It is common knowledge that digitalisation in healthcare allows for streamlined processes and faster turnaround, but what about the impact on the people who use it?
One of the most-significant effects is the ease and speed with which healthcare professionals can access patient information, allowing doctors and nurses to make better decisions, provide patient-centric care, and improve the overall quality of healthcare.
This also hugely improves collaboration between healthcare practitioners, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring that care is co-ordinated across different departments and services.
The current landscape
Digitalisation has transformed the way medical staff work by providing them with instant access to patient records, test results, and medical history. It also benefits patients by making healthcare more convenient and accessible.
In fact, between February and March 2020, COVID saw the number of patient record views rise by 62% - and it is something the Government is supporting.
In May of this year, it was announced that GP practices across England will be given £240m to embrace the latest technology so that patients have access to easy-to-use online tools, ensuring they get the care they need as soon as possible.
Online appointment booking systems and telemedicine platforms allow patients to schedule appointments from the comfort of their own homes.
And this is particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility issues, or those living in remote areas who may have difficulty accessing healthcare facilities.
Digitalisation has transformed the way medical staff work by providing them with instant access to patient records, test results, and medical history
In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), elderly people, or those with disabilities, have around twice the risk of developing conditions like depression, asthma, and diabetes, while also finding inaccessible and unaffordable transportation 15 times more difficult than for those without disabilities.
It is clear then that digitalisation in these cases has the power to encourage people to take an active role in managing their own health.
But the impact of this goes much further than improving convenience.
It also has the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery by enabling the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
These technologies can analyse large amounts of patient data to identify patterns and trends that may help in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
AI algorithms can also assist healthcare providers in making more-accurate predictions about patient outcomes and suggesting personalised treatment plans.
GP practices have been given £240m to help them embrace the latest technologies so that patients have access to online tools to improve their health and wellbeing
Forward-thinking tech in practice
Every patient’s healthcare needs are diverse, and often complicated, making the management of specialist services in the NHS crucial.
From urgent care in A&E, to careful diagnoses and referrals in GP surgeries, the healthcare system strives to provide comprehensive support.
A good example of where patient care and treatment can be diverse and complicated is in oncology units.
Patient’s treatment plans can span over several months to a year, and these plans are often filled with uncertainty, preventing establishing a stable routine or forward planning.
Even with the best of efforts in treatment planning, numerous variables, often unpredictable, can influence the course of care, leading to significant changes over time.
And it can be challenging for both patient and clinical staff to maintain consistent and predictable healthcare interactions.
Fortunately, one aspect that can be effectively managed is appointment scheduling.
By implementing efficient systems, patients have the opportunity to plan their daily lives with greater ease.
Even with the best of efforts in treatment planning, numerous variables, often unpredictable, can influence the course of care, leading to significant changes over time
Currently, various day units across the country rely on disparate spreadsheets or Outlook calendars to manage their schedules.
Even for patients requiring regular trips to the clinic for long-term treatment, appointment slots are not specific, often limited to vague ‘am’ or ‘pm’ timeframes.
Room scheduling tools, for example, are helping to deliver improved patient care and maximising efficiency within hospitals
Without the use of specialised technology or data, it becomes nearly impossible to account for variables such as chair availability, staff schedules, and unexpected changes to planned treatments. It’s a small feature that makes a huge difference.
However, with the benefits of digitalisation come challenges and concerns.
Patient support and regulation
Lloyds Bank’s UK Consumer Digital Index found that 27% of people (14 million) have the lowest digital capability. This means they don’t have regular access to a device or the skills and confidence to turn on a device in the first place.
The widespread adoption of electronic health records also raises concerns about patient privacy and data security.
While robust security measures are in place to protect sensitive patient information, there should also be an emphasis on patient agency and consent when it comes to regulation. For example, requirements for informed consent for new uses of data and the right to withdraw data should be clearly communicated and made simple for all.
Despite this, digitalisation in healthcare has had a profound impact on both medical staff and patients.
Room scheduling tools may seem relatively inconsequential, but they can have a significant impact on delivering better patient care in hospitals, particularly in departments like oncology, renal, and outpatient care, where precise booking times are necessary
But it is important we continue to address challenges and ensure that the benefits of technology are maximised, and that healthcare remains equitable for all.
Room scheduling tools may seem relatively inconsequential, but they can have a significant impact on delivering better patient care in hospitals, particularly in departments like oncology, renal, and outpatient care, where precise booking times are necessary.
With a scheduling tool, oncology and renal departments can optimise the allocation of resources, including rooms, equipment, and staff, thereby improving overall efficiency.
This ensures that the right resources are available when needed, minimising delays and improving the delivery of treatments.
This sort of technology plays a vital role in ensuring efficient and timely care delivery.
By providing patients with precise booking times, hospitals can enhance patient experience, optimise resources, improve treatment planning, and ultimately deliver better care.
As technology continues to advance, healthcare digitalisation will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.