Electronic health records (EHRs) have been around for a while and have played an important part in the healthcare industry’s transition. EHR systems have helped healthcare practitioners to improve patient care, improve decision-making, and cut healthcare costs. EHRs are projected to continue playing an important role in influencing the future of healthcare as we enter the next decade. In this article, we will look at several EHR forecasts and trends over the next decade.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
The application of AI and machine learning in EHRs is likely to grow over the next decade. AI and machine learning algorithms can assist healthcare practitioners in analyzing patient data and generating insights to enhance patient care. AI-powered EHRs, for example, may identify which patients are likely to acquire specific illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, and propose preventative actions.
Moreover, AI and machine learning can assist healthcare practitioners in automating monotonous processes such as data input and billing, allowing them to focus on patient care. AI-powered chatbots can also assist patients in scheduling appointments, reviewing test results, and seeking medical advice.
Personalized Medicine
Another trend that is predicted to affect the future of healthcare in the coming decade is personalized medicine. EHRs can assist healthcare practitioners in gathering and analyzing patient data, such as genetic information, lifestyle habits, and medical history, to develop tailored treatment regimens for each patient. This strategy may result in improved patient outcomes since therapies may be adjusted to each patient’s particular requirements.
Furthermore, by eliminating unneeded treatments and procedures, customized medicine can assist to cut healthcare expenses. For example, if a patient has a genetic susceptibility to a specific ailment, such as breast cancer, they can get frequent screenings to discover the condition early, rather than having to endure costly treatments later on.
Interoperability
Interoperability is an important element of EHR systems because it allows healthcare professionals to securely and efficiently share patient data with other providers. Interoperability is likely to become increasingly vital over the coming decade as healthcare professionals interact more closely to improve patient care.
EHRs can allow healthcare practitioners to share patient data in real-time, such as medical history, test results, and treatment plans, helping them to make better decisions regarding patient care. Because healthcare practitioners may access up-to-date information about each patient, interoperability can also assist to prevent medical mistakes.
Telehealth
Telemedicine program has been around for a long time, but the COVID-19 epidemic has hastened its spread. Telehealth is predicted to grow increasingly more common over the next decade as it provides various benefits such as better access to treatment, lower healthcare costs, and improved patient outcomes.
EHRs are important in telehealth because they allow healthcare practitioners to collect and exchange patient data remotely. Patients, for example, can utilize telehealth platforms to communicate with healthcare experts, obtain medical advice, and renew medicines. EHRs can also allow healthcare practitioners to remotely monitor patients, such as vital signs and medication adherence.
Blockchain
Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger that may be used to securely store and transfer data. Blockchain is predicted to become more widespread in healthcare over the next decade because of its several benefits, including improved security, privacy, and data integrity.
EHR may use blockchain to securely and decentralize store patient data, allowing healthcare practitioners to access patient data without fear of data breaches or cyber assaults. Blockchain can also give patients more control over their data by allowing them to select who can access it and for what purpose.
Furthermore, because patients may provide permission for their data to be shared with other providers safely and transparently, blockchain can simplify the exchange of patient data between multiple healthcare providers.
Data Analytics
Another development that is predicted to affect the future of healthcare in the coming decade is data analytics. EHRs can assist healthcare practitioners in collecting and analyzing huge volumes of patient data, such as medical history, test results, and treatment plans, to detect trends and produce insights.
Data analytics can assist healthcare practitioners in improving patient outcomes by finding trends and patterns that are not always obvious. Data analytics, for example, can assist healthcare practitioners in identifying people at risk of acquiring specific ailments, such as diabetes or heart disease, and recommending preventative actions.
Moreover, data analytics may assist healthcare practitioners in identifying areas where they can enhance patient care, such as decreasing wait times, increasing medication adherence, and decreasing readmission rates.
Patient Engagement
Another trend that is predicted to affect the future of healthcare in the coming decade is patient participation. By giving patients access to their medical information, test findings, and treatment plans, EHRs may help healthcare practitioners communicate with their patients in a more meaningful way.
By enhancing patient involvement in their treatment, patient engagement can assist to improve patient outcomes. Patients who have access to their medical information, for example, maybe more inclined to ask questions, seek explanations, and offer feedback, which may assist healthcare practitioners to find areas for improvement in patient care.
Moreover, patient involvement can contribute to increased patient satisfaction since patients who feel more involved in their treatment are more likely to have a favorable experience with their healthcare providers.
Conclusion
EHRs are projected to play an important role in defining the future of healthcare during the next decade. AI and machine learning, customized medicine, interoperability, telemedicine, blockchain, data analytics, and patient involvement are some of the themes that will affect healthcare in the future.