Document digitization efforts in health care field to grow significantly
The health care industry as a whole has shifted to electronic health records in recent years, requiring significant investments in bulk scanning and document conversion services. Moreover, that trend is expected to continue for some time to come thanks in large part to the fact that many smaller providers aren't quite up to speed with the growing industry norm.
Currently, this is a global trend, and North American care providers are on the cutting edge of document conversion and management efforts, according to a report from Persistence Market Research. This is true not only because there are so many care providers in the U.S., but also because these digital documents need to be managed on an ongoing basis.
One area of concern, however, is that there may not be enough health care IT professionals to help this sector grow as much as it perhaps could in the next five years or so, the report said. Moreover, concerns about data security and patient privacy remain overarching issues as the field shifts to broader use of electronic health records.
Changing patient preferences
The good news is that many patients are coming around to the benefits of EHRs and a more digital health care experience overall, according to new research from West Monroe Partners. However, providers say they're not sure they're equipped to meet those preferences, and in fact, more than half say they don't know how they would be able to evolve their digital standards to that point quite yet.
"We're starting to see more providers incorporate the digital experience with their office visit, by shifting to more online scheduling of appointments, paperless office interactions, following up via email, portals, and mobile apps, and taking steps towards greater cost and quality transparency," said Will Hinde, senior director at West Monroe Partners and leader of the firm's health care practice.
With this in mind, care providers that have yet to invest in document management services may want investigate ways they can do so relatively soon. By undertaking such efforts as soon as possible, they may be more capable of improving patient satisfaction and positioning themselves for a more digitally-based and connected future.
