When computer technology became more affordable and available in the 1980s, healthcare software began to evolve. Medical records were made portable, which helped clinicians to communicate more effectively with one another.
This system also facilitated efficient coordination of healthcare teams, resulting in better patient outcomes. It led to specialized occupational health EHR programs and physical therapy software, among other healthcare tools designed to meet specific industry needs.
Medical Billing
Medical billing has traditionally been a manual process. The advent of medical software development has streamlined this into electronic systems that optimize accuracy and efficiency. Medical practices can now use medical practice management software to automate administrative tasks and eliminate paper, allowing staff to spend more time on patient care.
Communication in healthcare has also benefited from the rise of digital technologies. Gone are the days when hospitals relied on fax machines and pagers to communicate with their teams. Now, clinicians can easily reach out to their teams via secure mobile and web-based communication tools. This allows for real-time updates and faster response times, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.
Another big advantage of modern healthcare technology is that it has made the transition to virtual healthcare much easier for patients. Various telemedicine platforms help patients with untangling insurance coverage and reimbursement details, deciphering clinical jargon, and improving their overall experience with the medical system.
In addition, healthcare organizations have a myriad of software solutions to manage the operational workflow. This includes everything from appointment scheduling and registration to medical billing procedures. Many of these systems are custom-built to align with the unique needs and workflows of each healthcare organization, allowing them to operate smoothly with minimal manual errors.
The field of healthcare software also comprises specialized digital tools for particular clinical functions, such as occupational health EMR software or physical therapy EMR software. These specific tools have a higher level of regulatory oversight than the broader class of SaMD (software as a medical device) devices that support hardware through clinician and patient-facing interfaces.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
In the past, medical records were kept on paper in massive file cabinets across healthcare organizations. The EHR system aims to digitalize these records and make them easily accessible by both healthcare providers and patients. It helps reduce the amount of paperwork, and allows for more accurate data analysis and decision making. It also improves patient safety, reducing the risk of errors and miscommunication.
The development of the EHR is a direct result of technological advances in the industry and its increasing need for efficiency and productivity. In addition to reducing the need for manual paperwork and faxing, it can help reduce the time it takes to find and retrieve information. It can also automate tasks that consume large portions of a healthcare provider’s workday, freeing them up to focus on more important duties or reduce staffing levels.
Unlike early systems that used minicomputers and large mainframe computers, modern EHRs use personal computer software and local area networks to store, transmit, and access healthcare data. This enables clinicians to view medical notes, consults, orders, radiological studies, laboratory data, direct patient measurements, nursing assessments and notes, and clinical procedures. EHRs can also include tools for drug references, a library of medical articles, CDS, and electronic communication.
Oftentimes, EHRs can be interfaced or integrated with external registries that collect and report on healthcare-related data such as claims and clinical quality measures. Some of these registries are mandated by federal agencies while others are voluntary. Currently, the most common types of data extracted from EHRs and imported to registries are patient identifiers, demographics, diagnoses, medications, procedures, lab results, utilization events, and more.
Telemedicine
With technologies evolving at such a fast pace, healthcare professionals are constantly looking for ways to enhance their workflows and diagnostic accuracy. For years, doctors and patients have been looking to advanced telecommunications and computer technology to deliver care. One way to do this is by exploring innovative software tools for medicine, which offer new capabilities in everything from data management to virtual consultations. These technologies have evolved into telemedicine, which uses video and audio data transfer to connect a patient with a doctor remotely. Unlike mainstream health information technologies, which focus on documenting and storing data, the telemedicine model also includes clinical services and support.
The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the shift to a virtual clinic model, which allows patients to receive most of their medical treatment at home rather than in a hospital or other healthcare facility. This model has been supported by massive investments in telemedicine systems and by technology innovations, including AI-enabled remote monitoring, voice-activated medical devices, and augmented reality (AR).
In 2035, the virtual care model will continue to evolve into an integrated experience for both patients and providers. It will provide a single point of access to a suite of healthcare apps on a patient’s smartphone. These healthcare apps will include a patient portal, digital front door, a virtual care coordinator, and a unified communications system.
As a result, patients can access their healthcare in the comfort of their own homes, where they will be able to receive treatment for a wide range of conditions. Physicians will also benefit from the ease of access to their patients, which can reduce wait times and enable them to see more patients. For example, telemedicine can be used to help triage patients in the emergency room and urgent care environment, which are known for long wait times and overcrowding. Using tele-triage, physicians can consult with off-site experts to determine the urgency of each patient’s condition and make more informed decisions.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
RPM allows patients to monitor their own health by using devices that send data to a healthcare provider’s system. These devices can range from consumer wearables to continuous glucose monitors for diabetics. These tools are useful for tracking chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, but they can also be used to help manage acute and urgent conditions like asthma and COPD.
RPM has been shown to offer a number of benefits, including increased patient engagement and autonomy, better communication, and reduced costs. However, implementing and leveraging RPM technology requires careful planning and execution to ensure that patients are safe and supported. For example, when a device needs to be on continuously for monitoring purposes, it is crucial that the battery can last all day and night. Otherwise, the device could run out of power or lose connectivity, leading to a lack of real-time data collection and a loss of functionality.
One area where RPM can be especially effective is in the context of social determinants of health, which refers to socioeconomic factors that affect the health of individuals. For instance, many people struggle to access healthcare services because they don’t have the means to do so. For these individuals, remote patient monitoring can be an invaluable tool that helps break down barriers to accessing care.
Moreover, when RPM systems are integrated with EHRs, healthcare practitioners can easily leverage this data to enhance the care that they provide to their patients. They can use this information to develop and implement treatment strategies that are more targeted, efficient, and individualized. This is particularly important when it comes to managing complex, chronic conditions. This approach can also reduce costs by limiting the need for costly in-person consultations and hospital readmissions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a crucial healthcare software development technology that streamlines various processes within healthcare facilities. Moreover, this technology enhances the patient experience and boosts clinical decision-making. Furthermore, healthcare AI software can detect patterns in medical data and predict future health risks – hence, enabling physicians to take proactive actions to prevent illnesses and improve patient outcomes.
One of the most visible applications of healthcare AI is in disease diagnosis. For example, a recent study showed that AI-utilized mammogram interpretation reduced the number of false positives and negatives compared to radiologists. Furthermore, it was able to accurately identify the presence of cancerous tissues in breast tissue with higher sensitivity.
Moreover, the use of AI in healthcare has also increased diagnostic accuracy, speed, and cost-efficiency. Healthcare AI solutions have the ability to automatically analyse large amounts of medical data and retrieve relevant information from different sources, such as drug databases, medical journals, and clinical guidelines. This helps in reducing the time spent by clinicians and administrative staff on manual tasks.
However, there are some challenges that come with the use of healthcare AI. One of these is the ethical considerations that come with this type of technology. Another issue is the need for human expertise in order to create and develop healthcare AI tools that are unbiased, accurate, and effective.
