SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TAILORING THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS TO PATIENTS
A computer implemented method may be used for tailoring communications to a plurality of patients. The clinical priority of each communication, the likelihood of a patient responding to the communication if received at a particular time, and the available resources for performing the communications may be analyzed in order to prioritize and schedule the plurality of patient communications.
1 . A computerized method of scheduling a plurality of patient communications, the method comprising:
determining the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications;
determining the clinical priority of each patient communication;
determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication based on the time of the patient communication;
organizing the plurality of patient communications into time slots based on the likelihood of receiving a response, the clinical priority of each patient communication, and the available resources; and
outputting a schedule for performing patient communications based on the organized patient communications.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the time of the communication is a time of day, a day of the week, a particular date, or a week of a month.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications comprises analyzing the skill set of each individual responsible for performing the communications.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the clinical priority of each patient communication comprises:
categorizing the patient communication;
assigning a priority based on the category of the communication; and
adjusting the priority of the communication based on the length of time the communication has been scheduled but not completed.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the time and content of a future patient communication based on the response received from the patient communication.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a relative priority of the patient communications within a time slot; and
ordering the patient communications within the time slot based on the relative priority.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing a correlation between patient demographics and the likelihood for a patient to respond to a patient communication performed in a particular time slot.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein patient demographics comprise age and gender.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing communication preference information received from the patient.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing the patient's health status.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a predictive model is used to determine the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein organizing the patient communications is performed by a computing device.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting a patient on the basis of the schedule.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the patient is contacted using an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a computer, a portable computing device and a telephone.
15 . A computerized method of scheduling a plurality of patient communications, the method comprising:
receiving information indicative of the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications;
receiving information indicative of the clinical priority of each patient communication;
receiving information indicative of the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication based on the time of the patient communication;
organizing the plurality of patient communications into time slots based on the likelihood of receiving a response, the clinical priority of each patient communication, and the available resources; and
outputting a schedule for performing patient communications based on the organized patient communications.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the time of the communication is a time of day, a day of the week, a particular date, or a week of a month.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining the time and content of a future patient communication based on the response received from the patient communication.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
determining a relative priority of the patient communications within a time slot; and
ordering the patient communications within the time slot based on the relative priority.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein organizing the patient communications is performed by a computing device.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising contacting a patient on the basis of the schedule.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the patient is contacted using an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a computer, a portable computing device and a telephone.
22 . A system for scheduling a plurality of patient communications, the system comprising:
a memory storing information associated with a plurality of patients; and
a processor to perform:
determining the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications;
determining the clinical priority of each patient communication;
determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication based on the time of the patient communication;
organizing the plurality of patient communications into time slots based on the likelihood of receiving a response, the clinical priority of each patient communication, and the available resources; and
outputting a schedule for performing patient communications based on the organized patient communications.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the time of the communication is a time of day, a day of the week, a particular date, or a week of a month.
24 . The system of claim 22 , wherein determining the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications comprises analyzing the skill set of each individual responsible for performing the communications.
25 . The system of claim 22 , wherein determining the clinical priority of each patient communication comprises:
categorizing the patient communication;
assigning a priority based on the category of the communication; and
adjusting the priority of the communication based on the length of time the communication has been scheduled but not completed.
26 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the processor further performs determining the time and content of a future patient communication based on the response received from the patient communication.
27 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the processor further performs:
determining a relative priority of the patient communications within a time slot; and
ordering the patient communications within the time slot based on the relative priority.
28 . The system of claim 22 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing a correlation between patient demographics and the likelihood for a patient to respond to a patient communication performed in a particular time slot.
29 . The system of claim 28 , wherein patient demographics comprise age and gender.
30 . The system of claim 22 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing communication preference information received from the patient.
31 . The system of claim 22 , wherein determining the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication comprises analyzing the patient's health status.
32 . The system of claim 22 , wherein a predictive model is used to determine the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication.
33 . A computerized system for scheduling a plurality of patient communications, the system comprising:
a memory storing:
information indicative of the available resources for communicating a plurality of patient communications;
information indicative of the clinical priority of each patient communication; and
information indicative of the relative likelihood of receiving a response to each patient communication based on the time of the patient communication; and
a processor to perform:
organizing the plurality of patient communications into time slots based on the likelihood of receiving a response, the clinical priority of each patient communication, and the available resources; and
outputting a schedule for performing patient communications based on the organized patient communications.
34 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the time of the communication is a time of day, a day of the week, a particular date, or a week of a month.
35 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the processor further performs determining the time and content of a future patient communication based on the response received from the patient communication.
36 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the processor further performs:
determining a relative priority of the patient communications within a time slot; and
ordering the patient communications within the time slot based on the relative priority.