The Changing Face of Healthcare through Digital Connectivity: Improving Service Efficiency by Connecting with Patients and Consumers through Digital Means
The face of the healthcare industry has evolved from just being physical to digital too. Technology, like it has taken over all business and service industries, has equally affected the domain of healthcare services as well.
The digitization of the healthcare industry has not only brought tremendous revolution in the ways people care about their health and wellbeing, it has also altered the ways physicians and healthcare practitioners connect with their patients and consumers as well. Since it is safe to say that the future of healthcare lies in the digital world, it is high time the industry adapts to better practices to ensure better connectivity with their audience and optimize their share of benefits and returns.
The influx of technology in the domain of healthcare has appeared in a variety of shapes and forms, from smartphone apps to EHR and from video checkups to wearable health devices for self-evaluation.
According to a report published by the Commonwealth Fund, this digital transition has empowered patients with better self-care, bridged the communication gap, ensured the provision of a personalized healthcare service, brought about a reduction in healthcare costs and has improved decision-making at the end of consumers and patients alike.
Here are some critical success factors and healthcare areas for health practitioners to efficiently reach out to their patients through digital means and to optimize the outcomes and benefits:
Instant and Automated Service Delivery
Minor infection and healthcare needs, like a toothache, red eye, or an insect bite, are often treated at home. The digital world allows the patient or caregiver to access medical aid or a physician through video calling or web connectivity without having to drop in the clinic or hospital in person.
This, in a broader horizon, would bring a revolution in the contemporary and basic life support services by making it virtually accessible, anytime and anywhere. However, it is recommended that the healthcare providers receive a BLS certification or BLS renewal for the diligent deliverance of virtual treatment.
Virtual Training and Evaluation
The usage of health-related mobile phone apps that increased from 16% in 2013 to 32% in 2015 indicates that the consumer base and patients can be accessed through the ‘smart’ channel for regular health training and examination.
Mobile technology has made it convenient for the healthcare industry to guide their audience, such as devising a customized diet or health plans for them, keeping up with mental wellbeing, coping up with stress and depression, and also for effective weight loss management through expert tips and advice, through these health apps.
Digital Therapies
This makes for a convenient option to keep up with the post treatment follow-ups for patients who need treatment and care at home. Infusing artificial intelligence into virtual healthcare technology, digital therapies is an efficient, time saving and cost effective method that acts as a GPS navigator for the patient by formulating prescriptions pertaining to the diet and exercise and keeping up with follow-ups related to patients who require critical care at home.
EHR and Healthcare Informatics
The federal government is putting a greater emphasis on practitioners to maintain an electronic system of records and updates about each individual patient’s health and medical history to minimize information gaps and improve service efficiency.
Despite the obvious need to incorporate record keeping of health and medical information for legal compliance, healthcare informatics is more beneficial for practitioners and healthcare providers in terms of the service they provide. It improves the quality of care and reduces malpractices and the events when important paperwork is misplaced. Moreover, it provides instant access to a patient’s entire history and thus, improves the quality of treatment and decision-making at the end of the service provider.
