Future of Health IT
Science has given us many gifts, including significant advances in the healthcare industry; EHR systems have enabled healthcare services 
to become cheaper and faster than before. Interoperability for different stakeholders of the health care industry such as providers and pharmacies, creates a sense of trust among the entire healthcare ring.
Decision making tools such as the clinical decision support tools (CDS) facilitate providers in delivering prompt care to patients with greater accuracy. Such innovations have only been made possible through the progress of science and technology. Here is a list of the expected trends in the healthcare industry by the year 2020.
1. Creation of specialized units for fast-tracking healthcare services
Large-scale hospitals are being converted into specialized units, such as the ambulatory services units, oncology units and neurology units etc. This trend has introduced the need for a specialty-specific EHR; which exclusively covers the specialty based template requirements for specialists. Due to the availability of such support and ease, providers are able to significantly improve the quality of their services and therefore they are able to see more patients within the same time slot.
2. Ever increasing adoption of the EHR technology among hospitals and practices
According to the HealthIT.gov’s statistics, the adoption rate of certified EHRs has risen from a percentage of 71.9% in the year 2011 to a commendable 96% in the year 2015. Hospitals and providers, both, are shifting to the use of a certified EHR solution due to the potential benefits which come along with it. E-prescriptions with an updated knowledgebase, render the prescribing process smooth without any unnecessary interruptions.
3. Preemptive approach for gene abnormalities
Eliminating mistakes even before they take place, is something which was considered to be impossible before. Scientists are now editing disease genes present in human embryos, with remarkable success rates – two-thirds of the embryos had their genes removed successfully. For families which have been affected by genetic diseases throughout generations, such a research is a blessing in disguise.
4. Cyber security breaches result in compromised user data
Credible health information is quite valuable, hence the need for its protection against cyber threats. According to Fortinet’s Q4 2017 Global Threat Landscape Report, the healthcare industry has seen a massive 82% increase in cyber-attacks. This doesn’t end here, the amount of malware being targeted towards organizations in the healthcare sector is also increasing at a steady rate of 25%. More interesting is the fact that about 10% of such attacks are triggered by botnets – a group of computers controlled through a malicious software, with the sole purpose of sending out spam.
5. Emerging therapies make way for better treatment plans
Day in day out, we hear about cutting edge research making news with regard to newer and better treatment methodologies. Recently, Immuno-oncology has drawn focus on the immuno-strengthening strategies for cancer patients. This treatment approach focuses on improving the body’s chances against the disease. This therapy is being considered as an alternative to chemo, with a steady success rate in some patients.
6. E-measures automating the future
Measures are there for regulating the quality of healthcare being provided to the patients; how satisfied do they feel after being checked and how well the general is population doing, are some of the common measures amongst the list of quality measures. Electronic measures are here to replace paper based measures for good. Not only do they improve quality but streamline workflows, through the provision of a thorough comparison between the outcomes and the providers’ performance.
7. Wearable technology is facilitating providers and patients seamlessly
In recent years, wearable technology has been transcending the potential of existing technologies especially in the healthcare sector. With applications in various fields of medicine such as oncology and neurology, it is proving to be fruitful for patients in many ways - facilitating them in scheduling appointments with providers, tracking their health and much more.
8. Artificial Intelligence opens the door to unexplored avenues
Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly reduced the time spent by providers in diagnosis and treatment of patients, enabling them to perform better in the same time frame. Generation of potential insights from patient data results in better preventive treatment and reduced health issues. Other applications of AI include virtual nurses, creation of drugs, and monitoring of patients in real time during treatment etc.
Alex Tate has been working with the CureMD an EHR company of the Healthcare industry for over four years. His experience in working with independently owned physician practices and medical groups has provided the foundation for his successful work. His vision and ability to nurture relationships lead to long-term solutions and success.
