The digitalization of healthcare has transformed medical practices and the healthcare experience worldwide. Although it can be a time-consuming process requiring a substantial investment, its benefits might quite literally save your practice.
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What Is Digitalization in Healthcare?
Digitalization in healthcare involves using digital tools, the Internet, and software to automate clinical processes and make them more efficient. These technological innovations, combined with new therapies and best practices, aim to improve healthcare delivery and reduce medical costs.
Although the healthcare industry has embraced digitization more slowly than sectors like media and finance, the shift is now gaining momentum.
What Are the Key Benefits of Digital Transformation in Healthcare?
1. Allows healthcare providers to coordinate better
Digitalization helps create a centralized information repository, which allows healthcare providers to retrieve the most up-to-date patient information and coordinate better. Various departments within a hospital or clinic can easily access, share, and manage patient data with one another. Even healthcare providers in different hospitals and laboratories using different systems can access the same patient data.
2. Simplifies healthcare processes and reduces errors
Digitalization enables numerous administrative and clinical processes to run more smoothly. Tasks that used to be done manually, such as appointment scheduling, billing, and patient record management, can now be done more efficiently with the help of digital tools. This simplification improves operational efficiency and reduces the likelihood of medical errors.
3. Improves data collection and analysis
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states that quality control of massive data collected in digitalization has led to better healthcare delivery. Digital tools allow healthcare providers to collect more relevant and accurate data. Automated data analytics also helps them make more informed decisions for their patients.
4. Aids in healthcare research and development
Digital tools and platforms help advance medical research and development. Researchers can identify trends, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and develop new therapies more efficiently. Digitalization also enables healthcare providers to access a collective pool of knowledge more quickly, which helps in advancing healthcare innovation.
5. Improves patient engagement
Empowering patients is one of the main benefits of digital transformation in healthcare. Digital tools help patients easily access their health information. Digital platforms such as apps, websites, and telemedicine services allow healthcare providers to share credible advice and personalized care plans. The increased accessibility helps patients make informed decisions about their health.
6. Helps patients access remote healthcare
One of the most transformative benefits of digitalization is the ability to provide healthcare services remotely. Telemedicine platforms allow patients to consult with their doctors via video calls, phone calls, or online messaging, making it possible for patients to receive healthcare in the comfort of their own homes. This is particularly beneficial for patients in underserved areas, those with mobility issues, or during situations like pandemics.
7. Strengthens data security
Digitalization can also improve data security in healthcare facilities. With sensitive information moving online, protected health information (PHI) becomes increasingly exposed to cyber threats. Thankfully, the best digital systems offer advanced security features like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access controls. In healthcare, these digital tools should also comply with HIPAA to help guarantee patient privacy.
Digitization vs Digitalization: What’s the Difference?
Although digitization and digitalization are terms that get mixed up often, they actually refer to different things.
Digitization is all about turning paper-based records and other analog forms of information into digital formats. Before digitization, everything was on paper-patient files, X-ray films, and clinical notes. Now, thanks to digitization, all that information is stored digitally, making it easier to access and manage.
The benefits of digitization in healthcare are numerous and contribute to digitalization. They include easy access to information, more consistent data, and faster information sharing. With the vast amounts of data healthcare providers need to collect, the importance of digitization in healthcare cannot be overstated.
On the other hand, digitalization is a much broader concept. It’s not just about converting analog data into digital formats; it’s about using digital tools to improve and innovate how healthcare is delivered. This includes new technologies like telemedicine solutions, using AI for diagnosis and treatment planning, and deploying wearable devices.
Digitalize Healthcare Operations With iFax
Digitalization requires adopting digital tools such as electronic health records (EHR), patient management platforms, and apps like Internet fax and cloud storage solutions. By using these technologies, healthcare facilities can experience the benefits of digital transformation in healthcare.
iFax helps healthcare providers digitalize their operations, reducing administrative workload and improving healthcare delivery. It integrates with the top EHRs and the most popular cloud storage apps, assisting users in accessing and sharing information quickly. Best of all, iFax is HIPAA-compliant and provides a BAA, letting you send secure online faxes.
Start using iFax today. Request a free demo to get started.
