Running Head: Future Trends in Health Care

Future Trends in Health Care

The face to face method of interaction will always be the basis of physician-patient relationship. The effect of technology within the field of healthcare has impacted the healthcare delivery system in a revolutionary manner. A health care delivery system is that combination of insurance companies, employer groups, providers of care and government agencies that work together to provide health. The advancement rate of technology in this day and age in the United States is so swift it is being observed by patients and providers from a far and as it emerges. The evolution of communication through the use of electronics has taken the healthcare industry by storm. E-Mail, telephone use, and the internet have pushed communication between patient and physician to re-imagine and alter their thinking in regards to making healthcare provisions. Home monitoring systems, personal health records, and on-line support groups is making it possible for society to take charge of their health (Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation, 2008). Forms of communicating through electronics, former and recent, will be reviewed as a delivery method for patient information. The ramifications of distance, technology systems used to transport files, and future and present use of these systems will be analyzed. Telephones, for a long time, have been the main source of communication between facilities, physicians, practices and patients. The telephone has been the dominant force for conveying important information and at times still holds that title. Its uses stretch from confirming appointments to the discussion of the findings from physical exams. It has even been considered the lifeline of pharmacy and physician communication. The telephone is also one of the key communication devices for employees to communicate internally and with insurance companies. With patients who are chronically ill and have established a relationship with the physician, the telephone can serve as an office visit (Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation, 2008). In other words, patients who do not possess the ability to walk into an office for a routine visit due to illness (chronic) have the ability to now visit their physician by phone contact. Patient care though electronic means amplify effectiveness, production and keeps operational costs low. The increase in the aspiration and readiness to make use of technological advancements by physicians is the inspiration and necessity for more patients to acquire such communication devices. The use of online communicating, such as e-mail or internet, produces results of lower administrative costs, less usage of landlines, and attracts new patients. Online communicating gives a patient the advantage to review information as much as needed to obtain a better understanding of the documents. E-mailing transcripts in comparison to taking them by phone, is considered far less distracting, pricey, practically documents itself and can be completed in the physician’s spare time. The use of internet communication results in patient retention and patient satisfaction (Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation, 2008). These two results add significance to the quality of care of a patient and opens doors to the receipt of new patients to the facility or practice. The use of a secured messaging system is by far the safest and most reliable method for the communication of sensitive or rather secretive information. A secured site for medical information is to protect unauthorized users from access. The most common protection for electronic information is installing an encryption system (Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation, 2008). It also allows the practice, facility or physician to remain in compliance with HIPAA regulations. The Acronym for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA provides national standards to