A recent research shows the growing adoption rates of digital health tools by physicians in the U.S. during the last three years. In the meantime, Australia is helping its nurses and midwives to master digital skills for better provision of care.
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Adoption of Digital Tools Among U.S. Physicians
The American Medical Association (AMA) has released a new research focusing on the adoption of digital health tools by physicians. The results of AMA Digital Health Research show that in 2016–2019 the number of physicians who recognise the importance of such tools in improving efficiency and safety in healthcare has substantially grown.
The research examines seven categories of digital health tools for patient
engagement, clinical data interpretation and use, and outcome management.
Telehealth/virtual visits, ie audio/video connections
used to see patients remotely. The adoptionof such tools among
physicians had grown from 14% in 2016 to 28% in 2019. This is the largest
increase among the seven categories.
Remote monitoring and management for improved care, ie mobile
applications and devices for use by chronic disease patients for daily
measurement of vital signs. (readings are missing or out of range), alerts are
generated. The adoption had grown from 13% in 2016 to 22% in 2019.
Remote monitoring for efficiency, ie smart
versions of common clinical devices such as thermometers or scales that can automatically
enter readings into the patient's EHR. The adoption had grown from 12% in 2016
to 16% in 2019.
Clinical decision support,iemodules or apps used with
the EHR that highlight potentially significant changes in patient data. The adoption
had grown from 28% in 2016 to 37% in 2019.
Patient engagement, ie solutions to promote patient
wellness and active participation in their care for chronic diseases (eg adherence
to treatment regimens).The adoption had grown from 26% in
2016 to 32% in 2019.
Point of care/workflow enhancement, iecommunication
and sharing of electronic clinical data for specialist consultations, referrals
and/or transitions of care. The adoption had grown from 42% in 2016 to 47% in
2019.
Consumer access to clinical data, ie secure
access allowing patients to view clinical information, receive reminders and arrange
prescription refills, appointments or consultations. The adoption had grown
from 53% in 2016 to 58% in 2019. Tools from this category are used by the
largest number of physicians.
Physicians place increasing importance on providing remote care to patients,
hence the remarkable growth in the category of telehealth. Efficiency and patient
safety remain the most important factors for physicians’ interest in digital
health tools, while concerns about patient adherence, convenience and physician
burnout are on the rise. Liability coverage, EHR integration and data privacy are
the three most important requirements driving the adoption of digital tools by physicians.
At the same time, the importance of peer review validation as a physician
requirement for digital health tools has increased.
AMA has also looked into the awareness and current usage of emerging
technologies among physicians, such as augmented
intelligence, blockchain
and precision
medicine. Although levels of awareness exceed adoption rates, over one-third
of physicians plan to start using such technologies within the year, especially
with chronic care patients.
Australia Encourages Adoption
In Australia, the importance of digital tools adoption is recognised not only among physicians but also among nurses and midwives. As part of the National Digital Health Strategy, the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has launched a professional development programme to identify the necessary digital health capabilities for these categories of health workers. The programme is undertaken in collaboration with Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA).
Nurses and midwives will have the opportunity to learn about the specific
digital health skills they need, and how a draft digital health capability
framework could be used in health institutions as a professional development
guide in their field.
Consultations has started in early February and will run for six weeks. They
will include an online survey, webinars, face-to-face consultations and ability
to provide written submissions. The final framework is expected to be launched
at the Nursing Informatics global congress NI
2020 in Brisbane, on 27–29 July 2020.
Sourses: AMA,
HealthcareITNews
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