Abstract
Technological inventions in the healthcare sector are ever-growing. Healthcare providers are always looking for advanced technologies that will help in the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare. There are numerous technology-based healthcare solutions, and most are striving to reduce the common face-to-face practitioner-patient interactions. There are numerous benefits of this such technologies, as well as a host of limitations. Technology has modernized healthcare delivery because modern technologies help empower patients to be in charge of their health, and this in turn minimizes doctor consultations (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). Technologies such as telemedicine, internet, robotics and telecoms have revolutionized the way the manner in which patients interact with their healthcare providers. This paper examines the pros and cons of arm’s length healthcare technologies.
Introduction
In the current century, technology has gone a notch higher, and it has had a significant effect on various sectors including healthcare delivery (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). Most importantly, technology seems to be changing the common face-to-face physician-patient interactions by minimizing face-to-face patient-physician interactions. The revolution in the healthcare delivery stems from the changes that are taking place in the practice of medicine and society. Examples include changes in the patterns of diseases, changing demographics, changes in healthcare delivery, changing professional roles, technological changes, emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness, focus on patient autonomy and empowerment and increasing consumerism. These changes are impacting the way healthcare is delivered in the twenty-first century.
Medical technology denotes the processes, procedures and equipment by which medical care is delivered (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). The current healthcare era has witnessed an emerging trend in which the patient is given a sizable say in defining provider-patient relationships. New technologies have enabled healthcare professionals to provide healthcare to patients in remote locations. Technology has modernized healthcare delivery because modern technologies help empower patients to be in charge of their health, and this in turn minimizes doctor consultations (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). Technologies such as telemedicine, internet, robotics and telecoms have revolutionized the way the manner in which patients interact with their healthcare providers. This paper evaluates the advantages, as well as disadvantages of replacing the traditional patient-healthcare provider face-to-face interaction with technology-based solutions.
2. The Internet
The internet and its associated technologies add up to the already complicated doctor-patient relationship. The use of the internet in healthcare delivery is beginning to hit the ground running, and it has had two significant impacts (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). First, it has transformed the point of care. Secondly, it has revolutionized patient empowerment. It is paramount for clinicians understand both the benefits and limitations of using the internet as a medium of healthcare delivery.
2.1 Health Information Transmission
The internet is playing a vital role in the transmission of healthcare information. Surveys have revealed that up to 80 percent of internet users use the internet to gather healthcare information (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). The internet plays a crucial role in the information and empowerment of the health consumer through the provision of healthcare information such as self-help, patient choice and health services. Access to healthcare information makes the user into an expert patient, and in fact, two-thirds of patients who use the internet contend that the internet has a significant impact on their healthcare decisions. Internet healthcare consumers value the quantity, convenience and anonymity of information (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). However, here have been a concern over the legitimacy of online health information with some circles arguing that it might have detrimental health effects. Although quality healthcare information can be found on the internet, there are numerous sites with inaccurate commercial-based healthcare information.
2.2 Medium of Interaction
The interactivity nature of the internet is the most useful aspect. The email has revolutionized healthcare provider-patient communication. In addition, the internet has necessitated the emergence of virtual communities. Peer-to-peer engagements have eliminated traditional barriers to healthcare access, and online anonymity is helpful to those who have been stigmatized because of their conditions (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). Furthermore, international virtual communities assist users to access different health perspectives and experience.
2.3 Recruitment of Patients
The internet can be employed in the recruitment of patients, and this can be achieved through promotions and advertisements, online media, web pages, epidemiological surveys, and referrals from healthcare practitioners (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). The ability to allow patients to self-refer via online portals has remarkable advantages. The format of internet interventions helps prospective patients to reflect on available treatment options prior to making an informed decision to commit to it. There have been concerns over online recruitment especially self-referral. Questions have been raised with regards to the characteristics of online patients; whether their characteristics match those of patients who meet face-to-face with clinicians. This aspect is vital in the determination of whether this model can be employed at a public health level. It has been suggested that in internet-based trials, participants are more informed than those of traditional research studies (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004). Because of increased levels of education, as well as the self-selected nature of recruitment, internet-based patients are more responsive and motivated to undergo treatment (Katz, Nissan and Moyer 2004).
2.4 Therapist role in Internet-Based Treatments
Different reviews have shown that treatments that are anchored on guidance have better results than unguided treatments. However, there are occasional exceptions involving unguided treatments that can be executed in the form of automated reminders.
