485 - Can digital clinical solutions enhance the retention and recruitment of clinicians?
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, key figures in healthcare technology discuss the essential role digital solutions play in improving clinician retention and recruitment.
The conversation between host Peter Birch , Steven Parrish , Chief Medical Information Officer at Dedalus , and Viti Handyside , Product Manager for ORBIS EMR at Dedalus, explores the current challenges faced by healthcare professionals and how innovative digital tools can offer much-needed support.
This episode was recorded live with a virtual audience who helped shape the discussion with their questions and discussions in the chat.
Exploring Healthcare Workforce Challenges
Healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with workforce shortages, a problem exacerbated by an ageing workforce and the extensive time required to train new clinicians. Projections suggest that by 2030, the global healthcare sector will need an additional 14 million health professionals to meet demand, with Australia alone requiring 100,000 more nurses by 2025. Compounding this issue is the increasing rate of clinician burnout, often driven by administrative burdens and inefficient workflows.
Addressing these challenges is essential, as technology should alleviate burdens rather than add to them. This emphasises the need for tools that simplify tasks, reduce burnout, and improve job satisfaction among healthcare providers.
The Role of Digital Health Solutions
Digital health solutions, such as Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and telehealth platforms, have immense potential to transform clinical workflows and enhance patient care. However, traditional EMRs can be cumbersome, requiring clinicians to navigate multiple screens to gather patient information. This inefficiency can hinder clinical decision-making and increase frustration among healthcare workers.
User-friendly technological solutions are essential in clinical software to improve accuracy, safety, and efficiency in healthcare services while supporting patient-centred care. By designing intuitive systems that align with clinical workflows and create a supportive work environment, healthcare organisations can enhance staff retention and recruitment.
The Impact of Telehealth in Post-COVID Healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, showcasing its potential to provide accessible care while minimising physical contact. However, post-COVID, certain telehealth incentives, such as the Medicare rebate, ceased in Australia, impacting telehealth's adoption and efficiency. The discontinuation of incentives reveals the importance of supporting telehealth to maintain its benefits in the healthcare system.
Balancing Clinical Workflows and Patient Needs
An essential aspect of effective digital health solutions is their ability to balance clinician workflows with patient needs. AI, dashboards, and telehealth are pivotal technologies that can streamline clinical tasks, eliminating redundant documentation and enhancing patient engagement. For instance, Steven Parrish shares a personal example of Australia's healthcare system requiring in-person visits for repeat prescriptions, contrasting it with New Zealand's more streamlined digital service.
Such examples highlight the potential for digital solutions to simplify processes and enhance patient care. He advocates for involving both clinicians and patients in discussions about technological advancements. Incorporating clinician and patient feedback ensures that the technology supports clinical tasks and enhances user satisfaction.
Improving Communication and Information Sharing
Efficient communication and information sharing are critical to addressing fragmentation in healthcare services. Viti Handyside believes in leveraging technology to bridge communication gaps and foster efficient information sharing through apps and patient portals. These tools can enhance the accuracy and timeliness of information, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The Role of Training and Customisation
Training and customising technology solutions to suit clinical workflows are vital for their successful implementation. Healthcare organisations must invest in training programs that equip clinicians with the skills to utilise digital tools effectively.
Providing healthcare staff with ongoing training and engaging career opportunities is crucial for reducing burnout and turnover. Healthcare providers can create a more resilient and satisfied workforce by offering comprehensive training and support.
Enhancing Clinician Satisfaction with EMRs
Clinician satisfaction with EMRs varies across different care settings. Research by Griffith University reveals that doctors are generally satisfied with primary care EMRs, whereas nurses are less content. Conversely, in secondary and tertiary care, the situation is often reversed. This disparity underscores the need to tailor EMR solutions to specific clinical settings, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of healthcare professionals.
Engaging with end users and addressing their pain points is crucial for adapting EMR systems. By incorporating clinician feedback, healthcare organisations can develop more effective, user-friendly solutions that enhance clinical workflows and reduce frustration.
Addressing Burnout with Digital Innovations
Clinician burnout is a significant challenge, often exacerbated by poorly designed technology that does not fit their work needs. Smarter strategies in managing workforce challenges are essential for improving clinician satisfaction and reducing burnout.
Peter Birch highlights that clinician burnout is a pressing issue that needs smarter strategies in technology implementation to alleviate. Digital solutions should focus on simplifying tasks and reducing administrative burdens, allowing clinicians to devote more time to patient care.
The Transformative Potential of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a transformative tool in healthcare, capable of streamlining information-gathering processes and aiding clinical decision-making. AI can assist in tasks such as creating doctor's notes and discharge summaries, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care rather than administrative duties.
AI should be an enabler, not a standalone solution. It should support clinical workflows, enhancing the clinician's role rather than replacing it. Effective governance is essential to avoid inaccuracies and ensure AI's responsible and ethical deployment in healthcare.
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Addressing Rural Healthcare Challenges
Rural areas face unique healthcare challenges, including geographic isolation and limited access to technology. Paper-based processes often prevail, further straining clinicians. Digital solutions can significantly improve access to care and facilitate information sharing across vast regions like Australia.
Healthcare systems must ensure that technology is accessible and user-friendly for rural healthcare providers. Implementing solutions that reduce administrative burdens and enable remote healthcare provision can enhance care delivery and outcomes in these regions.
Fostering a Collaborative Approach
Collaboration among clinicians, technologists, and healthcare organisations is vital for successfully implementing digital solutions. Effective collaboration with vendors is crucial for achieving optimal solutions within existing constraints.
Organisational conversations are necessary to identify clinical challenges and determine where technology can and cannot assist. By fostering a collaborative approach, healthcare providers can develop and implement technology that effectively addresses clinical needs and enhances patient care.
Ensuring Patient-Centred Care
Moving towards a patient-inclusive healthcare model is essential for improving care outcomes. Shared information via patient portals ensures that all clinical contributors have access to complete patient data across various devices. This approach enhances the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of healthcare services.
Technological solutions should support workplace culture and aid staff retention and recruitment while ensuring patient centricity. Healthcare providers can deliver more effective and inclusive care by designing systems prioritising patient engagement.
Navigating Healthcare's Digital Future
Digital innovation holds the potential to transform healthcare, offering solutions that enhance clinician retention and recruitment while improving patient care. By addressing clinical challenges, streamlining workflows, and fostering patient-centred care, healthcare organisations can create more supportive and efficient environments for clinicians and patients alike.
Involving clinicians and patients in discussions about technological advancements ensures that digital solutions are effective and user-friendly. As healthcare continues to evolve, embracing a collaborative approach and leveraging the power of AI and digital tools can pave the way for a healthier future.
Related Companies
Dedalus Group is the leading European provider of digital solutions for Healthcare.
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