Numerous studies indicate that nearly 40% of people over 65 experience negative feelings regarding their loneliness, which can result in psychological pain manifesting as despair and emptiness. At Tunstall Spain, we are experiencing first-hand how this directly affects the physical and psychological well-being of vulnerable people.

Psychologically, loneliness is heartbreaking and can even affect a person’s physical health. Loneliness can trigger depressive symptoms, worsen sleep problems, decrease cognitive functioning, and elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, as well as exacerbate any existing mental health issues (National Library of Medicine).

Every day, our call centres witness this loneliness first-hand. For example, many of our call centre operators refer to a common phenomenon where older women in particular claim that their call was a mistake, that they accidentally hit their button when they were trying to ‘open a jar’ against their chest. Our team recognises that this is code for someone who used their emergency call button just because they wanted to talk to someone.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. The more an elderly person has social connections, the greater the protection against suffering from loneliness and developing neurological conditions such as dementia. And this sits at the heart of how we address loneliness, as a health problem, in Spain.

So, what role does proactive and preventative care play in the future of health and care and how can technology help to reduce the impact of loneliness?

Using technology to support those most at risk from loneliness

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 older people experience social isolation. In fact, the UN and WHO have recognised social isolation and loneliness as a priority public health problem: people lacking social connection face a higher risk of not only mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression but also physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Taken together, the WHO Commission on Social Connection reports that people lacking social connection face a higher risk of early death.

Tunstall Healthcare operates globally, and I have responsibility for all our operations across Spain. Spain is one of the countries with the highest ageing population rates internationally, with the elderly representing 20% of the Spanish population. According to projections by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, by 2040, this could increase to over 27% of the total population – totalling over 14.2 million elderly people.

Ageing often comes with a reduction in social networks, whether due to children and extended family living further away, loss of friends due to illness or age-related death or even a decline in the individual’s health and wellbeing. All these factors can hinder activity for people and restrict their participation in the local community. This can occur anywhere, but can be especially pronounced in rural areas where geographic isolation and lack of infrastructure can limit social networks. This lack of connection with family and friends is one of the most common causes of loneliness, with elderly people left with no immediate support or sense of community.

What does personalised care look like?

Using technology such as telecare to support older people to live independently is an established approach in Spain. And loneliness is one of the many issues we are able to address in our proactive technology model of telecare.

The telecare service is an essential preventive programme across the region for risk detection, primarily aimed at the elderly population. The majority of individuals using these services in Spain are over 80 years old; at Tunstall Spain, this figure exceeds 70%.

Tunstall Spain has been delivering proactive care programmes since 1994, and personalised care since 2016. The teleassistance service in Spain combines telecare monitoring and response, coordinates social care and third-party services and delivers proactive outbound contact. In all, Tunstall Spain takes care of more than 300,000 users.

Across our Spanish telecare partnerships, we have implemented a proactive, personalised care model to pre-empt and address any care needs before they arise, throughout a person’s care journey.

The model has evolved from providing reactive services – responding to a critical incident, such as a fall, as it happens – to putting proactive measures in place to prevent the event from occurring or reduce its severity and potential impact before it takes place.

Going one step further, we are now able to personalise this by tailoring how we support an individual based on their specific needs. We can use data collected over time to predict when incidents are about to happen. By understanding early warning signs, we can intervene to put preventive measures in place.

In Spain, the system is built to focus on three areas: monitoring the user’s activity at home, talking to them about their perception of their own health, and observing their routines or habits of behaviour. We then use strategies and technology to detect any anomalies in a routine that may present risks – this includes the potential risk of experiencing unwanted loneliness.

Specifically for detecting loneliness, risk factors such as age, living alone, perceived social support, and social participation are all considered. If a risk factor is detected, the feelings of loneliness are identified, using the Jong Gierveld loneliness scale, which also helps differentiate the type of loneliness experienced by each individual. This ensures that the service provision is always delivered to those who need it most, and they will always receive an appropriate and agreed level of personalised assistance.

Our call centre staff use proactive care measures, such as making outbound calls, to check on people and issue daily reminders to the individual, such as to take medication or about doctor’s appointments. Not only does this help to address loneliness, but it also provides a level of personalised care for the individual, a means of building rapport and a sense of community.

