Medical Computers and Tablets Can Help Prevent Physician Burnout

Learn how to eliminate dozens of hours of tedious data entry.

Electronic medical records,(EMR) are an established reality for many medical providers: exchanging the bulk and waste of paper records for readily accessible data on the computer. When used properly, EMRs have the ability to streamline the record-keeping process: saving countless hours or time and very likely saving lives in the process. But they’re also a relatively new phenomenon, and as medical institutions implement this new system, the burden falls largely on the shoulders of physicians.

It’s no surprise, then, that numerous doctors and healthcare providers note a steep increase in physician burnout, and EMRs rank very highly among the causes. The American Medical Association estimates that doctors spend twice as much time on average filling out records as they do treating patients. That, in turn, can lead to errors, which can threaten the lives and safety of patients… which is the exact opposite of what EMRs are supposed to do.

The future is digital and EMRs are expected to be the staple for medical organizations across the world going forward. But that doesn’t change the growing pains the industry is experiencing right now, and the real damage to doctors and their patients that often results. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. Medical computers and medical tablets with the proper features can ease the strain caused by EMRs and ensure that they save physicians time and effort instead of adding to their stress.

Mobility Means Efficiency

We’re all accustomed to being on the move, which is part of why cell phones and tablets have become such an indispensable part of daily life. A quality medical-grade tablet can use that to specifically address physician burnout. Telehealth practices allow physicians to be consulted from anywhere without forcing them to travel. A connected tablet lets them perform virtual examinations, update diagnoses and fill out EMRs from anywhere. That cuts down on transit needs, allows for emergency treatment without travel, and keeps the overall time involved in performing their duties.

Barcode Readers Provide Instant Documentation

Time is always a factor in physician burnout. Long work hours and lack of sleep often come with the territory, but that involves necessary – often immediate – patient care. Wasting time or engaging in inefficient practices can exacerbate the problem and drive physicians to burnout.

Medical tablets can help reduce the amount of time spent on standard hospital duties, specifically with additions like barcode scanners. By swiping them across patients’ wristbands, they can instantly gain access to pertinent records, check on medication scheduling, and ensure that treatment sessions are on schedule. That ensures efficient, accurate care while saving a great deal of time in the process.

Long Life Cycles Keep the Technology Simple

One of the biggest challenges to integrating EMRs is the diversity of computer products that a given medical organization may have. Typical out-of-the-box computers have a life cycle of perhaps 2 years before they become obsolete in favor of a new “upgrade” or completely new system. This can wreak havoc with a healthcare organization attempting to implement EMRs. Different types of computer mean different operating parameters, which makes integration difficult and forces staff members to waste hours of time wrangling with it. The process for adding information may differ wildly from system to system and retrieving data once it’s in the system can become an exercise in frustration. And yet, hospitals rarely have the resources to completely replace their computers in a single go. They often stagger the addition of new systems over time to stay within their budgets, which only compounds the problem.

Medical computers, on the other hand, often have longer life cycles: 3-5 years in many cases. That means that hospitals can purchase new units over time and still have them integrate with existing units. In return, EMRs can be unified and simplified under a single type of computer, making them easier to access and simplifying the process considerably.

Cybernet Manufacturing produces an array of quality medical computers designed for maximum efficiency. If your organization is looking for ways to reduce physician burnout, contact our team today to discuss your options!