Workplace environment directly impacts productivity, a behavior of employees, focus and overall performance. The same goes for doctors who need to keep themselves calm all the time even under severe conditions that are probably managing many different patients and dealing with emergency cases. Though some of the factors are constant such as the location of the medical facility, relationship with colleagues, a population of the patients and payment structure, technology presents amazing solutions which ease the burden off the physicians.
And when it comes to amazing and innovative solutions, they don’t always come from outside but industry professionals usually come forth with surprising revelations that take things to the next level using technology. As far as healthcare is concerned, here’s how medical professionals can enhance their workspace and contribute to a friendly, stress-free environment.
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Go Digital
Being familiar with digital technology and tools is crucial in today’s connected world but it doesn’t mean you should break the bank and buy Oculus Rift for VR-based therapeutic procedures. Keep it simple and begin with small steps by enhancing the doctor-patient communication circle. Patients today prefer an online doctor who can be reached at the top of their fingers.
Indeed, telephone contacts are prioritized in emergencies but, scheduling a doctor’s appointment via email, instant messaging applications or social media platform further adds to the convenient, collaborating healthcare and technology for the best. Although the detailed diagnosis isn’t possible and not preferred for serious medical anomalies, patients can least have their initial examination of common conditions such as rash, coughs, common cold and so on.
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Telemedicine & Digital Devices
Digital healthcare has the potential to reach remote areas and places cut off physically by natural disasters. In fact, the healthcare industry in many nations experienced extraordinary boost through digital technology, empowering patients and medical professionals alike while catering to quality service. Brilliant healthcare solutions offer patients real-time consultations, video visits and even extract healthcare data from external sources such as online doctor and digital pharmacies.
Patients suffering from any particular chronic disease use digital health apps and devices for routine measurement of blood pressure and glucose levels which further adds to patient’s and doctor’s convenience.
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De-stressing tools
Cognitive hygiene and de-stressing are crucial to lead a happy life as well as participate actively in personal and work routines. It’s obvious that digital technology can’t reduce defined working hours of physicians and healthcare professionals, the tools can at-least lighten the burden. In fact, medical personnel usually experience a higher level of stress due to critical responsibilities and managing patients with varying anomalies.
A general study, however, concluded that micro-breaks between surgeries can increase the surgeon’s focus, performance, and productivity. Dedicate first 10-minutes of the day to yourself would definitely de-stress the mind and revitalizes the soul.
Meditation apps and VR-based therapies here are quite helpful to ease the anxiety with breathing sessions, clears the mind with soothing music and refreshes soul and body with serene visuals of nature such as mountains, flowers, clouds and various natural elements.
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Reduces Administrative Burden
Medical administration is quite similar to doing the dishes after a hearty meal or washing clothes; a daily burden which almost everyone would want to avoid or simply put off the shoulders. A study revealed that an average doctor spends almost nine hours per week with administration tasks where the highest proportion of strenuous paperwork is for psychiatrists closely followed by internists and general practitioners.
It’s most unfortunate that there isn’t any medical dishwasher, however; digital healthcare does have Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is a game changer. IBM has already released the Medical Sieve; an algorithm dedicated to the long-term exploratory project and set the stage for “cognitive assistance” of the next-generation. It comes with analytical and reasoning capabilities with extensive clinical expertise.
Voice assistants have the potential to save significant time for doctors that can be utilized on administrative tasks.
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Conclusion
There’s more to digital healthcare than meets the eye whereas the above details have only scratched the surface. Only exploiting the technology further would get you acquainted with the true potential.