2.5 Internet-Based Assessment and Diagnosis
Just like in the traditional face-to-face treatments, internet-based interventions must have accurate, as well as reliable diagnosis and assessment of symptoms. There is a growing body of literature that evaluates the collection of patient data via the internet. These literatures have highlighted the pros and cons associated with online data collection. Evidences from different studies have shown that data collection using questionnaire data can be attained without compromising psychometric characteristics. Internet-based administration of questionnaires boasts of reduced risk of missing items. In addition, vital items can be automatically highlighted for healthcare providers. Furthermore, clinicians can automatically generate summary scores, as well as develop algorithms essential in the monitoring of patients. Moreover, automated administration minimizes the costs associated with scoring and posting questionnaires.
Internet-based diagnoses have their limitations. Firstly, security issues have emerged as the leading setback of online diagnoses. Methods of data collection and storage are not 100 percent secure. Although most clinicians adhere to information technology security frameworks, the recent advent of smart phones has highlighted insecurity issues associated with new technology. Secondly, it is hard to assess the accuracy and authenticity of patient responses posted online, as well as collecting additional information. The former challenge can be resolved by requesting the respondents (patients) to confirm their response while the latter can be addressed by employing clinical protocols that prompt the use of telephones in clinical circumstances. Self-diagnoses have their limitations. As much as they can be seen as a way of saving the clinicians’ time, they cannot replace structured diagnostic interviews. In cases involving psychiatric conditions, seeing the patient one-on-one is the best option. In addition, face-to-face interventions help solve the accuracy limitations raised by internet-based interventions.
3. Telemedicine
Turner (2003), and Tuner, Thomas and Reinsch (2004) argue that a telemedicine denotes the use of advanced communication technologies in the healthcare sector that necessitate the delivery of care across distance. Telemedicine thus necessitates the delivery of healthcare directly. Distant communication technologies include telephones, and other sophisticated equipment that allow healthcare providers to deliver healthcare to patients that are not physically located at the healthcare facility. Telemedicine boats of the feature that it can be applied in multiple medical settings with the chief goal of accelerating and facilitating communication between patients and their healthcare providers. Telemedicine necessitates dialogue and correspondence and exchange of vital information between patients and their healthcare providers. Applications for telemedicine are diverse, and they include patient care, research, training, administration, and transmission of healthcare information. Of late, telemedicine includes web-based services that provide essential pharmaceutical and medical information. These applications can be grouped into four: (a) use within medical specialties, (b) management of diseases, (c) classification according to types of clinical problems, and (d) according to technology.
Types of Clinical Challenges
In the wake of technology-based healthcare interventions, telemedicine provides a host of health communication benefits to both the healthcare systems and the healthcare providers. Patients, physicians and other practitioners and the community all benefit from telemedicine. Telemedicine transcends geographical boundaries, by alleviating imbalances in geographical allocations of personnel, facilities, and resources in the healthcare sector. In line with this, telemedicine boosts access to services and healthcare communication among secluded, disadvantaged, restricted and disserved citizens and communities. For example, surgeons situated in remote localities and lack the skills or experience needed to execute a surgical procedure can contact experienced peers in other locations through telemedicine technologies and get guidance. In another example, a causality of military combat may receive timely communicative assistance in the field by seeking assistance from a doctor through portable telecommunications system. When looked at critically, these examples highlight the possibility to save more lives, and most importantly improve healthcare communication. In other words, these telemedicine technologies provide supplemental alternatives from the normal face-to-face health communications involving practitioners and patients.
Telemedicine technologies also boast of the ability to alleviate temporal boundaries. Telemedicine has shown its strengths by minimizing the constraints related to time. Telemedicine tasks do not need real time interactions like in the case of remote expert consultation. It also reduces the anxiety that patients encounter as they wait for a healthcare provider. On top of that, still pictures over the phone, which are seconded by oral communication, have been found to be viral in the pre-health arena, and are user-friendly. Additionally, compact audiovisual technology necessitates first, immediate, as well as personal audible and visual interaction with the patient. Because of these technologies, the doctors can perform fundoscopic and auscultation exams in real-time and carefully.
