Your Medical Practice and e-health Solutions
Posted by Lin Dworshak on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 @ 10:48 AM
The American college of Physicians has stated that "e-health activities have the potential to transform the health-care delivery system" and "advance the patient centered medical model.
e-health opportunities can both streamline work-flow and be more patient centric. A practice that offers on-line scheduling, on-line payments , on-line lab results and e-mail a question to the provider will find success in this new marketplace world called the internet.
Technology seems to be moving at the speed of light, and while technology has made a dramatic difference in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and even clinical Lab testing; embracing technology by providers has been slow. A mandate by federal agencies has driven providers to a EHR product. Those who have been ahead of the curve and already use a EHR are primarily younger providers and those in larger practices.
Technology is expensive, but the more prominent reason for failure to embrace is the change in work-flows that need to accompany transition to technological advances. With the popularity of the social media and marketing of products through the social media, it only makes sense for providers to jump on board and utilize readily available techniques to not only attract patients, but deliver internet solutions to them enabling them to interact with practice at their convenience.
There is also discussion about the older population embracing technology. At a recent conference this question was asked of a provider who actively uses internet solutions with patients, his reply was "do not underestimate the MCR age patients ability to use the internet. They do banking on line, they talk to kids on line with chat programs and skype, they use face book. They have cell phones and computers" Great answer!
Latest ideas for practices to implement:
- on-line scheduling
- on-line payments
- on-line lab results
- e-mailed appt reminders
- auto check-in on a computer
- provider using a I pad or I pod to draw pictures for patients
- printing off latest information about patient illness and giving to pt
- providing websites for patients to visit
- practice web site for pt to down-load paper work to be filled out prior to visit
- interaction with patients via web site/email
- EHR incorporated with pt visit to document visit as visit occur
There are of course many ideas practices are incorporating. But for the best ideas, ask a teenager.