From Fragmentation to Coordination: Building Bridges Between Providers and Virtual Care Resources

In recent years, healthcare has been moving toward virtual care faster than ever. The Remote Patient Monitoring industry, for example, has tripled in size since 2022. Patients want accessible, continuous support, and physicians are looking for ways to extend their reach beyond the exam room, without burning out.

This is where virtual care programs step in as a bridge between appointments. Virtual care programs that provide services like Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) help improve patient outcomes while reducing burden on providers. However, the best results happen when communication is strong and consistent.

That’s why well-coordinated care is so crucial. Below, we’ll explore why connected communication matters, what it looks like in practice, and how MetaPhy’s MyCare Program helps build those bridges for more seamless, patient-centered care.

Breaking Down Silos: The Need for Connected Communication

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is fragmentation. Patients managing chronic conditions often see a primary care doctor and several specialists. Although a virtual care team can provide the day-to-day support they desperately need, smooth communication is key to success. 

When communication breaks down, patients may get conflicting instructions and forget to follow through on recommendations. Opportunities for early intervention can also be missed, leading to complications that could have been prevented. This isn’t just frustrating for patients. It’s stressful for providers, who are left trying to piece together care without a clear line of communication. Every gap makes it harder to deliver consistent, coordinated, and high-quality care.

The answer lies in building strong bridges between providers and virtual care resources. Strong coordination ensures continuity, fosters trust, and improves outcomes for everyone involved. 

Best Practices for More Connected Communication

Successful care coordination takes structure and consistency. Here are a few guiding principles that strengthen communication between providers and virtual care teams (VCTs):

• Clear role definitions: Patients should understand what to expect from their VCT, like medication reminders or healthy lifestyle support, and when they need to reach out to their provider directly. This prevents confusion and ensures providers lead their care.

• Regular reporting: Providers should review virtual care plans, provide any necessary modifications, and approve them, creating a reliable feedback loop. 

• Timely escalation: If a patient flags an issue outside of the VCT’s scope, it should be quickly escalated to the provider. This builds trust with patients and ensures providers can intervene before a complication arises. 

• Technology as a connector: RPM tools like digital scales and blood pressure monitors provide real-time data that flows seamlessly back to the provider, ensuring any issues are flagged immediately. 

These best practices establish a connected communication framework that prevents silos between providers and VCTs, ensuring patients receive well-rounded care. 

How MetaPhy Builds Bridges Between Providers and Virtual Care Resources

At MetaPhy, we’ve built our MyCare program to complement, not replace, the provider-patient relationship. Our Virtual Care Team works on behalf of the practice and is always under the general supervision of the provider.

This team includes:

• Licensed nurses (LPNs and RNs)

• Medical assistants (MAs)

• Physician assistants (PAs)

• Dietitians and exercise physiologists

• Our Patient Experience and Quality Control Teams

Providers review and sign off on care plans each month, keeping them closely involved in their patients’ care between visits, while our team handles regular check-ins, reminders, and patient engagement. Patients are also encouraged to contact their provider directly for any concerns that fall outside the scope of our Virtual Care Team. If any potential issues arise between office visits that require the attention of providers, we reach out right away.

Providers remain the central authority, patients know their doctor is leading their care, and our Virtual Care Team fills the gaps with reliable, consistent touchpoints and progress tracking between visits. MyCare’s clear channel between patients, physicians, and care coordinators ensures that everyone is on the same page, leading to better patient outcomes and stronger provider relationships.

The Bigger Picture: Less Stress for Providers, Better Outcomes for Patients

The future of healthcare isn’t about replacing traditional provider-patient relationships. It’s about strengthening them. By building bridges between providers and virtual care resources, programs like MetaPhy’s MyCare Program create a well-coordinated, value-based care model where patients feel supported and providers feel connected.

Interested in seeing how MyCare can support your practice and your patients? Our team is ready to help. 

Book a discovery call today.