With the release of new technologies, the healthcare sector is ever-evolving and more revolutionary and dynamic than ever. Experienced healthcare professionals and patients are already benefiting from such remarkable innovations, which range from mobile health applications and wearable medical devices to telemedicine platforms.
James Paterek is witnessing this digital revolution firsthand. Paterek, the Chief Strategy Officer of Millbrook Support Services, Inc., a healthcare staffing and workforce solutions company, appreciates this prescription for a brighter and healthier future. Here, he shares his insight on how digital technology is shaping the future of the healthcare industry for providers and patients alike.
Cutting-edge digital technologies are transforming provider workflows and becoming fixtures in healthcare facilities like hospitals and nursing homes. James Paterek sees a number of trends kicking off the digital revolution in healthcare, allowing facilities and their staff to work more efficiently.
Telehealth is one of the leading benefits of digitization, enabling providers to meet with patients virtually and further bridging geographical gaps. Remote consultation helps lower facility costs and save providers time, Paterek notes. Similarly, the rise of virtual connectivity also gives providers access to more resources than ever, such as remote participation in conferences or panels relating to their specialties.
Similarly, the ability to monitor patients remotely — thanks to such improved technologies — is transforming outpatient care. Providers can track patient recovery in real-time, even as those patients recuperate in the comfort of their homes. This also allows healthcare facilities to provide inpatient treatment to higher-risk patients, which is crucial for facilities with limited space.
Mobile health applications and wearable health gadgets are also improving costs and efficiency for the healthcare industry. Devices like smartwatches, other digital health trackers, and mobile phone apps that track patient data like heart rate and sleep cycles give providers direct insight into health changes. Providers can diagnose and recommend treatment based on more accurate patient data, which saves both parties time and money in the long run.
Finally, one of the more significant impacts of digitization, James Paterek notes, is the streamlining of file management. Electronic health records (EHRs) save physical storage space and allow for seamless information sharing among different healthcare departments and entities – ensuring all involved parties have access to a comprehensive and up-to-date medical overview of a patient. This interconnectedness not only reduces the likelihood of medical errors but also enables a more coordinated and collaborative approach to healthcare.
The adoption of digital health solutions has notably reshaped patient care in various dimensions, Paterek explains.
First, the widespread embrace of digitization has led to greater healthcare accessibility. This is crucial for populations in hard-to-reach areas who have historically found it challenging to visit healthcare providers in person. Through telemedicine and other digital tools, geography becomes less of a barrier to patient care.
These digital tools are also preventative, Paterek explains, meaning that the technology can proactively catch problems by flagging irregular patterns or abnormal data. In many cases, early detection can drastically change patient outcomes.
Patients are also able to take newfound agency in their own health. Mobile applications and other wearable devices allow patients to learn about their bodies and directly manage symptoms they never had before, leading to better long-term health.
Finally, the increased efficiency brought about by digitization allows providers to spend more time with their patients – whether that be in-person or digital – enhancing the end-to-end patient experience.
Overall, Jim Paterek is optimistic about the rise of digital health solutions. He notes that the embrace of such tools will continue to benefit healthcare providers and patients alike. As these technologies continue to advance and improve in efficiency, Paterek anticipates even more groundbreaking strides in the years to come.
James Paterek was the founder & former Chairman of Comforce Corporation, a publicly traded human capital business. He also was the CEO of a human capital holding company. Currently, Paterek is the Chief Strategy Officer of Millbrook Support Services, Inc., a nationwide provider of healthcare staffing services and workforce solutions. Millbrook supplies physicians, nurses, advanced practice professionals, and allied health services to government agencies and commercial clients nationwide.
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