Recent research illustrates that home-based digital counselling effectively reduces the frequency of outpatient visits while sustaining robust levels of patient readiness. Non-inferiority studies validate that these digital methods parallel traditional face-to-face sessions in performance. This advancement refines patient care models by reserving in-person consultations for those necessitating more extensive attention.
By trimming superfluous consultations, healthcare providers can utilize their resources more strategically, ultimately enhancing patient care and system efficiency.
For clinicians, these insights are vital in transitioning to digital solutions. The capability to handle FIT-positive cases remotely without sacrificing care quality is invaluable. Digital counselling platforms integrate smoothly into colorectal cancer screening processes, allowing providers to concentrate face-to-face efforts on patients needing urgent or more invasive procedures.
This strategy not only improves patient engagement through tailored, continuous support but also alleviates pressure on outpatient services, paving the way for a more efficient healthcare paradigm.
Conventional colorectal cancer screening often requires numerous outpatient visits following a positive FIT result, heavily burdening healthcare institutions. Digital counselling offers a practical solution by significantly curtailing the necessity of in-person consultations.
Findings from a multicenter prospective non-inferiority study reveal that digital counselling utilizing instruments like the Digital Intake Tool (DIT) ensures patient preparedness at a rate akin to that of traditional face-to-face counselling. This study showed 96.5% of participants were adequately prepared through digital means compared to 97.6% with conventional approaches, with only 3.4% requiring an in-person meeting.
A 2025 study confirmed that digital counselling achieved effective patient preparation, whereas a prior 2024 study demonstrated that a face-to-face pre-colonoscopy session can be effectively replaced by an eHealth assessment in a Dutch FIT-based colorectal cancer screening program (2024 assessment tool study).
Digital interventions in home-based settings have been shown to promote ongoing patient monitoring, personalized insights, and improved communication between patients and clinicians. These factors significantly boost patient engagement and satisfaction levels.
Mapping studies reveal that digital health tools enhance patient engagement through customized support, while simultaneously improving resource allocation by diminishing unnecessary clinic visits. These findings carry substantial implications for patient outcomes and healthcare delivery efficiency.
An example is a mapping study on digital health interventions in home-based primary care showing that these platforms support continuous monitoring and tailored care delivery. Further research confirms that digital self-monitoring systems effectively promote patient engagement, reduce clinic visits, and decrease hospital admissions.