Furthermore, telemedicine technologies boast of the ability to reduce costs. Telemedicine has gained widespread acceptance because of the success that has been registered with it. One of the reasons why these technologies have been embraced is because of its ability to reduce the escalating and draining costs of healthcare services. It is evident that the healthcare has numerous costs some of which are include the transportation of patients from one location to the other. On this note, it is essential to note that expeditious access to telemedicine can only save time, but also money (Kendall, Kirlisnkay, Javis-Selinger and May 2004). Patients have echoed their support of telemedicine because this technology has been found to increase service delivery by minimizing waiting time at the physicians’ clinics, time consumed in arranging physicians’ appointments, and traveling time. The minimization of these challenges facilitates health communication and consequently lessens the burden associated with the current healthcare industry.
Moreover, telemedicine boasts of the potential increase patient security, comfort and satisfaction. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, patients support the use of these technologies because various medical practitioners can work on them. On this account, like Callahan, Hilty and Nesbitt (1996) notes, many patients who have benefited from telemedicine technologies reported satisfaction and assurance, particularly through the corroboration of different physicians. Theoretical interpretations have been used to explain the benefits of telemedicine technologies. Because of the enriched social presence from different participating physicians, patients tend to be more assured and confident with service provision. This extraordinary corroboration of physicians relieves the uncertainty and fear by the patient with respect to their disease. In addition, scholars who have evaluated the benefits of collaboration during the employment of telemedicine technologies have noted that this practice boosts the reliability of such diagnoses (Bower, Roland, Campbell and Mean 2003). In effect, this practice minimizes the frequency of diagnostic mistakes.
Telemedicine’s benefits are numerous; it is vital to note that it has the potential to digitize healthcare delivery through online services (Bower, Roland, Campbell and Mean 2003). Telemedicine technologies are championed through virtual domains, and this has minimized the time and space barriers. To be specific, the advent of e-health sites has been instrumental in the transmission of pharmaceutical and medical information to consumers (patients and the general public). Consumers can now access helpful information on different aspects such as conditions, drugs, symptoms, tests, diagnoses, and treatments and the identification of any other information that might be helpful in the next appointment with a healthcare practitioner (Brown 2004). Sticking within this domain, it is vital to note that web-based care services offer consumers with substantial varieties and quantities of healthcare information; such information would not be availed during the ever limited practitioner-patient interaction. Email, for instance, provides the means through which practitioners provide correspondence to their patients (Moore 1993). Different studies have noted that the utilization of these inexpensive and popular health communication services has led to a significant reduction in the challenges encountered in face-to-face interactions.
Although telemedicine has exceptional benefits, it is not perfect, and it has its flaws. Firstly, there are challenges associated with patient privacy. Gilbert (1995) suggests that many individuals are involved in addressing the healthcare needs of the patient there access to confidential of patient information by non-authorized persons. In line with this, it is possible that other practitioners other than doctors may compromise the patients’ private information in the process of addressing the patients’ healthcare needs. Following these risks of patients’ privacy issues, telemedicine has not been readily accepted by legal and medical communities.
Secondly, telemedicine is struggling to find acceptance from insurance companies. According to Turner (2003), this is the most difficult challenge that the telemedicine is facing. Getting reimbursements for services from healthcare insurers is challenging in cases where those insurers are against unconventional consultations. Thirdly, licensing and legal issues in telemedicine are making the usage of these technologies difficult (Safran 2003). The use of telemedicine is derailed by limited expertise and knowledge. On top of that, there is the lack of advanced telemedicine systems. There is limited knowledge among medical practitioners especially on how to practically and effectively use different forms of telemedicine. Such paucity in the embrace of telemedicine limits the creativity to explore more effective and efficient modalities of telemedicine (Safran 2003). There is a requirement for special competencies prior to the implementation of telemedicine. In other words, telecompetence denotes the necessary credentials and skills that are required by practitioners prior to using this service. In order to be a health communication expert in telemedicine, it is essential to have telecomepetence. There is a three-stage process that shape the attainment of telecompetence. In the first stage, there is planning and establishing, which are followed by learning and use in the second stage. In the third stage, there is the formalization of routines. The attainment of this process is at times challenging thus discouraging the use of telemedicine.
Moreover, telemedicine has been found to have substractive communicative effects (Kleiner, Akers, Burke and Werner 2002). In the current era, it is evident that a sizable number of the population utilize different technologies, not only for communication and data storage, but also medical services. Following the invention of telemedicine, particularly internet-based telehealth, healthcare systems have been revolutionized for the better. All users of healthcare systems have been virtualized and digitized, but at the same time, unfortunately, bringing forth the subtractive effects of telemedicine (Kleiner, Akers, Burke and Werner 2002). A number of studies have been conducted to assess the interpersonal and communicative implications of telemedicine. E-health services such as telemedicine are a representation of communicatively and interpersonally reduced techniques (Kleiner, Akers, Burke and Werner 2002). This phenomenon stems from the fact that there are very few face-to-face interactions, as well as non-verbal communications are minimal in this medium. Telemedicine approaches such as those administered via the internet deprive the users (patients and practitioners) the fundamental contact that is vital in social interactions (Hilty, Luo and Morache 2002; Joston, Atwell and Johansen 2003).
