With each passing week, the healthcare industry faces new, unexpected challenges. And as COVID-19 continues to uproot our daily norms, patients require more care and more effective resources. It’s no longer enough to have “ok” tech that takes time or doesn’t always work. Instead, healthcare providers need to focus on what best helps their patients, as well as what gets in the way of proper treatment.
COVID-19 won’t be the last pandemic. But it can be the event that prepares you for future ones. By taking stock of what’s important now, you’ll know what to prioritize for other emergencies. And by updating the tech you currently have, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
Here are three technologies that are essential for the healthcare industry’s future:
Telehealth/Telemedicine
COVID-19 has required most of us to stay indoors. If someone isn’t an essential worker, outside trips are reserved for grocery shopping, exercise, and doctor visits. But the latter of these excursions comes with a risk itself—if others in the doctor’s office are sick, that person could get sick as well. And even if someone wants to take that risk, doctor’s offices are currently so overcrowded, they might not even be able to get in.
Telemedicine allows doctors to meet with patients remotely. It saves patients the risk of contracting something while also providing more time for them to meet. Of course, this technology requires efficient audiovisual, which allows doctors to hear their patients and examine their symptoms. Additionally, good telehealth can only be offered through a solid and stable internet connection.
Fast, Reliable Network
As more and more patients arrive at your office, it’s important that you see them in a timely manner. And one of the biggest deterrents to this process is a slow or glitchy internet connection. A slow internet slows everything else down—research, scheduling, prescribing medicine, etc. And when these processes come to a halt, you’ll have to make up the time by seeing less patients or cutting back on how much you can help them.
A fast, reliable network allows you to perform all computer tasks effectively. In turn, your schedule opens up for more important tasks. Instead of spending minutes fighting with a browser, you’ll have the time to answer your patient’s questions. In short, you’ll simultaneously be able to help more patients and offer them a higher quality of care.
Automated Processes
Like with your network, having quick, automated processes is key to patient satisfaction. For instance, the quicker you can get through your paperwork, the sooner you can see your patient, and the more help you can provide them. Furthermore, automation allows you to cut back on costs, generate bills quickly, and adjust your staff based on historical patterns. Through data analytics, you’ll be able to predict these patterns, know when to expect more patients, and automatically adjust schedules to meet any influxes.
The importance of healthcare is undeniable, and so is the importance of good IT. Through telehealth, healthcare industries can provide care from afar. And with reliable internet, they can ensure their telehealth works and that in-person patients receive the care they need. Finally, with data analytics at the helm, a healthcare provider can automate multiple processes and ensure they’re functioning quickly and effectively. In short, good IT leads to good healthcare. And investing in your patients starts by investing in your technology.