Connecting from your own home

One of the largest regional governments in Spain came up with a new initiative to bring the service closer to users by incorporating advanced digital technologies into their daily lives. The idea is that individuals are connected through group video calls, hosted and managed by care professionals, and in turn leveraging technology to help reduce the risk of loneliness.

Historically the most common devices used to achieve this would be digital tablets or smartphones, but these tend to be a challenge for people with visual and auditory difficulties, not to mention those who have not acquired sufficient digital skills to operate these devices.

For this reason, Tunstall has proposed a technological solution that converts the user’s conventional television into an interactive device that can bring friends, family and caregivers into the comfort of their homes via a video call. This gives them instant connection to the wider community. It provides an accessible and non-intrusive option for a group call or a conversation between the individual and a care provider. Through the development of this system, a community engagement program has been born, bringing together over 500 people via a virtual community space, where they can connect to individuals in similar situations or across other care settings with comparable circumstances.

Elsewhere, throughout major cities across Spain, a network collaboration project has been developed in partnership with volunteer organisations, where telecare technology plays the role of detecting the risk of loneliness and referring individuals in need of help to improve their social network, participate in community activities and resources, as well as for those who cannot leave their homes or require a chaperone.

Loneliness and social isolation are major threats to elderly people all around the world. Connecting people with like-minded individuals at a community level will undoubtedly help alleviate these challenges. In Spain, we increased the stay on the service from 4 years to almost 5.5 years, suggesting users are staying happier and more independently at home for longer periods of time. This has benefits not only for the end users—but the wider health and care systems who benefit financially and operationally when they can keep people independent at home for longer, rather than prematurely having to live in care homes or residential facilities.

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a health crisis. With predictive telecare connected to the right networks and support systems, we can fight isolation, champion connection and promote good health—enhancing quality of life for all.

By Abel Delgado, Managing Director of Tunstall Spain

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For bilingual Alzheimer’s and dementia patients living in a country where the language is not their native tongue, the challenge can be particularly stark. The condition affects language skills, meaning that many lose the ability to communicate effectively in their second language and revert to their mother tongue as their cognitive abilities decline. This can lead to significant barriers in care, as basic needs are misunderstood or unmet.

Imagine being unable to express pain, hunger or distress in a language that the person looking after you can understand and act upon. Sadly, this is the reality for many.

Where are current models falling short?

While the Care Quality Commission (CQC) calls for culturally appropriate care, the traditional agency model, which remains dominant in the UK, often prevents this from being delivered. This approach to health and social care prioritises filling shifts in any way possible over finding Care Professionals who are the best match for the client, be it linguistically, culturally or in terms of experience. Local authorities, care homes and private clients alike tend to default to the standard care agency route, inadvertently creating barriers to effective care.

As care agencies offer little control over who comes to provide care, patients from diverse backgrounds may find themselves paired with a Care Professional who doesn’t speak their language or understand their culture. This can lead to miscommunication, frustration for both client and Care Professional, and poorer health outcomes.

The shift towards cultural alignment

The only way to ensure Alzheimer’s patients are getting the care they need, no matter their background, is to prioritise a new approach to finding Care Professionals which recognises the role of cultural sensitivity and choice in delivering the highest quality care. Having a Care Professional who can communicate with you in your language is not a nice-to-have, it is the foundation of the most basic level of good care. Care experiences improve when a client feels understood and respected, and this is why clear communication is so central to building trust and a solid working relationship.

This is particularly true for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, who are more susceptible to anxiety and agitation due to their condition. Hiring a consistent Care Professional who is a cultural fit and can therefore communicate, anticipate needs and respect traditions is invaluable. The sense of familiarity and safety that this creates minimises the margin of error for miscommunication and frustration. Alzheimer’s patients also tend to be sensitive to change, so being able to assure that the same culturally competent Care Professional will be supporting them greatly improves care outcomes.

How technology can bridge the gap

The shift to a care format that enables greater choice and control is pivotal for providing the best Alzheimer’s care, but how do we make that happen? As with optimising many areas of health care, technology is the solution here.

