Computers in the Workplace

 For this week’s discussion I chose the healthcare industry. Today a person’s whole health history can be accessed by computer. It’s been a long time since a doctor has walked into the room with a manila folder or “chart” on a clipboard. In all my adult life, doctors have been accessing my health history with a tablet or desktop during any of my consultations or follow ups. Doctors now type in notes from office visits directly into your digital chart. With the use of computers, the doctor or the doctor’s office is able to order your prescriptions, and order lab work by the time you even hit the parking lot. Computers also have allowed the doctor’s office to transmit billing and coding to the insurance carrier, making the fax machine almost obsolete. Even x-rays and MRI results can be sent over via zip file, drop box, etc. A shared network makes the transfer of care instantaneous as well. Most patients can see a different doctor and in the same medical group and the doctor would have all your history in a digital chart and enough information to help or treat you.  With the added convenience it gives doctors more time with patients and more time to diagnose. During the COVID pandemic, there were several releases of new or improved tools and processes to ensure patients had access to care. Telemedicine became a convenient option for patients to be “seen” by a doctor via Zoom or MyChart and get have access to care from a provider for non-COVID related issues.

References:

Teguar Computers (2017). 5 Uses of Computers in Healthcare.  https://teguar.com/5-uses-for-healthcare-computers/