There are several new technologies available for patients to connect with their doctors. Some are asynchronous, meaning that you can send your information during your appointment, and the doctor will review it later. Others capture biomarker signals from your smartphone and send them to doctors for analysis. Regardless of which device you choose, these new devices will make your doctor's job easier. This article explores five of these technologies.
Automated Referral Systems
Managing the referral process with an automated referral system can save time and money while boosting patient satisfaction and promoting continuity of care. This technology also reduces the administrative burden by relieving front-office staff of manual phone calls.
It also promotes care continuity by encouraging patients to adhere to care plans and plugs revenue leaks. The key to closing referrals is timely reminders, and automated referral systems help patients connect with doctors and schedule appointments when convenient.
In addition to saving time and money, automated referral systems also increase efficiency. Electronic medical record (EMR) software has become an industry standard in hospitals and clinics.
Using an electronic medical record (EMR) system helps hospitals and clinics to streamline administrative processes. This move towards structured documentation is an excellent step in the right direction, but there are still many challenges.
A new study by Research Gate found that more physicians could attend to more patients when they used the automated referral systems.
Smartphone Medical Devices
Medical professionals can also use mobile devices to monitor patient progress and access information about past treatments or medications. Such apps can remind patients to take their medications, schedule appointments, and track vital signs.
For example, the FDA recently approved Apple's Series 4 watch to offer two new health apps. Though it is not a regulated medical device, it is used by licensed practitioners to diagnose and treat diseases, and it can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store.
Today's world is filled with mobile devices, including smartphones and other hand-held computers. Mobile technology has become a common feature of consumer products and medical devices, and its use has been gaining momentum in recent years.
Wearables
The development of wearable technology has made it possible to gather and analyze patient health information in real-time.
The mirrorme3d empowers patients to make healthy lifestyle changes. The issue is that, although the data collected by wearable devices is helpful for medical purposes, very little of this data is being used clinically. It's important to note that the existing infrastructure doesn't allow easy integration of data from wearables into the EHR.
As the number of physicians decreases, efficiency in medicine will become even more critical. Wearable devices can provide real-time data to healthcare workers and identify potential health crises.
By providing high-quality data analytics, these wearables can alert healthcare workers to public health threats, such as COVID-19. By detecting diseases early, they can help prevent or mitigate them. The use of wearable devices can improve the quality of care and save time for physicians and patients alike.
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is one of the most promising technologies for medical professionals and patients alike. It allows patients to interact with their doctors in real-time, even if they cannot travel to see them in person.
These devices are also proving helpful in capturing biomarker signals from smartphones, which can then be sent to doctors for evaluation. Despite their newfound popularity, they face challenges in the field of technology.
Ultrasound Systems
The technology is improving physician-patient connections. Ultrasound devices are easier to use than ever before, and they are now able to make a physician-patient connection easier—ultrasound devices couple ultrasound energy to a patient through a water-based gel.
A family physician can use ultrasound technology to help patients connect with their doctors, and it is now easier than ever to get a diagnosis and treatment through ultrasound. Moreover, ultrasound systems are becoming more affordable and portable, and many family physicians have embraced them.
Bright Future for the Medical World
While there's still some debate about the effectiveness of telemedicine services and apps, it's clear that being able to connect patients with doctors via their mobile devices can be beneficial for both sides. Technology can act as a conduit, helping to bridge the gap between providers and patients. And if that doesn't work out, we have plenty of other things to worry about.