Technology should make it easier for Physicians to get their work done, right? I mean, it seems to work in all other industries and most other aspects of our lives. So, why should healthcare be any different? Well, the fact remains that healthcare is very different. Physicians are trained to be independent thinkers using all available data. Each patient looks for a personalized decision to improve their health and wellbeing. This autonomy of clinical practice is generally not compatible with most of today’s electronic health record (EHR) systems, which has led to a decrease in clinical efficiency and growing frustration for all care team members. While this individualized approach may seem beneficial, advances in medicine and surgery have identified uniform diagnostic and treatment protocols that lead to better patient outcomes in all disease categories. Further, regulatory and payor data collection requirements have added layers of additional burdens to health systems that require the use of standardized technology systems. Optimization is making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource. Within healthcare, this means EHR Optimization.
As healthcare systems look to optimize Physician workflows, they should invest in three key supporting roles to help ensure success.
To thrive in this new era of Big Data and complex technology, Physicians must fundamentally change the way they practice to meet the “quadrupole aim.” Optimizing workflows is an arduous journey, but if you bring the right people to the table, you can create win-win opportunities for both Physicians and Patients.