The Internet of Things is starting to enmesh itself into healthcare on both the doctor and patient fronts and is transforming healthcare. This change is two-pronged: the development in the technology used in electronic health records (EHR) and growth in the use of connected digital medical devices. It is of utmost importance that Medical Recruiters are aware of these trends as it affects their recruiting practices.
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) was introduced in 2009 to motivate the implementation of EHR. This Act can be credited for the enormous technological leap and in the use of EHR. Less than a decade ago, 90% of doctors in the U.S. updated their patients’ records by hand and stored them in color-coded files. Today, more than half of all office-based physicians maintain electronic files, which include patients’ demographic information, procedures, test results and prescribed drugs. This helps doctors and hospitals better coordinate their patients’ care.
Glucose monitors, thermometers, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and many other devices are increasingly becoming internet-connected, allowing both patients and doctors to track their health. Important data can be transmitted to the doctor allowing patients to be monitored remotely. It can alert doctors to changes in a patient’s condition and support medication adherence. Adopting the use of these technologies enables effective integration and management of care.
Digital technology is advancing exponentially, allowing for the delivery of safer, more efficient and cost-effective care. Familiarity with the use of digital medical technology is fast becoming a condition of employment.
It is important that Medical Recruiters encourage employers to adopt these technologies if they are not already using them. Some medical facilities may be reluctant to implement them due to high cost and learning curve. Inform them of the availability of HITECH grants and loans. Recruiters need to convince employers that this is the wave of the future in which they need to invest, in order to remain competitive and attract doctors who are acclimatized with the use of new technology.
