There are so many exciting things happening in health care today. I feel very fortunate to be in a leadership role in our current work environment, and to be part of this time of change. Change is not easy; many health care organizations are being asked to do more for less. Government funding is either staying the same, or being reduced. Our existing system is being influenced by LEAN principles, and we are trying to remove the “waste” from our system and be more efficient to stretch those pennies just a little further.
Some of the positive that are emerging from the thinking caps of those involved is the expansion of Telehealth services. This is allowing patients to see their health care providers from the comfort of their own communities without hours of travel, and even some from the comfort of their own home. We hare having people with chronic diseases check in with their nurse or physician through iPad’s, and monitoring their health in their own homes and being treated while sitting in their favorite chair in their house. Emergency rooms are getting better at managing flow and predicting peeks that can help the inpatient world prepare for times when we need more beds. The use of App’s to help staff address flow issues at their finger tips, is one-way technology is able to help predict staffing needs, and is assisting hospitals in managing bed access for patients. Surgecon is one such App that was made right here in Newfoundland, and is an example of this work .
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is now being addressed on almost all boardrooms of health care facilities in the country. Marbury (2006) says that 91% of healthcare executives say they will see a return on their investment in technologies such as Artificial intelligence, though it might not come immediately. The challenge with the growing trends in the use of AI, is that the heart of healthcare is built in the relationship, and the patient and family will want and need that human contact in times of illness. The balance of both will interesting to watch in the coming years.
Today’s health care systems are moving away from the “we know best” and now making patients partners in care and challenging the patriarchal systems that failed to include patients and families at all decisions points. Patient Safety is a topic on the forefront for all programs and we are challenged to look at the errors of the past from a just culture point of view and ensure the system makes the corrections needed to prevent it from repeating. Patient engagement is the core of the work, and patients are now on committees, advisory councils, and are seen a valued member of the health care team.
Wouldn’t it be great to invite Florence Nightingale to a hospital today let her see how far healthcare has developed? The use of technology, the role given to patients, the efficiencies that have accomplished in the past years would make her happy I would suspect. However, I would be amiss, if I did not add, that even with all these tools she would look for cleanliness, but most of all, people with a calling or passion for the work they are doing. Dedication to the work, will always be the hottest trend in healthcare.
References:
Retrieved March 30 2019
MARBURY, D. (2019). Six healthcare technologies coming in the next 5 years: Technology can improve and streamline patient care, but a culture change is necessary before the benefits can be realized. Contemporary OB/GYN, 64(3), 38–41.
Vogenberg, R., & Santilli, J. (2018). Healthcare Trends for 2018. American Health & Drug Benefits, 11(1), 48–54.
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