Technological developments are heating up a number of industries, none more so than the healthcare market. These digital advancements are assisting physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and dentists care for their patients easier, quicker, and better than ever before. While some of these advances are just making their way into the healthcare sector, they are certain to provide patients with better care and treatment now and into the future.
A Move Toward Patient Satisfaction
The healthcare industry is taking advantage of several digital trends in order to provide enhanced care to patients, while also trying to reduce costs. As the healthcare sector looks to use more technology and drive its digital growth, the following goals should be kept in mind to improve overall patient satisfaction:
- Reducing costs.
- Enhancing the patient experience.
- Providing better patient care.
- Protecting patient information.
- Offering great medical access.
- Providing more efficient medical services.
- Becoming more transparent and cost-effective.
- Giving the power back to the patient.
Let’s take a look at the following digital trends that are paving the way for the healthcare industry to achieve these goals one step at a time.
A Move Towards Telehealth
Telehealth is becoming a reality across the United States. With the ability to be treated by a doctor virtually, patients are more easily able to get medical treatment when they need it most. Telehealth offers patients the ability to get medical advice and care without having to leave the comfort of their house, while also providing doctors perks such as caring for multiple patients more efficiently and working from home.
With telehealth access, patients are able to get prescriptions for colds, fevers, and the flu without dragging themselves to the doctor’s office where they could infect others. Telehealth is also providing medical access to rural patients easier as they may not have a doctor or specialist in their area to care for them.
With the onset of telehealth, patients are able to have a healthier lifestyle without having to fit into the schedule of a doctor’s office visit. Watch this digital trend grow and spread to your local cities and towns as a viable way to give the medical treatment patients need without limitation.
Instant Access To Medical Records
Long gone are the days of paper charts, as hospitals and doctor’s offices have embraced digital medical records with abandonment. It is standard for a doctor to have instant, digital access to a patient’s medical history during an office visit.
By using laptops and mobile devices, doctors are able to cross-check test results or see diagnoses from other physicians and specialists when making a determination on how to best care for a patient. This has also made it easier for doctors to communicate with their patients, now with the additional mobile means to do so.
Use Of Wearable Devices
Wearable devices have hit home in the healthcare industry, allowing doctors and nurses to have the ability to check vitals and other health measurements regularly, even while remote. Through the use of wearable devices, patients are able to monitor their own health stats and have these results sent directly to their doctor without delay.
These wearable devices have made it easier than ever for patients to monitor their health and instantly send data to their doctors in real-time. There is no need for constant monitoring by healthcare staff as these devices can record heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and more while syncing with other hospital devices for treatment results.
Wearable devices are the wave of the future in the healthcare industry and will soon be the norm in many hospitals. These devices can also help to reduce the responsibilities of healthcare staff, allowing them to focus on other aspects of care, and help to deal with the staffing shortages in many fields.
Increased Security Measures
With the constant threat of a cyberattack, hospitals and doctor’s offices are faced with the responsibility of keeping their patients’ personal health information private. Add in the public digital devices that are used to record this data, and there is a real need for cybersecurity technologies and plans.
Hospitals bring information technology security experts on staff to integrate the security measures that are necessary to protect their patients and prevent an attack from breaching this sensitive information. The more technology that the healthcare space brings on, the greater the need is for cybersecurity. With 24/7 access necessary, hospitals are faced with a real need to keep this personal data safe and secure to prevent an attack that could put their patients lives and their facility’s reputation at risk.
Integrated Provider Networks
Integrated provider networks are making it possible for patients to rapidly see if a healthcare provider is in their insurance network. These integrated systems incorporate the latest user information and allow complete and total access from a mobile phone.
IoT and Big Data
With the healthcare industry increasingly more concerned about patient satisfaction, it comes as no surprise that they are collecting information about their patients through big data systems. This information is allowing doctors and hospitals the ability to understand their patients better while finding out their personal preferences.
These healthcare providers are able to provide a better patient experience through big data by providing better hospitality and medical care. This use of data will only grow as the healthcare industry grabs on to the many facets that this technology offers to help it enhance its customer service offerings.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is not that far behind big data, as it offers the healthcare industry the ability to interconnect all of its systems for a more streamlined operation. From more efficient power systems to improved device engagement, hospitals are able to manage every device and detail within its scope, without having to employ the overhead to do so.