Technology on Mobile Devices: A Blessing or a Burden for Physicians?
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Catchy headline alert! In the buzzing world of healthcare, smartphones have become the new stethoscope, aiding doctors in a slew of tasks – from documentation to direct patient care. But, much like their medical cousin, these devices can also be a double-edged sword.
Dr. Bryan Vartabedian, M.D., embraces this technology like a modern-day swashbuckler. As the director of community medicine in Texas Children's Hospital's Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition division, this digital maverick recognizes the transformative power of modern technology in successful medicine. That's why he's got a blog dedicated to the intersection of health and digital culture.
As we chat with Dr. Vartabedian, let's explore the cutting-edge tech trends he experiences in his practice, and discover how he keeps his patients informed while juggling their high expectations around his 24/7 availability.
Riding the Tech Wave
Technology certainly isn't new in the medical field, but it's still a struggle for many physicians to keep up. A 2014 study found that only 59 percent of doctors have fully adopted Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in their offices, despite their US mandate.
For Dr. Vartabedian, the technology revolution came with Epic, a hospital-wide EMR system paired with the Canto app, which grants him near-constant access to patient records, scheduling, and more. He can even snap photos of rashes or other clinical conditions with his smartphone, which magically appear in the patient's EMR.
Whether it's signing off on patient records or approving nurses' orders, convenience is king. "The revolutionary ability to connect independent of my clinical space is transformative," Dr. Vartabedian says, acknowledging that such advantages didn't even exist a few years back.
In fact, it's only recently that Dr. Vartabedian ditched his pager for HIPAA-compliant messaging app Spok – a move that now allows him to engage in lifesaving text conversations with other providers regarding critical patients.
Communication is Key
When it comes to healthcare, clear and concise communication can mean the difference between life and death. During complex patient cases at tertiary hospitals, immediate communication about the patient's condition can have an astounding impact. Spok, with its privacy features, assists Dr. Vartabedian in achieving that comms goal.
But not all doctors have jumped onto the privacy-protected messaging bandwagon. It's common to find physicians who stick to their phone's native messaging apps, which store communications on standard servers without privacy protection. Dr. Vartabedian concludes that more feature-rich proprietary apps will undoubtedly become popular among healthcare providers.
When interacting with patients, mobile technology can be a valuable resource. "In-exam room access to the Internet is helpful for immediate references," says Dr. Vartabedian. While it's essential to maintain a certain level of digital mindfulness, having access to up-to-date information can significantly improve patient treatment.
Powerful Personal Tools
From simple drug information lookups to specific diagnosis and treatment data, mobile tech's everyday uses in healthcare are abundant. However, doctors must be mindful of how they interact with these devices to avoid appearing as though they're disengaged from their patients. Dr. Vartabedian recommends setting aside a brief initial period for data gathering on the computer, before diving into one-on-one patient interaction.
Empower Yourself
Technology's expanded role in modern healthcare has placed patients in the driver's seat. More and more are turning to wearables, genetic testing, and other consumer tech to take control of their health. While there are potential drawbacks, Dr. Vartabedian believes that patients are becoming smarter and developing healthier relationships with online information.
But, as medicine becomes increasingly personalized, new challenges are on the horizon. One such challenge involves patients bringing their consumer data to medical appointments and expecting analysis and recommendations based on the data. Despite its complexities, Dr. Vartabedian sees these personalized medicine requests increasing in future healthcare scenarios.
"It's going to provide a point of tension between doctor and patient unless patients understand, upfront, that it is not within their healthcare provider's purview to help them deal with their personal technology," warns Dr. Vartabedian. Proper education and understanding are essential to ensure both doctor and patient benefit from the tech revolution.
A Blessing and a Curse
Technology has both beneficial and detrimental impacts on healthcare – and, as a proponent, Dr. Vartabedian recognizes this. For instance, improved patient-doctor communication can foster a closer bond. Showing patients images of their medication dosages, for instance, can create a personal, empowering experience.
However, this newfound access can lead to unrealistic patient expectations, pressuring doctors to respond instantly. Dr. Vartabedian manages these expectations by informing patients when they can expect a response (typically, by the end of the day). He emphasizes it's crucial to strike a delicate balance between patient connection and technology usage.
So, there you have it! In the rapidly-evolving tech landscape, healthcare professionals must strike that delicate balance to remain effective in their roles. And while Dr. Vartabedian expects technology's role in healthcare to only increase in years to come, he firmly believes that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Imagine a world where tech takes care of routine tasks, leaving medical professionals free to focus on providing expert care and compassion to their patients. The future is inevitable – and, judging by Dr. Vartabedian's enthusiasm, it's an exciting one!
Here are the sentences containing both 'patient care' and 'technology':
- "Technology, like smartphones, aids doctors in a slew of tasks - from documentation to direct patient care."
- "In fact, it's only recently that Dr. Vartabedian ditched his pager for HIPAA-compliant messaging app Spok – a move that now allows him to engage in lifesaving text conversations with other providers regarding critical patients."