Innovative platforms are leveraging technology to make patient-centred care simpler by enabling targeted filtering of Care Professionals based on language and clinical skills. This is revolutionising how we approach care, with choice and control embedded into the very heart of the system. The ability to refine searches to match specific cultural, linguistic and clinical needs ensures every patient can find a Care Professional who truly understands them.

On Curam’s platform, for example, there are over 7,000 Care Professionals nationwide with dementia care experience and nearly 5,000 speak multiple languages. Of all the Care Professionals on the platform, 30 languages are spoken with French, Spanish, Urdu, Romanian and Polish the most common. Easy-to-use filtering allows public and private sector clients to quickly find someone who matches their needs.

This is a smarter approach to care that leverages technology to streamline the process. It reduces the administrative burden of finding and assigning suitable Care Professionals, ultimately freeing up more time and resources to reinvest into direct care.

Rethinking the future of culturally competent Alzheimer’s care

For healthcare professionals and care providers who want to improve their Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, embracing digital health and care innovation that challenges the limitations of traditional care models is vital. By relying on such technologies, we can build a care environment that is truly inclusive and sensitive to the needs of every individual.

Moving staff acquisition to online Care Professional marketplaces improves efficiency and reduces costs, but most crucially, it allows for the delivery of outstanding, culturally competent care that respects the patient, their identity and their dignity. This should be the standard in the future of Alzheimer’s care.

On World Alzheimer’s Day and beyond, we must commit to a future where every patient has access to care that is centred around their personal experiences and makes their life living with the condition as comfortable as possible. Using the right technology is the first step to breaking down these barriers and building a health and social care system that serves all members of society, no matter their background.

By Patrick Wallace, Director and Co-Founder, Curam

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Both Salisbury and Bath, which will go live in February 2025 and June 2025 respectively, will transition from a dual paper and digital notes system to a fully digital system, effectively streamlining the operations of the maternity units. This innovative change, which will be fully complete next year, ensures that staff now have immediate access to pregnancy records, solving previous challenges associated with paper-based storage, such as when patients received care from different units or were unable to bring their paper records with them. With the record readily available to patients and staff, this integrated approach will enhance patient experience and provide more informed care.

Badger Notes revolutionises the accessibility of pregnancy records for around 10,000 women and pregnant people across the region through a user-friendly app/portal. Clinicians can also seamlessly access real-time information and document every event, regardless of the care setting – be it at any of the three Trusts, in the community, or at home. This innovative approach ensures an enhanced and comprehensive experience for all involved stakeholders.

Clare Gilliland, Digital Lead Midwife at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust said, “We’re looking forward to being able to use System C’s BadgerNet system to provide greater joined up care for our women and pregnant people. We were particularly interested in community functions as our midwives will be able to view the records offline in the event of no signal or wi-fi in the family home and reconnect when signal becomes available.”

Linked Maternity System

All three trusts will link the maternity system with its existing BadgerNet neonatal system. Staff at the trusts will benefit from being able to access the BadgerNet single neonatal record that is used in 99.9% neonatal units across the UK. Frontline staff will be able to access the entire patient record, across different sites, whenever they need it. Community midwives will also benefit as the system enables real-time recording of all events wherever they occur, so they are not duplicating information or missing key details back at the hospital.

Speaking on the partnership, Clair Murphy, Digital Lead Midwife at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said, “It’s great that we’ve been able to work in partnership together as three trusts to get BadgerNet. This joined up approach means we can provide women, pregnant people and their families with a safe and effective service, while delivering the highest standard of maternity and neonatal care. The ability to have a single pregnancy record was one of the main drivers for us choosing BadgerNet.”

The adoption of the BadgerNet solution has similarly benefited Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. Claire Lillywhite, Digital Lead Midwife at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust comments, “BadgerNet has been long awaited here at Salisbury and we look forward to the benefits of improving the ability to note share, work offline and the ability to access care records 24/7. This will make a huge improvement to our data quality and our ability to extract it, not only saving us a lot of time but also improving the accuracy and availability of data, which will be able to be reviewed in real time.”

