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The Role of Technology in Healthcare

With technology playing a large role in everyone’s lives, it makes sense that people are looking for greater convenience in their daily lives. In everyday services, like food delivery and online shopping, people are benefiting from tech, can the same be said for their medical services?

Healthcare, in particular, can benefit greatly with the right technological solutions. However, the sector is known to be one of the slowest to adopt innovations. This is largely influenced by the sector’s aversion to risks.

Unlike other industries and sectors, any type of technology-induce failure in the healthcare infrastructure can carry significant health risks and can even endanger lives. But this aversion to technology is no longer practical. There is no denying that technology provides the healthcare sector with several advantages.

How Technology is Used in Healthcare

The Role of Technology in Healthcare

One of the driving forces influencing healthcare professionals to adopt technological innovations is how much time they can save with them. With most medical records still kept in paper format, unnecessary downtime is created simply by trying to find the right information. Find out how technology is addressing this common problem.

Electronic Health Records

The creation of electronic healthcare records (EHRs) has given healthcare professionals a solution to unnecessary downtime. With patient records, medical diagnostics, and other information kept in an electronic database, they can easily access the data they need even during a consultation.

Electronic Prescriptions

An electronic prescription, otherwise known as e-prescribe, is a convenient tool for patients who don’t have the luxury or means to physically visit their physician. This also gives healthcare providers the ability to access their patients’ medication and treatment records whenever they need and wherever they are.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is an innovative solution to the lack of direct access to clinics and hospitals. Initially introduced in rural areas, this solution has now gained popularity in urban areas. Now, you can use it to meet with patients who can’t leave their homes or who can’t visit your practice.

Remote Monitoring Tools

When a patient is at home, healthcare professionals struggle to monitor their health. Remote monitoring tools give you the ability to monitor their progress without having to see them directly. These tools often come with specific software to give you a complete and accurate report of a patient’s condition on your desktop computer, laptop, or tablet.

What You Get with Healthcare-focused Technology

Increased Efficiency

As mentioned, one of the main reasons healthcare professionals are adopting technological innovations is the convenience they provide. From EHRs to remote monitoring tools, these allow professionals to reduce time-consuming steps in processes. Aside from data collection, these innovations can assist you in improving communication and in the creation of reports.

Improved Patient Care

The technology produces large amounts of data that is advantageous in patient care management. Remote monitoring tools and wearable technology, in particular, provide you with robust data on your patients.

Using this information, you can create management plans that are better at addressing specific symptoms and conditions. The access technology gives you presents several benefits for your practice and patients.

Streamlined Workflow

With the right technology, you can effectively streamline the workflow in your practice. Rather than spending long periods gathering and analyzing data, you can get the information you need at the touch of a button. Additionally, these innovations allow you and your staff to redirect your attention to core clinic practices rather than allocate time to menial administrative work.

Better Communication

A common challenge healthcare providers face is communication, specifically with their patients. This is often caused by missed appointments, lack of follow-up procedures, and even plain forgetfulness.

Over time, this can take a toll on patient care management. Fortunately, the digitization of healthcare processes effectively addresses this problem. With the right technology, you can improve 

communication between you and your patients. Aside from checking up on them, you can use this technology to gather important information after treatments and procedures.

Reduced Costs

Although adopting healthcare-focused technologies can be expensive, the advantages they bring to your practice are worth it. Moving from paper records to the cloud allows you to save on office supplies and storage space.

Aside from this, your streamlined workflow allows you to take on more patients. Instead of spending a lot of time on administrative tasks, your staff can focus on income-generating tasks in your clinic or hospital.

While technology is not the end-all solution to the challenges you face in your daily practice, these innovations can significantly reduce them. They allow you to improve services for your current and future patients.

Aside from making things more convenient and comfortable for them, you are creating an environment where care is prioritized. Additionally, several of these innovations give you the opportunity to improve communication and connectivity with your staff and patients, which can better your overall work environment.