How Can Technology Help Doctors?
Technology has changed nearly every way healthcare providers interact with their patients. From how they communicate to managing patient records, the impact of technology cannot be understated. Doctors who want to provide better medical care for their patients should try to incorporate new technologies into their practices. Here is a deeper look at how technology helps doctors improve their patient management processes.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
Electronic health records (EHRs) have transformed the way patient records are managed. Paper records were traditionally used to keep track of patient health information. However, paper records had many limitations, such as the inability to share records between healthcare providers or accessibility for patients.
With EHRs, patient records are stored electronically and can be accessed securely by authorized healthcare providers. This also makes it possible for care providers to operate paperless practices since everything can be done with electronic records and mobile devices. Doctors can edit the records themselves as well during an appointment, eliminating a step for administrative staff and improving the accuracy of records updates.
Telemedicine and Virtual Consultations
Telemedicine and virtual consultations have made healthcare more accessible, especially for patients who live in remote or rural areas. Telemedicine involves the use of technology to provide medical care remotely. In most cases, this means video conferencing with patients rather than having them come into the office. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of remote care became accepted by most patients. However, new technologies make it possible to perform medical diagnostics or provide medical care remotely.
Telemedicine and virtual consultations are useful for patients with chronic conditions that require ongoing monitoring, as doctors can monitor patients remotely and intervene when necessary. In several ways, it gives doctors a much deeper look at a patient’s condition and more options to treat them as needed.
Wearable Technology for Patient Monitoring
Wearable technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, both in professional medical fields and in personal health management circles. One of the biggest trends is the use of smartwatches to help patients track and improve their health. While used for personal use, they can collect and deliver data that doctors can use to diagnose conditions.
Professional medical fields are also developing wearables that can track patients’ medical conditions and remotely relay data for further analysis. This is largely the case with implants such as pacemakers and similar medical devices.
Wearables offer a level of detailed data that was difficult, if not impossible, to collect before. Doctors can monitor patient health in real-time, intervene when necessary, and detect potential health issues before they become serious. Patients can track their own health and take a more active role in their healthcare. Having access to a well of information that was previously unavailable can make a big difference in helping doctors improve patient care.
Future of Patient Management Technology
The future of patient management technology is exciting and full of possibilities. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and 5G networks have the potential to transform patient management processes even further by collecting more data and offering better interactions in real-time.
Imagine a patient with a heart condition being monitored for symptoms of a heart attack. Before, they would have to stay in the hospital. Now, a patient with a heart monitor can go about their life while a doctor can collect more data than ever using an automated monitor. Even more, doctors can react when there is a problem, such as activating a pacemaker or sending an ambulance to pick up the patient if their stats start to drop.
In short, the ability to collect data and take action is far better than it ever was before new technologies became available. Only time will tell how far that technology can go.
Learn More About Technology in Medicine from Doctor at My Door
The way that technology continues to support improvements in medicine makes it important for any care provider to keep up with the latest developments. Fortunately, you can do that with help from Doctor at My Door. We make it easy to learn about technology in medicine and other topics that you need to know to keep your practice up-to-date.