By Ayush Sharma
With a growing population, we need a robust healthcare system that can meet the growing needs of patients. It has been seen during the coronavirus pandemic that when the world has slowed down, healthcare services have been instrumental in bringing lives back on track. This happened due to the great role of technology, which decentralized healthcare, ensured access to remote areas and helped to track the spread of viruses across the country. Therefore, the efficiency of technology integration cannot be compromised in today’s digital age.
With the rapid advances in technology, the medical industry has undergone numerous transformations in recent years and as a result, patient care, medical records management, equipment and much more have been revolutionized. Additionally, innovations such as electronic health records, technology-enabled infrastructure, and app-based queries have improved diagnostic accuracy, improved patient outcomes, and simplified administrative procedures.
Digitization of Medical Records
In a country where we have a vast and diverse population, managing and streamlining medical records is the need of the moment. In this regard, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are a viable solution. Compared to paper-based medical records, an EHR facilitates management, storage and access to patient data and information for medical specialists and leads to better coordination of care. With the digitization of health records, medical professionals can make informed decisions, which results in better diagnoses and treatment plans. It also makes a significant contribution to in-depth medical research, providing policymakers with invaluable medical data. As a result, it can be used as an efficient tool to bridge the gap between rural and urban health facilities, expanding the reach of information to doctors operating in different parts of India. As the country looks to overcome its health challenges, EHRs can be a viable method to share information and improve overall patient care.
Technology-driven infrastructure
Today, technology is responsible for changing traditional medical practices and infrastructure. Unlike traditional medical facilities that required huge upfront costs, trained staff and equipment, new-age coworking spaces for doctors have emerged that serve the same purpose but at a much lower cost. India today requires a robust infrastructure system, and these technology-enabled spaces are a viable solution for doctors who want to start their medical practices. These new age medical clinics can have shared resources, which can include medical equipment, trained staff and medical records, which optimizes resource allocation. The infrastructure is empowered with cutting-edge technologies such as telemedicine, EHRs, and digital scheduling systems that can simplify patient care, improve records management, and increase healthcare efficiency. What it does for the patients is that they get all medical specialists under one roof, which allows access to a wide range of medical facilities.
Application based query
It is evident that coworking spaces are allowing physicians to conduct their medical practices transparently and cost-effectively. In addition to a well-maintained infrastructure, these coworking spaces also provide specialized applications for medical specialists, who can leverage them to establish a better connection with their patients. With features such as scheduling patient visits and setting clinic hours, the app allows physicians to streamline their daily operations and facilitate patient appointments. They also get all the necessary information like patient records, billing, prescriptions and more at their fingertips, making their clinical operations seamless. In addition, app-based queries were also made possible through a “PHYGITAL” model that allowed patients to reach doctors from the comfort of their homes. This not only reduced patient waiting times, but also allowed for earlier detection of disease, resulting in better treatments. Patients can use apps to track their doctor appointments, get reminders and easily access their exams. Consecutively, doctors can communicate efficiently using these applications while recording their patients’ vital signs, keeping records of appointments and achieving better efficiency in procedures.
In a country where we have a vast and diverse population, managing and streamlining medical records is the need of the moment. In this regard, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are a viable solution. Compared to paper-based medical records, an EHR facilitates management, storage and access to patient data and information for medical specialists and leads to better coordination of care. With the digitization of health records, medical professionals can make informed decisions, which results in better diagnoses and treatment plans. It also makes a significant contribution to in-depth medical research, providing valuable medical data for policymakers. As a result, it can be used as an efficient tool to bridge the gap between rural and urban health facilities, expanding the reach of information to doctors operating in different parts of India. As the country looks to overcome its health challenges, EHRs can be a viable method to share information and improve overall patient care.
Tomorrow’s Health
Today, healthcare is undergoing a shift thanks to innovations such as electronic health records (EHRs), application-based consultations, and technology-driven infrastructure. These changes provide healthcare professionals with the resources they need to improve the quality of their care and operate more nimbly. As a result, it is clear that modern trends in healthcare technology are having a significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare spending.
Looking ahead, the healthcare industry will reap significant benefits from a range of current and emerging technologies. The infrastructure will be strengthened as the healthcare sector develops with the help of several modern coworking spaces, equipped with cutting-edge technology, trained medical staff and shared resources that will help doctors serve more patients in a cost-effective manner. With this, we will have access to a health system that works in parallel with what we currently have, collectively enhancing the entire landscape.
(The author is the co-founder of Aartas Clinishare, a medical workspace company that aims to trade clinics for doctors.)
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