Walther (1997) contends that technologies such as email are mere exchanges of texts or words that lack gestures and facial expressions, and they minimize social contacts. Medical and pharmaceutical information posted online minimizes the need for face-to-face interactions. Reduced human communication minimizes the benefits of face-to-face practitioner-patient interactions: one-on-one interactions have been found to boost the morale of patients more than virtual approaches. Zuiderant, Winthereik and Berg (2003) contend that telemedicine applications contribute to the subtractive effects on the communicative and social abilities between the practitioner and the patients. Turner (2003) posits that the social presence in face-to-face interactions plays an integral part in informational and relational exchanges in the health communication environment. On this account, Turner (2003) and colleagues hold the opinion that telemedicine dehumanize and dissocialize the original aim and genuine doctor-patient relationship, and this might have negative effects. Several cases are highlighting how telemedicine can dehumanize and dissocialize practitioner-patient relationship. Akir (2005) has noted that dehumanizing that stems from telemedicine endangers lives when remote medical diagnosis and surgery cannot be executed because of the shortage of satellite links. In another example, Bloom (1996) conducted a study that revealed that nurses perceive telemedicine because it is dissocializing since they missed the physical contact with their patients.
With respect to the above contentions, taking into consideration patients with chronic pain in the home setting, face-to-face communication and physical visits between the patient and the practitioner can be avoided through the use of telemedicine (Moyer, Stern, Dobias, Cox and Katz 2002). Take an example in which the patient is immobile and requires total care that calls for the help of stand-by nurse. The nurse in this case takes charge of the doctor-patient health communication. Therefore, even without communicating directly with the doctor, the patient can still follow the doctor’s directives provided the nurse acts as a mediator. Although the use of telemedicine can reduce significantly contacts between the doctor and the patient, there are some setbacks involved. There is a possibility that the doctor and the patient may be detached completely (Moyer, Stern, Dobias, Cox and Katz 2002).
Robotics
Robotics inclusion in the healthcare delivery has emerged because of technological advances. Currently, robotis are made to execute some surgical and diagnostic procedures, as well as normal clinical routines (Stevenson, Ion, Merry and Sinfiled 2003). In fact, there is a likelihood that robotics can be employed in prostatectomy. The use of robotics has numerous advantages. Surgical procedures that have been executed using robotics have tiny incisions, and this means less trauma to the patients in question. In addition, there is minimal blood loss, precision around nerves and tendons, as well as minimal side effects associated with the surgery. On top of that, surgical procedures executed by robotics help patients spend only a short time in the hospital and quick recovery. It has been noted that the precision of a surgeon who employed two hands cannot match that executed by the use of robotics.
In Touch Health, the manufacturer of robots meant for medical services has indicated that it has manufactured RP-6 robot (Stevenson, Ion, Merry and Sinfiled 2003). RP-6 is said to help busy doctors be in two different locations at the same time. In another example, an audio-visual camera measuring five feet and four inches can tilt, zoom and pivot, and it is under the control of a computerized remote. This robot is often used in the collection of medical data such as X-ray and video image. Other developments are underway to engineer a robot with internally designed stethoscope that can be set by the nurse-in-charge (Stevenson, Ion, Merry and Sinfiled 2003). There are several areas where robots are deployed.
First, they are very helpful in the intensive care units, especially when intensivists are not available. Data from various literatures shows that the presence of intensivists on a 24-hour basis reduces mortality, a lengthy stay at the ICU or complications in the ICU (Stevenson, Ion, Merry and Sinfiled 2003). In the emergency department, specialists have the option to observe the patient from home late in the night. This phenomenon has been found to be more palatable, particularly when the specialist has a low work morale. Additionally, robots are helpful in conducting rounds on patients, in addition to the normal doctor or nurse rounds. Scholars note that extra round are essential in preventing long delays of patients in the hospital, as well as lessening lengthy stays in the hospitals.
