With an eConsent platform, issues related to missing information have been nearly eliminated, reducing administrative burdens associated with patient enrollment. Moreover, the digital automation inherent in eConsent drives efficiency and cost-effectiveness for both HCPs and patient support vendors, ultimately improving the overall experience for patients
By leveraging eConsent, life sciences organizations can embrace a more streamlined, efficient, and patient-centric approach to enrollment in support programs. With its ability to drive paperless experiences, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and enhance customer satisfaction, eConsent can uplift patient enrollment processes in the industry.
Creating a streamlined eConsent workflow for patient enrollment
Let us consider how life sciences organizations can plan for and create eConsent workflows. Patient enrollment in a PSP can be initiated either by HCPs based on patient qualification or by hub agents responsible for ensuring the completeness of patient information. Let us examine the key areas of focus when implementing a standard eConsent workflow at a life sciences organization.
Initiation and workflow trigger: The eConsent portal is designed to trigger the enrollment workflow by sending a unique link to the patient. This link enables the patient to access the portal and submit the required information for enrollment
Data collection: Upon accessing the portal, the patient is presented with a form prefilled with relevant details based on their qualification or previous interactions. The patient can then update or add any additional information as necessary
Generation of editable PDF and consent submission: Once data are updated by the patient, the eConsent portal generates an editable PDF document containing both the prefilled and newly added information provided by the patient. After reviewing the information, the patient can provide consent by electronically signing the editable PDF. The final downloadable PDF is generated after the patients submit their consent
Distribution of consent forms: The finalized pdf consent form is shared by the patient, HCP, and hub agent via email for their records. This ensures that all relevant parties have access to the consent documentation
Reminder system: In the event that the patient fails to update the consent form within a specified timeframe, the system automatically sends limited-time reminders to prompt the patient to complete the process. This automated reminder system helps to minimize the need for manual follow-up by hub agents, ensuring timely completion of the consent process
By implementing this level of streamlined eConsent workflow, life sciences companies can enhance efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and improve the overall patient experience in the enrollment process for PSPs.
Utilizing Adobe Acrobat Sign for eConsent
Adobe Acrobat Sign offers a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-compliant comprehensive suite of capabilities that aligns seamlessly with the requirements of the eConsent solution. With both static and dynamic approaches available, it caters to a wide range of consent workflow requirements, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in the enrollment process.
Static approach
Create templates within the Adobe portal, allowing for easy customization and standardization of consent forms
Map fields from the application to the Adobe template, ensuring accurate data capture and alignment with existing processes
Seamlessly integrate the form into the eConsent portal using REST API, facilitating a smooth user experience
Configure multiple parties for signature and set precedence of signature, either within the template or via API endpoints, providing flexibility in consent workflows.
Dynamic approach
Generate templates dynamically at runtime from the application using the mPDF library, enabling on-the-fly customization based on specific patient information.
Utilize the transient document API to create transient document IDs, allowing for the creation of temporary documents for signature.
Integrate the dynamic form into the eConsent portal using REST API, ensuring real-time access to updated consent forms.
Configure multiple parties for signature and set precedence of signature, providing adaptability to diverse consent scenarios.
Monitor the status of documents, including expiration or completion, through Adobe webhooks, enabling proactive management and follow-up.
Unlocking efficiency and compliance
Leveraging Adobe Acrobat Sign, the eConsent approach offers a HIPAA compliant electronic platform and a HIPPA compliant checklist for capturing patient consent remotely and conveniently. This innovative solution transforms the patient enrollment process by significantly reducing instances of incomplete information, ensuring that consent forms are completed accurately and comprehensively. By enhancing data integrity and streamlining the intake and enrollment process, eConsent drives efficiency and reduces any onboarding delays of patients by an impressive 90%.
By digitizing the consent process and streaming workflows, integrated healthcare systems with eConsent empower stakeholders across the ecosystem, improving compliance, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. Please reach out to our experts to learn more about implementing a web-based approach to consent management.
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