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In the intricate web of healthcare, patient insights are one of the most valuable hidden gems. Patient insights are valuable data that often linger in the background of clinical trials and treatment plans composed of personal stories and unique experiences.  Yet, how often do we harness these insights to their full potential?

The quest for these ‘a-ha’ moments extends beyond data accumulation; it involves delving into the intricate tapestry of patient experiences, clinical trials, and drug reactions. The power of these insights lies in their rarity and transformative capability to shape strategies and cater directly to customer needs.

Integrating Feedback: Catalyzing Company Transformation

The process of obtaining these insights has historically been laden with challenges. It’s a time-consuming task that can fall prey to cumbersome methodologies. Yet, with the advent of technology, we are shifting how we capture, interpret, and use these insights.

One of the most impactful ways technology transforms the healthcare industry is by directly integrating patient feedback into communication, capture, and analysis workflows. Company transformation hinges on seamlessly incorporating these insights into the day-to-day operations. By placing feedback at the heart of key workflows, organizations can streamline processes and adapt swiftly to meet evolving patient needs.

Real-life success stories illuminate the potential of strategic insights. Companies that have effectively used these insights benefit from tangible outcomes. Take, for instance, a pharmaceutical firm that identified a gap in patient understanding during clinical trials. By implementing patient-centric adjustments based on these insights, they witnessed improved adherence rates and enhanced patient satisfaction, ultimately leading to better treatment outcomes.

The role of AI in analyzing and interpreting customer feedback cannot be overstated. AI goes beyond merely collecting data; it can identify intricate patterns, uncover hidden correlations, and forecast future trends. By leveraging AI, healthcare providers can glean deeper, more nuanced insights from the wealth of patient information, allowing for more personalized and effective care.

Towards a Patient-Centric Future: Repurposing Insights for Transformation

The reimagining of insights as the cornerstone of a new brand of customer-centricity represents an important shift in healthcare. Patient insights, when repurposed effectively, pave the way for a future that is more attuned to the needs of those it serves. This reorientation fosters an environment where patients are not just recipients of care but are active participants in their own health journey, improving care for others as well. Insights facilitate the creation of tailored solutions and treatments, steering healthcare toward a more empathetic and patient-centric future.

It is imperative to understand that patient insights are not just data points but narratives that transcend the confines of clinical trials and drug reactions. Insights guide the healthcare industry toward a more compassionate and effective approach.

Embracing the Power of Patient Insights: Shaping the Future of Healthcare

Patient insights are the cornerstone for building a more empathetic, effective, and patient-centered healthcare system. Their acknowledgment and integration into the fabric of healthcare practices are beneficial and essential for a future where patient needs are not just met but anticipated and exceeded. This is the path towards a better patient future—one where their voices are considered amidst healthcare decisions and innovations.

In this evolving landscape, stakeholders in the healthcare industry have a responsibility to recognize the transformative potential of patient insights. It requires a collective effort to reframe the narrative surrounding insights, viewing them not as a byproduct of processes but as invaluable assets that can revolutionize healthcare strategies.

The significance of insights lies not only in their rarity but also in their capacity to humanize healthcare. They offer a glimpse into patients’ lives, struggles, and hopes, enabling healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and policymakers to craft solutions that resonate with the individuals they aim to serve.

In the quest for better healthcare, we should not overlook the power and potential inherent in patient insights. They are the stories, experiences, and aspirations of those at the heart of the healthcare system. Recognizing their worth and leveraging technology to harness insights is not just an option—it’s an imperative step towards building a healthcare landscape that truly places patients at its center.

By Jason Smith, CTO of Within3

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These digital aides are transforming the healthcare landscape, adeptly managing multiple roles with precision and efficiency. As you navigate your healthcare needs, MVAs are critical, from coordinating your appointments to assisting in diagnostic processes.  

This article explores the multifaceted roles of medical virtual assistants and how they are elevating the standard of medical efficiency. 

Appointments And Scheduling 

Your journey to medical efficiency starts when you schedule an appointment. Medical virtual assistants have made this process as simple as sending a chat message or issuing a voice command. The frustrating days of long waits and searching for an appropriate time slot are history.  

Now, these digital specialists employ algorithms to align your availability with healthcare professionals, making the process seamless. Moreover, a medical virtual assistant can proactively manage your appointments by sending reminders, organizing follow-ups, and facilitating changes should rescheduling be necessary.  