In addition, the use of robots minimizes the needs of healthcare institutions who do not know the patient at hand. In a study conducted at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Healthcare System revealed that the preferred examination via the RP-6 robot to an actual physician visit (Stevenson, Ion, Merry and Sinfiled 2003). In fact, in that study, patients revealed that the majority of patients noted that the use of robots enhanced patient accessibility.
Advantages
In summary, the advantages of employing technology that minimizes face-to-face interactions between the practitioner and the doctor are diverse. It is evident that technology in the healthcare has revolutionized the manner in which care is delivered.
First, it can be noted that the use of these technologies have made the healthcare not only more efficient, but also accessible. In other words, technology in the realm of medicine is always engineering new ways of in the delivery of healthcare in and efficient manner, as well as making such healthcare more accessible through the elimination of the ancient clinician-patient interaction. Examples such as the internet and telehealth have made the access to healthcare information as simple as possible through mobile products that can be used even in the remotest parts of the world.
Secondly, these technologies have necessitated patient-empowerment. What this phenomenon means is that unlike in the traditional care delivery requiring face-to-face contact between the provider and the patient, care delivery through the aforementioned technologies have made patients to be more involved in their health. Some people argue that the use of such technology is unethical, but what is evident is that these technologies make patients be more aware of their health. On this account, patients can access information online and compare their symptoms with the available information before making an informed decision. These technologies have made it possible for patients to blog and discuss on different health issues through virtual communities. Although some argue that the internet increases worry among patients, others hold the opinion that it makes patients more informed.
Thirdly, technological advancements have lessened the workload on health staff. Telemedicine and the internet minimize the amount of people who have to go to the hospital for doctor consultation. In other words, minor cases that do not warrant a visit from the hospital can be addressed from home through telemedicine and other technologies. This phenomenon has spreads and reduces the burden on healthcare professionals allowing them dedicate their time and energy to more deserving cases. In addition, robotics also lessens the burden on the surgeons, as well as nurses in satisfying the needs of demanding patients; this aspect enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Moreover, medical technologies highlighted here necessitate outsourcing. In other words, people in remote areas where there are less experienced healthcare professionals can now access high-tech healthcare through the use of telemedicine and other associated technologies.
Disadvantages
However, there are various clinician-client based limitations that are associated with the discussed technologies. There are concerns from different circles that suggest that these technologies have led to the deterioration of practitioner-patient relationship. Some argue that these technologies necessitate episodic care and paternalistic decision-making, and they are less instrumental in making the physician make more informed arguments to their patients (Stange, Zysanski and Jaen 1998). The first major limitation that has been associated with these technologies is the reduction in social interaction between people in the healthcare system (healthcare professionals and patients). Those who are opposed to these technologies still value the traditional one-on-one interaction between the practitioner and the patient (Stange, Zysanski and Jaen 1998).
On this account, patients tend to lose out on the passionate care delivered by humans when compared to that which is delivered using non-human components such as robots. Social interactions are vital in certain medical conditions such as psychological disorders; such an interaction gives the patients a mental uplift, as we well as a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, these benefits cannot be realized through the use of the aforementioned technologies. Secondly, there is the limitation of increased cost. The deployment of the latest technology is not an easy affair, but very costly. There have been significant efforts to engineer advanced technologies that are cost-effective, most of the latest technologies discussed here are relatively expensive. For instance, robots used in surgical departments are extremely expensive and not most hospitals can afford them. There are additional costs involved in the maintenance of such technologies, as well as software upgrade costs, in additional to other technical costs. In addition, the lack of experienced personnel and changes in job descriptions often limit the application of these technologies, and this could be detrimental while waiting for trained personal. In addition, technical shortcomings could delay the delivery of healthcare.
The ever-growing changes in the clinical and community settings are encouraging healthcare providers, as well as their organizations in the deployment of the latest ways to communicate with patients (Jeffords, Scheidt and Thibadoux 1999). The embrace of technologies such as online practitioner-patient provider have been rather slow, but it is likely to increase in the near future. Innovations in communications technology, as well as clinical data systems, are under a rapid evolution, but there is less focus on the consequences these technologies might have on practitioner-patient relationships. Consequences for these technologies are never clear from the onset, until when these technologies have been tested (Jeffords, Scheidt and Thibadoux 1999).
Role of the Management
The delivery of healthcare via arm’s-length must be regulated and managed effectively if tangible results have to be realized. A network of organizations must be kept enacted at the national level to regulate the business of providing healthcare arm’s-length, protect the public’s welfare, improve the standards of care, provide special advice, as well as support local services (Jeffords, Scheidt and Thibadoux 1999). The functions of these organizations include office administration, as well as clinical and ethical roles.
