Technology and Healthcare

Advancements in the last century have been unfounded. From the first radio broadcast in 1906 to portable audio players developed by Sony in 1979 to the first release iPod in 2001, fast forward to today and everyone has their music synced on their smartphone and even smart watches. Nowadays there are mobile applications for just about every need and almost anything can be done with a click of a button. Yet one industry seems to be lagging a bit behind and that is health care.

While venture funding of healthcare in the United States has increased throughout the 2000s, the industry has a unique set of challenges to overcome with technology adaption.

Reasons for Slow Technology Adaption in Healthcare

Here are some of perhaps many reasons healthcare has not become even more automized.

#1 Data Protection Policies

Data protection policies are put in place for a great reason, especially in an industry such as healthcare as this information is often sensitive. Healthcare technology has to comply with stringent health information technology and security standards or they may end up with multi-million dollars fine for HIPAA violations.

This can be tricky as well as off putting for some innovators looking for easy access to an industry. Not only that but healthcare professionals understand these privacy policies and are often skeptical with switching to new ways of working because current systems are compliant.

#2 Expensive to Implement

Innovation is often expensive and implementing new technology can be pricey. Not only does the implementation costs a lot but often times with new technology - whether its a software or a new medical device - requires training. Training can cost a lot with regards to the training programs but also the time it takes from healthcare professionals who are already short on time.

#3 Unique Needs

Healthcare innovation is important but it also isn't easy to disrupt from the outside. Almost anyone can think of a new mobile application and partner up with a developer to solve a common day issue but healthcare issues are much more complex.

Not only that but those on the inside such as healthcare professionals are busy saving lives and innovation requires a lot of time they may not have. Plus healthcare professionals may be a bit skeptical of products made by those that do not understand the system or worse the products may not actually solve a need care providers have.

Healthcare Technology Revolutionizing Healthcare

An example of a company that has been able to meet all the unique challenges stated above is eNavvi. eNAvvi is an online formulary database that includes all formulary information for every formulary that exists so healthcare providers can use this one resource for all their prescribing needs.

eNavvi was developed by a group of physicians that understands the complex needs of doctors on a daily basis and helps to save time and money for providers. The tool was developed to help with needs such as prior authorizations and finding medications that are affordable for their patients.

The current online website and soon to launch mobile application is free for healthcare professionals to download making it accessible to not only physicians but the general public as well. It is also easy to use and requires no prior training bringing down cost barriers to the uptake of this technology.

Not only will this product help to improve healthcare professionals workflow but it will also lead to better health outcomes for the general public which is why healthcare innovation is so important. At the heart of healthcare is a health society so it is necessary that products that can both streamline process and improve the lives and health of all.

Katya Prevallet is passionate about health care and bringing drug price transparency to others so that everyone can find the best and most affordable medications as treatment options.