How Technology is Shaping the Healthcare Industry

Updated on May 26, 2021

Technology has caused a lot of industries to adapt due to the disruption certain software and hardware has brought to society, and the healthcare industry is no different. For those of you who have a career in healthcare, the inclusion of technology has made the healthcare industry more accurate and allowed workers to provide a better level of care to their patients. Not sure how technology has or is about to impact the healthcare industry? The following guide is here to help explain how technology has already impacted the healthcare industry and how it will continue to shape the healthcare sector.

Improved Lines of Communication

Communication is key within the healthcare industry as it allows workers to understand one another better and also speak with their patients candidly and provide them with the right information. Being unable to explain what is happening, what is wrong, and how a patient needs to treat an illness can lead to miscommunication. Miscommunication can cause mistakes – some of which are small, others of which may have life threatening consequences. 

Digital communication has led to better communication between employees and patients. Nowadays, healthcare workers do not rely on beepers but will instead use email, smartphones, and even text messaging. They may also record themselves providing important health-related advice that can then be uploaded online or emailed to their patients. Healthcare workers can communicate with one another as well as their patients much more efficiently due to the improvements within the digital technology sphere. 

Greater Access to Medical Information

Technology has improved access to medical information for both patients and healthcare workers alike. Patients and healthcare workers can now speak to one another through video calls and apps. Telemedicine can help patients get virtual care from certain providers, making it much more accessible for all. Telemedicine providers such as Reliant Urgent Care (https://www.relianturgentcare.com/) are a prime example of how technology can provide the public with a greater access to medical information.

Furthermore, technology has allowed for healthcare workers to utilize electronic health records that make maintaining patient medical records much easier and more reliable and accurate. What’s more, medical records can be easily passed between healthcare clinics and hospitals, making referring patients much easier and streamlined. Electronic health records have made life easier for patients and healthcare workers.  

Greater Access to Medical Information

Technology has allowed there to be a greater amount and improved access to medical information. Nowadays, healthcare professionals can easily access and retrieve patient records and read the data much more quickly than before. What’s more, the intranet has provided healthcare workers with the tools to easily share medical information between one another. This information can be the latest medical breakthroughs, for example.

Technology will continue to shape and streamline the healthcare industry. Therefore, it is essential that you welcome any technological changes that can help rather than hinder your career in healthcare.

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