Improvements can upset the apple cart for clinicians. An expert at EHR maker athenahealth offers advice on how to make sure the patient and clinician experiences both are top-notch.
The article highlights the dual impact of technology on healthcare, improving patient experiences while potentially burdening clinicians. Curtis Sherbo, from athenahealth, emphasizes understanding the patient-provider relationship to engineer tech that alleviates rather than exacerbates issues. Patients increasingly expect digital interactions like online appointment booking and accessing medical records, paralleling consumer experiences in other industries. Effective health IT should enhance patient experiences and streamline clinician tasks, reducing admin burdens and improving care. A recent survey from athenahealth showed 73% of physicians feel current processes don't adequately minimize admin tasks, affecting patient care. Sherbo warns that technology enhancements must balance information access for both patients and providers to prevent frustration. Health IT vendors are tasked with integrating patient information seamlessly into clinician workflows to better support care. Athenahealth involves patient feedback in product development and testing, aiming to improve patient-provider communication and ensure that technology facilitates, rather than hinders, healthcare delivery.