The real-world value of technology: How assistive solutions are giving clinicians more time to care

Physicians spend significant time performing nonpatient-facing tasks like documentation, that are necessary but ultimately take time away from one-to-one patient care.

Technology solutions powered by artificial intelligence can reduce the amount of time spent away from the patient, vastly improving both their experience, and the physician’s.

As part of the Becker's Hospital Review 11th Annual Meeting, Travis Bias, DO, Medical Director of Clinician Solutions for event sponsor 3M Healthcare Information Systems (3M HIS), shared industry insights and expertise with hospital leaders during a May 17 roundtable.

Five key takeaways:

1. The multiple demands on physicians can fracture their time and attention. Physicians are asked to do more than just provide patient care; they are tasked with capturing the clinical complexity of their patient population. Although the time spent on additional tasks can improve the overall efficiency and efficacy of the health system, it adds to the workload and stress of the physician. "We know the demands pulling the physicians in different directions are great," Dr. Bias said. "Because of that, we have to be really clear about how their time is prioritized."

2. Reducing unnecessary technology interruptions improves the patient and physician experience. Interruptions, especially those requiring task switching, can be extremely disruptive. Digital tools like the solutions offered by 3M HIS significantly decrease those interruptions by unifying and/or automating workflows. This frees up time for the physicians to focus on patient care.

3. Physician buy-in is critical for successful healthcare technology solutions. In order for a technology solution to make a meaningful difference, physicians need to be willing to use the solution. While executive leadership is a key factor in encouraging use, clinicians are most likely to use tools if they understand how they will benefit their jobs, and if the solutions are easy and efficient to use.

4. The pandemic may have removed the technology trust barrier. Healthcare providers and patients alike were forced to make a quick shift from in-person visits to telehealth visits. The successful and speedy adoption of telemedicine could prove beneficial for other technologies, removing any reservations or barriers commonly seen as healthcare systems roll out new solutions.

5. Digital transformation enables healthcare providers to improve delivery of care. Whether it's tracking the patient journey throughout the health system, visiting patients through telemedicine or remote patient monitoring through wearable technology, digital solutions can improve the patient and physician experience. Digital transformation can meet patients where they are, identify gaps in care and improve the overall quality of care, benefiting the patient, the physician and the bottom line.

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