Provider, patient and organizational factors are vital in the creation of efficient medical and healthcare technologies (Jeffords, Scheidt and Thibadoux 1999). There are technical and operational challenges that are involved in the use of healthcare technologies. In order for healthcare organizations to realize the benefits of these technologies, they must establish decent structural frameworks. In the first place, the organization must have a financial plan of purchasing and maintaining healthcare technologies. Decent budgetary measures have to be put in place in order to determine the most important technologies that must be purchased. Secondly, the organization must employ experienced personnel who will foresee the use of technologies in place (Jeffords, Scheidt and Thibadoux 1999). There should be sound duty allocation to avoid fatigue, as well as constant evaluation of the technological equipment in place to check for technical setbacks that could detail the delivery of healthcare.
On top of that, organizations must establish rationales for assessing the negative effects that can stem from the use of healthcare technologies that reduce practitioner-patient interactions. As noted in the course this discussion, technologies that have replaced face-to-face practitioner-patient interactions could compromise the security and privacy of patient information. In line with this, organizations must craft decent policies that will help in the safeguard of patient information (Lin, Albertson and Schilling 2001). In such guidelines, healthcare providers directly involved on the use of such healthcare technologies must be made to understand their freedom and limits while dealing with patient data. In addition, these policies should spell out clearly the consequences of leaking patient data to third parties without the approval (Lin, Albertson and Schilling 2001).
Rapidly growing provider-patient relationships, particularly those involving online communications have encouraged organizations to options for employing these new tools in the clinical arena. Healthcare providers, as well as their organizations, must take into consideration issues related to data management, technology, communications management, operations and financial support if they intend to have successful technological deployments (Katz and Moyer 2004).
Additionally, the implementation of various technologies in the delivery of healthcare can face various barriers. It is the duty of the organization in question to anticipate such barriers and engineer strategies to navigate across those barriers in order to ensure successful deployment of healthcare technologies. Organizations should at first conduct assessments prior to investing in these technologies. Such assessments will provide guidance with respect to the timeline, budget and technical requirements that are needed prior to deploying healthcare technologies. In addition, all members of the healthcare organization must be educated on how the intended technologies will be employed and to what extent they will be affected by those technologies (Katz and Moyer 2004). There is no doubt that healthcare technologies have revolutionized the healthcare delivery, but their success rests on decent management strategies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper has examined the pros and cons of replacing traditional face-to-face practitioner-patient relationships with technology-based solutions. Technology seems to be changing the common face-to-face physician-patient interactions by minimizing face-to-face patient-physician interactions. The revolution in healthcare delivery stems from the changes that are taking place in the practice of medicine and society. Examples include changes in the patterns of diseases, changing demographics, changes in healthcare delivery, changing professional roles, technological changes, emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness, focus on patient autonomy and empowerment and increasing consumerism. Technology has modernized healthcare delivery because modern technologies help empower patients to be in charge of their health, and this in turn minimizes doctor consultations. Technologies such as telemedicine, internet, robotics and telecoms have revolutionized the way the manner in which patients interact with their healthcare providers.
On a positive note, solution based healthcare technologies have made the healthcare not only more efficient, but also accessible. Secondly, these technologies have necessitated patient-empowerment. What this phenomenon means is that unlike in the traditional care delivery requiring face-to-face contact between the provider and the patient, care delivery through the aforementioned technologies have made patients to be more involved in their health. Thirdly, technological advancements have lessened the workload on health staff. On the other hand, these technologies have their setbacks. The first major limitation that has been associated with these technologies is the reduction in social interaction between people in the healthcare system (healthcare professionals and patients). Secondly, there is the limitation of increased cost. The deployment of the latest technology is not an easy affair, but very costly. In addition, the lack of experienced personnel and changes in job descriptions often limit the application of these technologies, and this could be detrimental while waiting for trained personal. In addition, technical shortcomings could delay the delivery of healthcare.
Additionally, the delivery of healthcare via arm’s-length must be regulated and managed effectively if tangible results have to be realized. Rapidly growing provider-patient relationships, particularly those involving online communications have encouraged organizations to options for employing these new tools in the clinical arena. Healthcare providers, as well as their organizations, must take into consideration issues related to data management, technology, communications management, operations and financial support if they intend to have successful technological deployments.
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