I actually started my IT career working in the healthcare industry. My first professional job was almost 15 years ago as an Executive Assistant at a small, privately owned, mental health services office. One of the first assignments I worked on was to help enforce the company email address requirement that had just been implemented. Several of the employees were not checking their company-assigned email addresses frequently enough, and the new policy required that it be checked at a minimum once per workday. The concept of having to check email daily for some more senior employees was unfathomable; most people claimed they either never remembered their computer password, or they didn’t have time. With the right training and education, all the employees of the small company did become complaint to the new policy. Now, in 2024, I can’t imagine even going an hour without checking my work email during the workday. The only way I’m successful at my current job is if I can respond to my emails throughout the day.
Along with the theme of my example about email, digital communication, in general, has probably been the largest change I have seen. Using technology to document medical notes, exchange information, and track patient care has prevented delays caused by paper charting. Electronic health record (EHR) and electronic medical record (EMR) systems provide a software solution for healthcare providers and patients. An outcome of the COVID pandemic was the increased use of virtual healthcare, and Telemedicine and Telehealth continue to be popular. Telemedicine and Telehealth are when patients and providers have their appointments using electronic communication. Tools like video conferencing or chat features allow healthcare services to be available without needing to be in person. Laptops and tablets are being used to access these IT systems. Some offices also have them installed in the exam rooms for real-time documentation. Healthcare professionals must be trained in how to use and operate these systems. In a previous company I worked for, a dedicated technology training team was designed specifically to help staff with the technology. The success of these technology solutions is dependent on their user's ability to use them. Often, having technology skills is a job requirement for healthcare professionals.
As technology continues to evolve, I believe we’ll continue to see improvements and growth in healthcare. I would not be surprised if, in the next 10 years, we’ll see more integration with personal medical devices and telehealth. For example, I could imagine a near future where a personal smartwatch could send the health data it collects to your medical provider so they can monitor your conditions in real time. Or maybe, Telemedicine and Telehealth appointments start being conducted in the Metaverse. As the systems grow and evolve, healthcare professionals will also need to continue to build their technology skills. There might even be whole new professions created in the industry, such as a job part IT and part Healthcare professional. I know some of these ideas might seem a little far-fetched right now, but I’m excited to see what advances might be made to help save more lives and increase care.
Along with the theme of my example about email, digital communication, in general, has probably been the largest change I have seen. Using technology to document medical notes, exchange information, and track patient care has prevented delays caused by paper charting. Electronic health record (EHR) and electronic medical record (EMR) systems provide a software solution for healthcare providers and patients. An outcome of the COVID pandemic was the increased use of virtual healthcare, and Telemedicine and Telehealth continue to be popular. Telemedicine and Telehealth are when patients and providers have their appointments using electronic communication. Tools like video conferencing or chat features allow healthcare services to be available without needing to be in person. Laptops and tablets are being used to access these IT systems. Some offices also have them installed in the exam rooms for real-time documentation. Healthcare professionals must be trained in how to use and operate these systems. In a previous company I worked for, a dedicated technology training team was designed specifically to help staff with the technology. The success of these technology solutions is dependent on their user's ability to use them. Often, having technology skills is a job requirement for healthcare professionals.
As technology continues to evolve, I believe we’ll continue to see improvements and growth in healthcare. I would not be surprised if, in the next 10 years, we’ll see more integration with personal medical devices and telehealth. For example, I could imagine a near future where a personal smartwatch could send the health data it collects to your medical provider so they can monitor your conditions in real time. Or maybe, Telemedicine and Telehealth appointments start being conducted in the Metaverse. As the systems grow and evolve, healthcare professionals will also need to continue to build their technology skills. There might even be whole new professions created in the industry, such as a job part IT and part Healthcare professional. I know some of these ideas might seem a little far-fetched right now, but I’m excited to see what advances might be made to help save more lives and increase care.
Reference
Haan, K, Main, K. (2022, August 18). EHR vs EMR: What's the Difference? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/ehr-vs-emr/
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