PATIENT CARE
! individuals, their families and the health service. So how can tech reduce this burden? QUICKER, MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSES Let’s start at the beginning. If T1D isn’t discovered early it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Harmful substances called ketones build up in the body, which can be life-threatening if not spotted and treated quickly. Yet type 1 diabetes is often misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes or not diagnosed at all. In fact, 25 per cent of people with T1D are in a state of DKA at diagnosis, often rushed to hospital in an ambulance. Earlier diagnosis would get people on to insulin earlier and avoid DKA. Whilst no-one is advocating swapping qualified health professionals for robots, intelligent symptom checker apps can be easier to access and offer early warnings of what your symptoms could be. Groups that are known to be reluctant to visit doctors could be alerted to the likelihood of a more serious problem whilst simply using their mobile phone. Technology can also help to direct people to the right part of the health service, for faster diagnosis, reducing unnecessary tests and hospital time.
Digital Technology
BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net
In January 2015 NHS England reported that 91 per cent of patients are now registered with a practice that offers online booking, but only 6.5 per cent of patients actually use the service TRANSFORMING PATIENT SERVICES Technology has hugely improved the way that people transact with a whole range of services – reducing laborious tasks and environmental waste, providing quicker, better levels of service and allowing us to get on with more interesting things. The Nuffield Trust estimates that there are around a million consultations in General Practice every day. In January 2015, NHS England reported that 91 per cent of patients are now registered with a practice that offers online booking, but only 6.5 per cent of patients actually use the service. The cost of the patient and the professionals’ time in booking these appointments in person and over the phone – with confirmation letters posted afterwards – must be huge. For people with long-term conditions like
T1D this problem is exacerbated, due to the sheer number of healthcare professionals they will need to see. In any given year they are likely to pick up more than a dozen prescriptions, have any number of blood tests, have a review with a diabetes consultant up to four times a year, foot checks, a retinal scan and so on. For most people this involves a mess of paper, multiple visits, different institutions and no consideration of the effect on their ability to work/study/parent etc. The future iteration of NHS.UK should fix this. There are plans afoot for NHS.UK to become the one stop shop for health services that your online banking can be for your finances. A simple portal, backed up by scheduling software should allow more coordinated care, with appointments scheduled to fit in with life not the other way round. Changing "
Volume 17.3 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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