Company
Date Published
Author
Susan Lucas Collins
Word count
1460
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The Penn Medicine Nudge Unit is leading an effort to apply behavioral economics and behavioral phenotyping to improve patient outcomes in healthcare by using subtle changes to the design of choice architecture, known as behavioral nudges. These nudges aim to guide patients in the right direction without forcing decisions, often through simple changes such as the order of options, default choices, or language framing. The unit has successfully leveraged Twilio's communications technology to improve patient outcomes in various studies, including flu vaccination efforts, COVID-19 monitoring, community outreach, and keeping at-risk moms safe during pregnancy. By using nudges, healthcare organizations can drive more effective care, improve acceptance and adherence to health services, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.