While many aspects of modern technology can be exhausting and overwhelming, we have to acknowledge that some of the devices and metrics out there, especially in healthcare technology, are actually really, really cool. (Sexy, even.) Consider devices such as the Oura Ring, giving everyday folks access to rich biometric data in simple-to-understand interfaces via their app, enabling biohacking right alongside basic lifestyle management. And excuse our shameless plug for one of Kno2’s latest partners, Cipher Skin, and their incredible wearable technology to measure recovery for musculoskeletal care, providing actionable insights to providers between therapy visits. You can see how bright, innovative minds are creating tools that can transform not only healthcare, but wellness and the experience of vitality throughout every season of life. But here’s the rub: it’s all for naught if only a handful of specialists or providers can access the data. In fact, we’ve seen some solutions focus more on the patient experience than on the provider engagement with their data outputs. And while we love bringing patients into their care journey, we cannot overlook the value of providers – all providers on the care team – exchanging and collaborating around all available data.
Providers Don’t Want More Data…They Want the Right Data
We heard it straight out of an MD’s mouth at a panel we covered in an article about how health data can advance health equity. Dr. Peter Schoch from AdventHealth and Florida Hospital Physician Network commented that providers actually really enjoy data, but clarified, “I don’t need more data…I need the right data, in my workflow.” Where we can really serve providers – and patients, by proxy – is enabling access to the full continuum of care documentation and information, while keeping critical metrics front and center in their normal daily workflows (be it in an EHR or otherwise).
Many healthcare IT solutions have become the equivalent of a clanging gong, beating down already alert-fatigued providers with even more flashing icons and notifications than ever before. It’s not sustainable, and eventually it’s like The Boy Who Cried Wolf…nothing warrants meaningful attention because everything begs for it.
The industry would do well to remember that it takes a village. Healthcare Staff are incredibly overlooked for the role they play in keeping physicians in the right place at the right time. Providing greater access to healthcare data, via simple, user-friendly healthcare tools, to support staff and ancillary providers is a great way to expand the reach of an individual provider and share the load for outcomes and compliance.
Sharing [Data] Is Caring
Where we can elevate the ability of the whole Care Team to participate in holistic patient care is providing more democratized access to the aggregate of information, from Home Health and Physical Therapy, to EMS and acute care. While one provider may be point-person for a given issue or condition, everyone has stake in the patients’ well-being, and therefore we shouldn’t be afraid to expand access to data – sexy or otherwise – and encourage healthcare communication for true collaboration that moves the needle, while providing extra sets of eyes between visits…be it a Home Health visit or a cool wearable.
