Is mobile technology proving to be a boon or a bane for medical professionals?
Wielding the high-tech, double-edged sword like a modern-day swashbuckler, Dr. Bryan Vartabedian, MD - director of community medicine for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, aka America's largest children's hospital – embraces cutting-edge technology in his practice.
In a nod to this digital age, he pens insightful articles about healthcare culture on his blog. What technological advancements does he see shaking up his practice? And does tech truly make patients savvier? Let’s take a closer peek.
Mobile Magic
Most docs are playing technology catch-up, some kicking and screaming. A Tech Survey from Physicians Practice revealed that only 59 percent of doctors claimed their electronic medical records (EMR) were fully operational in their offices, and 20 percent labeled the EMR their top tech challenge.
Dr. Vartabedian belts that Epic, the EMR used at his hospital, is nothing short of transformational. Paired with the Canto app, he can access patient records, schedules, and more straight from his smartphone. He even captures photos of everything from pesky rashes to intricate clinical conditions with his mobile device, which instantly populate patient files.
During direct patient care, he can whip out his phone to nab immediate Internet access whenever a reference is necessary. In fact, looking up drug, diagnosis, and treatment information ranks among the top three uses of mobile technology for healthcare providers, according to the same Physicians Practice survey.
A Not-So-Silent Call
In the age of beeping, buzzing smartphones, keeping up can feel overwhelming. But Dr. Vartabedian opts to rise above the clamor, employing a HIPAA-compliant messaging app like Spok to securely communicate with peers about patients.
Clearly articulating can-save-lives information gets priority. And with this app, providers can promptly chat with each other about complicated patients in the thick of tertiary care.
Remember when your only access to a doc was in the exam room? Those days are ancient history now, with social media offering around-the-clock contact. Yet, even with this expanded reach comes a new set of expectations. Patients often anticipate instantaneous responses, and Dr. Vartabedian balances these demands carefully.
He uses Spok during regular work hours but warned peers upfront that replies might take until the end of the day. He cautions about succumbing to a "time creep," ensuring he partitions his time effectively to stay connected with patients while maintaining personal boundaries.
Does Technology Make Patients Smarter?
It turns out that the surge in personal technology empowerment isn’t just limited to healthcare providers. Patients now take advantage of apps like wearables, sleep tracking devices, or even genetic testing.
Yet, challenges may present when patients import their data to medical appointments and expect an analysis or recommendation based on the findings. Dr. Vartabedian warns that most docs might be underprepared or ill-equipped to provide the required guidance, especially for genetic screenings.
As medicine veers increasingly toward personalization, these requests will likely increase. To help assuage any tension between patients and docs, Dr. Vartabedian suggests that an intermediary be enlisted to help explain the results of personal technology. This approach helps demystify the data and empowers patients to make better-informed decisions.
Dr. Vartabedian isn't the rose-tinted-glasses type, though. He acknowledges that the rise of personalized care may prompt concerns about the reliability of patient research. But he staunchly defends the power of information in the hands of patients – with an intelligent and informed population capable of discerning the merits of different sources.
And should you hesitate to trust online reviews? Well, studies suggest that the focus frequently defaults to less important details like office appearance rather than meaningful insights.
Dr. Vartabedian doesn’t scoff at the haters. He knows that patients are talking and wants healthcare providers to deliver exceptional care that garners laudatory reviews.
Looking ahead, Dr. Vartabedian expects technology in healthcare to dominate even more as doctors increasingly outsource tasks and patients embrace digital tools. He's optimistic about the future, with benefits outweighing potential drawbacks.
- Dr. Vartabedian, using Epic, the EMR at his hospital, paired with Canto, can access patient records, schedules, and even capture photos of clinical conditions on his smartphone, revolutionizing patient care.
- Dr. Vartabedian employs a HIPAA-compliant messaging app like Spok to securely communicate with peers about patients, ensuring quick and efficient healthcare communication in the digital age.
- Patients are leveraging personal technology, such as wearables and sleep tracking devices, to take control of their health and wellness. However, challenges may arise when patients expect immediate analysis or recommendations based on these findings, requiring healthcare providers to be better prepared and informed.
