Hospitals aren’t the only ones under pressure to become more efficient in how they deliver care.
Physician offices, too, are faced with the challenge of improving care outcomes and cost efficiency while keeping up with technological changes under meaningful use. And they’re employing some creative tactics to be able to make better use of their time and spend adequate time with patients — some doctors, for example, are offering shared appointments for people with similar conditions.
Others may be using some of these technologies that companies have developed (or are developing) specifically to make a physician’s work flow smoother and more efficient. In fact, a few of the examples below were actually developed by doctors themselves.
- Rapid point-of-care tests, like this one for pink eye. Rather than sending specimen samples to a lab and waiting for results, doctors with access to point-of-care tests may be able to save time and cut down on unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics. (Rapid Pathogen Systems)
- Software that helps electronically manage waiting lists to simplify the process of filling canceled appointments on short notice. This one also automates the process of following up with patients who cancel to remind them to reschedule their appointments. (SchedFull)
- Solutions that streamline patient referrals and create a more seamless process for sharing diagnostic images and retrieving patient records. (eHealth Technologies, 5 O’Clock Records)
- Automating tasks that don’t require a physician’s expertise such as refilling some prescriptions. (HealthFinch)
- Applications that make medical research more organized, searchable and accessible for physicians at the point of care. (ClinicalKey, Docphin)
- A new answering service that’s designed to replace forwarding services that route after-hours calls directly to doctors’ mobile phones. This company’s product makes it easier for doctors to screen and triage calls that come into the office after hours. (Ringadoc)
By Deanna Pogorelc MedCity News
Deanna Pogorelc is a Cleveland-based reporter who writes obsessively about life science startups across the country, looking to technology transfer offices, startup incubators and investment funds to see what’s next in healthcare. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and previously covered business and education for a northeast Indiana newspaper.More posts by Author
I do not ever need to visit a doctors office again. Thanks to <a href="http://www.drsmartphonemd.com">Dr. Smartphone</a>
Technology run-a-muck.... or at least perhaps more industry insight, experience should be mandatory for any company performing new technology market adaption. I find the mini medical app bubble exciting and unfortunately comical; akin to the late 90s and the dotcoms. We have seen this picture before, however; this time many of the apps, software technology companies are supported by angels, VCs that did make it out of the dotcom successfully are now doubling down on the medical arena. Most with little or no experience in medical or a market where customers decided where to spend dollars. The model they are used to for the most part is B to C not B to B which is what the medical industry is currently and the movement will continue. The issue is the payer side of the healthcare equation, for the most part Physicians/ Patients do not control the buy side.
Example a large Group Purchasing Organization recently sent out a letter to all facility stakeholders across their care spectrum, to include vendors. "if you are not on contract as of Feb 15th your product and/or services will no longer be purchased". Continued, "we will address any issues community (patients) and Physicians may have" .
It will be interesting to watch for sure. Look at one company mentioned above Ringadoc, great concept however neither the angels nor the operating team has any experience, in this market. Is it exciting technology or are they making news due to some "interesting" angel group tossed over 3m at an answering service?
Everyone has the right to their own ART right!