
The healthcare industry is currently undergoing a technology revolution. Big data and artificial intelligence tools are being used to monitor public health, aid in diagnostics, and advance medical research. At the same time, the process of obtaining medical care is becoming increasingly digitized, with virtual concierge systems, apps, and telemedicine.
While technology is behind many advances in the medical field, its rapid adoption is a cause of concern for some providers and patients. Many people worry that an over-dependence on these technology tools can lead to biases in medical care, such as focusing on data points that don’t take the whole picture into account. Similarly, there are worries about equal access for those who are not tech-savvy or who don’t have good internet, as well as valid concerns regarding data privacy and security. There is certainly something to be said for the human element in healthcare. With that in mind, how can technology be used more strategically to build a patient-centered experience? In this blog, we will explore two areas of medical technology and suggest ways they could become more patient-centered.
Over the past decade, healthcare apps and online portals have become an essential part of the healthcare experience. Apps offer a ton of different functionalities including delivering test results, providing symptom checkers, and connecting people with healthcare providers. You can now make appointments, refill prescriptions, and even speak with providers online. Healthcare apps have already made major strides for mental health with apps like Better Help that connect patients to therapists nationwide. There is no denying that applications are a useful part of our everyday lives, and they’re picking up in popularity, but how can healthcare applications be more patient-centered?
A 2015 study showed that healthcare application usage was not particularly high overall, but for those that used apps, the primary focus was on exercise, brainteasers, and diet apps. (1) Based on the results, the survey researchers concluded that most people preferred apps with broad functionality. Furthermore, patients were seeking out these applications on their own – not at the recommendation of a trusted healthcare provider. If you’d like to explore apps from a different angle, we’ve discussed some of the newest technology in a previous article about Telemedicine.
The fact that there are entire careers devoted to organizing medical records is telling. Medical paperwork and patient records are the lifeblood of the healthcare industry. Accurate and accessible records are essential to building a comprehensive picture of a person’s health. Having accurate records is key to avoiding misdiagnosis or dangerous drug interactions. Today, many providers have made the shift to digital medical records, allowing providers to access up-to-date information from mobile healthcare portals. This is a great way to put patients first, but there are some important factors to consider when designing or onboarding digital medical records.
Technology can make a positive impact for patients and healthcare providers as long as it’s deployed thoughtfully. Indeed by applying bid data and next-gen hardware, healthcare systems can reduce errors for prescriptions and diagnostics, reduce costs, and streamline the process of obtaining care. There is so much potential in the field of medical technology. We are often focused on big innovations like cures for diseases or new medications, but many of the smaller more accessible advances can make just as much of an impact. The key is keeping the focus on patients, not just technology for technology’s sake. Exploring medical data with artificial intelligence and simply making healthcare more accessible for the underserved can save just as many lives as a new wonder drug.
DOMA is ready to help with your medical records challenges. We believe that accessible data puts patients first, and our DX portal can make collecting and exploring healthcare records easy. We can also assist with helping your healthcare organization digitize legacy records and documents or transition to digital forms.
DOMA Technologies (DOMA) is a software development and digital transformation company whose mission is to change customer lives by lightening their workload through faster and more targeted access to their data. Since 2000, our team of 200+ experts
has helped businesses navigate all aspects of the digital world. We are a dedicated strategic partner for the federal government and private sector clients at every stage of their unique digital transformation journey.
Tracey Wilder
Digital Marketing Specialist
DMT@DOMAonline.com
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Learn more about DOMA’s Healthcare Services.
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