It’s likely that your medical practice already relies on technology for a smooth operational flow. But who questions what you have and what you need? It’s easy to drift along using old technology, and it’s equally easy to rush into the next great thing. Medical design and fit-out company Evoke Projects looks at the advances in medical technology and offers advice for creating a smarter practice.
An entertaining article by Harold Thimbleby reflects on medical time travellers from a 19th century hospital arriving in the 21st century. He notes that very little has changed since the 19th century in terms of medical culture, hierarchies, post-mortems and hovering lawyers. Only technology, or “modern magic” as he calls it, has truly revolutionised patient care. Infusion pumps, heart valves, scanners, defibrillators and patented pharmaceuticals have changed our world.1
Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and the Internet of Things will play an important role in emerging technologies. It’s likely that the pace of change will increase rapidly. Wearables are quickly changing the face of remote care, detection and early warning alerts. In fact, wearables showed an impressive 94% accuracy in the world’s largest heart-health research project which screened 10 thousand people for suspected atrial fibrillation.2
As well as medical technology, practice technology is constantly evolving. Virtual healthcare assistants and chatbots are helping with appointments and more. Technology can manage stock levels and patient data. Additional patient services are possible via wellness and practice management software. Nowadays, initial screening for physical and mental health issues is often available at a practice rather than needing a specialist referral thanks to the technology that is available.
Harold Thimbleby writes about the “constant struggle to keep up” and how “solutions that excited us yesterday are already in landfill”. This is as relevant to practice technology as it is to medical technology. Technology is only effective if people utilise it to its full potential. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water… Similarly, you can provide medical software for patient information, but a human has to input and use the data effectively. You can launch an app, but patients need to create an account and put it into action. People have been the downfall of many a great technological idea!
The medical design team at Evoke Projects recommend these steps for evaluating technology.
1. Define your objectives and goals. Try to be specific, e.g., if operational efficiency is an objective, what is your specific goal?
2. Research each technology option and evaluate how it will meet your objectives and goals. It may be useful to develop priorities and ranking criteria.
3. In addition to your business objectives, evaluate each technology for:
• ease of use
• security
• scalability
• flexibility
• user reviews
• supplier reputation
• tech support
• cost/benefit.
Develop a shortlist.
5. Invite staff who will use the technology to undertake further evaluation of your shortlist. Staff enthusiasm will greatly improve the implementation phase.
6. Organise a trial of the technology before committing.
7. Implement the technology in a methodical way, ensuring staff are trained and supported in its use.
8. Once in use, evaluate the effectiveness of the technology against your objectives, adjusting its use as required.
Technology has so much potential to change patient care, practice productivity and profitability. The smart practice evaluates and implements technology that supports its objectives, with potential to grow and adapt as the business changes.
For more information on creating a smart practice, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.
