Research shows that medical knowledge doubles every 73 days, which vastly surpasses the time it takes to understand and apply this information. This means that industry knowledge constantly expands for dentists and other health care professionals, and the health care associations they’re involved in have to keep up.
The evolution of health care technology is especially important to follow since it’s a vital tool in the medical field, enabling association members to improve patient care, conduct insightful research, make data-backed decisions and otherwise advance their medical knowledge. Your association should provide updated resources and expertise to help you put your learning into practice, but it’s worthwhile to seek out these trends on your own, too.
Let’s explore four technology trends you should follow to enhance your learning.
Data Analytics
To continue making advancements in medical science, data analytics must support you and your fellow members’ research and innovation. In the world of health care, the growth of data analytics applies to:
- Population health management (PHM): As PHM software expands to incorporate real-time data and advanced predictive modeling techniques, its users are better equipped to measure health outcomes and forecast future health risks.
- Predictive analytics: Advancements in predictive analytics, such as predictive modeling and machine learning, enable dental professionals to make more personalized recommendations tailored to patients’ characteristics and risk factors.
- Healthcare operations: Data-driven automation optimizes many operational workflows, allowing healthcare professionals to streamline manual tasks and improve productivity.
Remember, the effectiveness of data analytics hinges on the data’s quality, meaning you must also closely adhere to data hygiene practices. NPOInfo defines data hygiene as the ongoing procedures to keep a database error-free. You can then act on accurate data by measuring, predicting, and addressing patient health.
Patient Engagement Tools
Healthcare providers increasingly offer patient resources to simplify care, which can enhance patient-provider communication and promote self-care. To help you facilitate meaningful patient interactions, explore top patient engagement tools and relevant trends, such as:
- Patient portals: Patient portals are popular tools for scheduling appointments, sending work excuses or reminding patients to follow their care routines. They also integrate with electronic health record (EHR) systems, allowing patients to access dental or other medical records from a secure portal.
- Mobile apps: Personalized health management tools on a mobile-friendly interface enable patients to take control of their healthcare by tracking symptoms, medication refills and other patient needs.
- Health education platforms: Educational resources such as multimedia content and interactive modules can help patients learn more about health conditions and preventive care measures.
Patient engagement tools may also include solutions that help health care professionals provide the best care by identifying patients, creating care plans and monitoring their progress. Arcadia’s care management software guide notes that robust solutions often include engagement tools to facilitate and support ongoing patient-provider interaction.
Internet of Medical Things
Follow trends surrounding the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) to support your fellow association members in improving patient care. This may include navigating use cases and regulations for relevant devices.
Additionally, keep up with top devices to stay aware of key tools for enhanced patient care, including:
- Smart medical devices that provide continuous monitoring, such as toothbrushes with built-in sensors to analyze patients’ brushing techniques.
- Smart medication adherence devices, such as smart pill dispensers or electronic medication packaging, help patients follow their prescribed medication regimens.
- Remote patient monitoring devices that track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.
Beyond naming key devices and explaining how they work, consider participating in hands-on learning experiences to learn more about the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). This might include demonstrating new capabilities or analyzing data collected by these devices.
Cybersecurity Solutions
As one of the top industries threatened by data breaches, health care organizations must use encryption, access controls and other cybersecurity solutions to protect patient data. More and more, health care technologies include built-in security features. For example, modern health care data platforms typically feature predefined security measures to support data access restrictions.
Keeping up with cybersecurity trends can help you and your association members comply with regulatory requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and prevent data breaches. This ensures that health care professionals and researchers take responsibility for protecting patient data and making patient care and data analytics a safe environment.
Remember, data privacy applies to your association itself, too. If you’re in a leadership position at your association, it’s your responsibility to protect all sensitive information you collect, from recordings of your live-streamed meetings to event registration details. Demonstrating the cybersecurity best practices you recommend will create a culture of respect for data privacy among your association’s members.
Look to industry publications, academic institutions and your professional network to identify technology trends and stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, health care-focused websites can provide helpful information and educational resources that you can explore and share with other members.
If advancements in medical research and improved patient care are at the core of your motivations, then technology is a vital resource you must understand how to utilize. The trends surrounding these tools empower associations to drive improved decision-making and optimized workflows.
Author: Chris D’Arcy is Chief Human Resources Officer at Arcadia. He has spent his career leading the HR function in high growth technology startups and scaling mid-sized firms.
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