As anyone in the healthcare industry knows, there is always a push for newer and better technologies to improve care, reduce costs and promote healthier patients. As someone rather new to the healthcare industry, I have to ask, what exactly does everyone mean when they say technology? It seems most of the time technology involves electronics, computers and expensive equipment even when that is not necessarily the best method for many patients. So, my question is whether it is possible that we have gone so far toward electronic technology that we have lost sight of other forms of technology that might work better?
Here’s are a couple recent examples:
- Rapid Readmissions – A recent research study called Project RED showed that patients being discharged from the hospital are less likely to be readmitted if nurses, and/or physicians follow specific simple educational steps and make follow-up contacts. Using the definition above, the methodology of Project Red is technology. There is no need for a computer; by simply following the specific steps outlined in the study, hospitals can reduce unnecessary readmissions by 30%… It is through human interaction and education that readmissions are reduced. Hospitals are trying to automate this process by building it into their computer systems, but taking the one-on-one interaction out of the equation also decreases the effectiveness of the method.
- Personal Health Records – For over 10 years, government officials, doctors and other healthcare providers have touted the need for Personal Health Records as a way to improve communication, keep patients better informed, and promote personal responsibility. Unfortunately, their focus was solely on creating electronic PHRs. Why is that unfortunate? What our experts have failed to take into account is their focus population (the elderly and chronically ill) were not computer users.
In practice, it seems we sometimes ignore the obvious needs of individuals in the rush to include electronic technology. Using my last example, we know, from numerous studies, that less than 39% of seniors use the computer. We know that Personal Health Records can save lives, reduce mistakes between practitioners and promote better health among seniors. Yet, the industry continues to push for Personal Health Records to be electronic. Wouldn’t it be better to put PHRs to work in a form that patient’s will actually use and comprehend? Let’s apply our knowledge toward educating the patients by using technology they understand and are comfortable with.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines technology as “the practical application of knowledge, especially in a particular area”. Certainly, electronic technology encompasses amazing and valuable tools and no one can argue that electronic methods have improved most components of healthcare. Yet, despite these advances in electronic technology, we must not lose sight of the needs of today’s patient. When electronic means are appropriate, by all means use them, but when a simple paper and pencil method would work better, it is irresponsible and wasteful to ignore this in favor of electronic means!
Our focus in the healthcare industry must be do what is right for the patient by meeting the patient where they are, rather than trying to force the patient to meet us at a computer screen which they can’t or won’t use.
