The New Frontier Of Healthcare Systems

The New Frontier Of Healthcare Systems

Technological advancements touch every aspect of modern life. While many people focus on how these advancements can benefit them at home or at work, they may be unaware of how these innovations are improving the way that doctors and medical professionals provide services to the public.

However, the medical arena has benefited from these changes in several notable ways. The public can appreciate these technological improvements by discovering how these changes allow them to receive better and faster healthcare.

Electronic Records

People used to have to languish for hours in the emergency room or doctor’s office simply because their physician had to wait for their paper medical records to be retrieved from a vault or file room. Now, however, doctors can quickly pull up patient records electronically, shortening the time that people must wait for treatment that could lessen their pain or alleviate their suffering. Many doctors’ offices and hospitals utilize vast electronic systems that keep records safely stored, yet readily accessible to physicians.

Mobile Health Devices

Just as providers can gain access to electronic records, they can similarly document and transmit patient information with mobile technology. Gone are the days when a physician would have to write down a person’s symptoms or treatment plans and then send that record via courier or the mail to a specialist or laboratory. A doctor can now use a tablet computer or a smartphone to transmit electronically this information to the intended recipient.

Patient Portals

When people have questions or concerns that need to be addressed immediately, they can get the quick help that they need by logging into their patient portal online. Many medical facilities offer portals for patients that allow people to email their doctors, chat virtually with a healthcare representative, or verify information, all without having to make an appointment with their provider.

A portal also allows people to pay their bills, make changes to their patient records, or access educational resources that will help them manage their conditions at home in between appointments.

Rural Telehealth Services

Bridging the healthcare gap in rural communities continues to be a top priority for many medical facilities. Doctors and nurses realize that they may be unable to make trips from isolated areas into bigger cities to consult with specialists and laboratory professionals. Rather than leave rural-dwelling patient isolated without access to quality healthcare, providers in these distant settings can use telehealth technology to consult with physicians in other locations. This technology allows providers to share information and determine the best course of treatment for people who would otherwise go without vital care for their conditions.

Wearable Wireless Technology

Because doctors typically care for and manage a large number of patients, they increasingly rely on wearable medical technology that allow them to get instant access to a patient’s physical information.

A person who is suffering from a heart condition, for example, can be fitted with a wearable device that will transmit readings wirelessly to the physician’s office. The doctor can respond quickly with the best treatment if the person shows signs of distress.

These advancements continue to help doctors treat patients better. The public can take satisfaction in realizing how the technological improvements extend beyond their everyday lives and into the way their physicians manage their healthcare.

Nadine Swayne is a freelance writer and tech enthusiast. After witnessing an innovative electronic transition in a local hospital she was visiting, she was inspired to research and contribute this article. 

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