Introduction
The healthcare industry is one of the most lucrative industries, and it’s only getting bigger as our population grows and ages. That’s why any business or entrepreneur looking to earn serious profits should consider entering the healthcare technology market, which has been expanding at nearly twice the rate of the overall tech market over the past few years, according to recent studies. The leaders in this segment have earned some impressive profit margins—but don’t be intimidated! As long as you have a good understanding of how to approach this market, you can make an impact, too.
I.T. in healthcare is here to stay
Information Technology has taken a front seat in healthcare, with telemedicine, EMRs and other technological advances becoming increasingly common. In fact, many believe that IT will soon be integrated into every aspect of healthcare in America. PinkCloud Consulting is a healthcare consulting company working to change the way drug rehab centers and mental health clinics handle their I.T., from consulting services to a complete turnkey solution for all of their needs. With over thirty years of combined experience between our staff members, we’re experts at what we do. Give us a call today for more information on how you can use technology to your advantage.
The benefits of cloud computing
Cloud computing has been around for a while and is now well established in healthcare. The data driven system of services, medical records, and imaging allows for safe and secure data storage on the cloud. Cloud computing has opened up new opportunities for providers to offer mental health , behavioral health, and medical collaboration. Patients are able to access their medical records anywhere, anytime from their smartphones or tablets.
Data can be shared between the patient and provider without worry of security breaches or hacking attempts. Medical images can be delivered electronically to specialists and providers more quickly than ever before with minimal radiation exposure to patients.
The 5 key elements of an efficient healthcare system
Providers have to work together to develop a system that addresses these five key elements.
1) Coordinated care teams that include physicians, nurses, pharmacists and social workers
2) Electronic health records that keep patients’ information in one place
3) Telehealth as an alternative for patients who live too far from a hospital or doctor’s office
4) Behavioral health specialists who understand how mental illness can affect physical health
5) Mental health specialists who can help providers better identify and treat depression. This element is essential because of the link between physical and mental health. For example, research shows that individuals with chronic illnesses are more likely to suffer from severe depression than those without such conditions.
What’s next for healthcare information technology?
Advances in telehealth will dramatically change how doctors and patients interact. Electronic health records have been around for a long time, but in recent years there has been a push for more digitized medical information to be stored in an electronic format. Mental health and behavioral health are still largely misunderstood and under-researched fields of medicine, yet they make up a vast majority of all diagnoses. As research progresses, so too will our understanding of these diseases. Telehealth apps like iCliniq allow mental health providers to speak with clients over video chat anywhere at anytime, enabling them to work with people outside their typical geographic area or even across borders. One day, behavioral therapies could become a standard part of routine physical therapy treatment or rehabilitation.
Patient data management and interoperability are key components of digitized health care
We know more about mental health and behavioral health than ever before. There are also a number of innovations in healthcare technology that are shaping how medical professionals and patients communicate, share information, and interact with one another. For example, electronic health records may allow for better coordination of care between mental health specialists and primary care providers. More robust data management systems can provide patients with an improved sense of autonomy over their own treatment plans by giving them access to their own medical records. And digital tools like video consultations offer opportunities to diagnose and treat behavioral health conditions like depression or anxiety remotely, which expands options for rural communities where in-person mental health services may be difficult to come by.