In healthcare, communication isn’t just important, it’s absolutely critical. And yet, it’s often where things quietly start to fall apart.
Between stretched staff, rotating shifts, overwhelmed patients, and dozens of messages coming from different systems, it’s surprisingly easy for key information to slip through the cracks. I’ve heard stories from clinicians who found out too late that a patient had missed a follow up. Or patients who didn’t know where to turn after discharge because, well, they simply didn’t receive the information in the first place.
Perhaps this sounds familiar.
The good news is that digital tools, particularly patient care apps, are beginning to close some of those gaps. They’re not perfect (no tool is) but when implemented thoughtfully, they can seriously improve communication in patient care and reduce missed patient information in ways that feel almost… seamless.
Here are five tips that may help improve patient communication across your organisation, and how the right tools can support you in doing it.
Tip 1: centralise key information in one accessible place
One of the most common complaints patients have is not knowing where to find reliable information. Some get it verbally during appointments (and forget most of it). Others receive leaflets. Some try Googling, which opens another can of worms altogether.
An app with a centralised information section can change that. Patients (and their families) can access curated resources 24/7, whenever the questions come up. Whether it’s learning about a diagnosis, self management tools, or what to expect before surgery, everything is in one place. It’s not just helpful; it’s empowering. It supports patient engagement by making them part of the process.
And for staff, that’s fewer repetitive calls or missed messages. A win on both sides.
Tip 2: use instant alerts to close the gap
We’re still too reliant on letters, and even texts can feel delayed in certain settings. Timing matters, especially when it comes to changing appointments, medication guidance, or new insights around a condition.
With the alerts feature of a patient care app, updates are instant. You can send notifications to everyone or specific patient groups. Whether it’s a reminder about fasting before surgery, a flu clinic date, or changes in visiting hours, people get the right message, at the right time. No delays, no chasing.
It’s a simple change, really, but one that makes effective communication in healthcare more proactive than reactive.
Tip 3: keep patients in the loop with news and updates
Patients don’t always feel part of the wider care ecosystem. They come for appointments, receive treatment, and leave, often unaware of anything else happening within the Trust.
That can make the experience feel impersonal.
A regularly updated news section can soften that. It might include quarterly newsletters, condition specific updates, upcoming events, or just human stories from within the team. This kind of content fosters patient communication that’s more open, more transparent.
Throw in integration with social platforms like Facebook or X (Twitter), and it becomes even easier to reach patients where they already are.
Tip 4: make contacting the right person easier
Sometimes patients delay reaching out because they don’t know who to contact, or when. Or worse, they try, but get bounced from one line to another.
That’s where the contacts section becomes quietly powerful. All the relevant details, consultants, nurses, support staff, even emergency numbers, are pre-loaded and easy to find. Some apps even offer pre-filled email templates to make reaching out even smoother.
It’s a small feature, maybe, but it contributes significantly to effective communication in healthcare. Especially when minutes count.
Tip 5: listen, act and close the feedback loop
Communication is a two way street, or at least it should be. Patients are often asked for feedback, but how often do they feel heard?
Digital forms and surveys, embedded directly within a patient care app, offer a low barrier way for patients to share experiences. Done well, they can reveal small things, signage confusion, unmet needs, tone of communication, that can otherwise go unnoticed.
It’s a simple tool, sure, but the impact? Potentially transformational. Because good communication in healthcare isn’t just about information given. It’s about listening, adjusting, and sometimes just saying: “We hear you.”
Final thoughts
Improving patient communication isn’t about flashy solutions or endless meetings. It’s about finding small, sustainable ways to remove friction, between staff and patients, between departments, even between visits.
Healthcare apps aren’t magic bullets. But they do offer something close to structure, especially when the system itself can feel chaotic. And in a world where communication in patient care can literally change outcomes, that structure might be exactly what’s needed.
Even if it’s just one missed message fewer. That’s already worth it.
Want to learn how the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust uses its cancer support app to improve patient experience and support for patients and their carers? Read or watch their case study.
FAQS: 5 top tips to improve patient communication and reduce missed information
Effective communication in healthcare helps ensure that critical information is passed accurately between staff and patients. It reduces errors, improves patient satisfaction and ultimately leads to better outcomes. When patients understand their care, they’re more likely to follow guidance, attend appointments and feel confident in their treatment plans.
Patient care apps provide centralised platforms where staff can share updates, resources, and contact details, instantly and securely. Instant alerts, accessible news and integrated contact sections streamline communication across the care journey, reducing the likelihood of missed or misunderstood information.
They empower patients to take an active role in their health. With 24/7 access to tailored resources, event calendars and easy communication with their care team, patients feel more involved and informed. This improves patient engagement and leads to better adherence to care plans.
Yes, significantly. By centralising information and automating routine communications (like group reminders or condition updates), patient care apps reduce the need for repetitive phone calls, letters, or manual data entry, freeing up staff to focus on clinical care.
Absolutely. These tools can be tailored to different hospital settings, whether that’s outpatient clinics, wards, specialist services, or Trust-wide communications. They’re flexible, scalable, and designed to support communication in patient care across a wide range of clinical environments.