Integrated with electronic health records (EHRs), they ensure you’re prepared for your visit by managing pre-appointment requirements. Their skill in coordinating complex schedules and liaising with multiple departments is invaluable, especially for multidisciplinary care where synchronization is critical. 

Patient Intake And Data Management 

Upon arrival, MVAs handle the patient intake process. They digitally collect and organize your personal health information, eliminating the need for paper forms. Guiding you through each step they ensure accuracy and confidentiality while instantly updating the EHR system. 

This approach not only saves time but also enhances data accuracy, thereby reducing entry errors. With immediate processing of your information, healthcare providers can access your medical history and essential details, allowing them to focus on your care. 

Beyond intake, MVAs diligently update your records, integrating test results and doctor’s notes. This ongoing curation is crucial in a healthcare system that depends on quick, informed decisions. 

Remote Monitoring And Telehealth 

Remote patient monitoring is expanding, and medical virtual assistants are central to its effectiveness. They assist in setting up home monitoring devices, remind you to record your health metrics, and ensure the data reaches your healthcare provider safely. 

During telehealth sessions, MVAs manage the technical setup for a smooth virtual visit. They present pertinent health data, facilitating an informed discussion about your condition. After the consultation, MVAs continue their support, coordinating any additional steps your healthcare provider suggests. 

Communication Between Patients And Providers 

Effective communication is vital to quality healthcare. MVAs maintain a consistent information flow between you and your healthcare provider. They alert your doctor to significant health changes, forward messages via your patient portal, and ensure your inquiries are promptly addressed. 

They also maintain post-visit communication by providing lab results, explaining medication instructions, and offering customized educational materials that align with your health plan. By bridging the communication gaps between visits, they nurture a continuous partnership with your healthcare team. 

Moreover, MVAs’ multilingual capabilities remove language barriers, allowing you to receive information in the language you’re most comfortable with making healthcare more accessible and personalized. 

Prescription Management 

Managing prescriptions is streamlined with medical virtual assistants. They oversee the refill process, send dosage reminders, and alert you when it’s time to renew your prescription. 

They meticulously cross-check your medication with your health records, notifying providers of any potential drug interactions. This vigilance significantly reduces the risk of side effects, ensuring a safer course of treatment. MVAs also contribute to cost-effective treatment by identifying generic alternatives and spotlighting assistance programs. 

Patient Education And Engagement 

Every health journey is unique, and MVAs offer personalized guidance at each step. They provide access to extensive medical libraries, delivering educational content tailored to your condition or treatment plan. 

MVAs motivate you to engage actively in your health by setting goals, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements, making the journey to wellness more inspiring. 

Continuous Improvement Through Machine Learning 

The potential of MVAs is rooted in their ability to learn and adapt. By employing machine learning algorithms, they analyze interactions and outcomes to refine their performance continually. They’re programmed to become more helpful, streamline processes, and anticipate needs. 

Their commitment to constant improvement means MVAs are perpetually evolving to serve you better. They stay current with changes in healthcare practices, regulatory standards, and patient preferences. 

This evolution includes recognizing patterns that could signal health issues, thus enabling early intervention. It’s a proactive approach to healthcare maintenance, ensuring you receive timely and effective care. 

Conclusion 

Looking ahead, envision a healthcare experience that becomes increasingly seamless, tailored, and technology-driven. The advancements in medical virtual assistants are just the beginning.  

These innovations are laying the groundwork for an era of unprecedented healthcare efficiency and personalization. With MVAs by your side, you’re equipped with a dynamic tool that helps manage your health effectively, allowing you to focus on what matters most—living your life to the fullest. 

The post From Scheduling To Diagnosis: The Multi-Functional Role of Medical Virtual Assistants appeared first on .

Despite the large number of people who we know struggle to conceive, fertility care provision in the UK is sorely lagging behind. Those seeking support with infertility face a minefield of hurdles and barriers.

On the NHS, access to care is dependent on where you live, with a postcode lottery meaning treatment options and wait lists vary significantly across different regions. Data also shows that NHS funded IVF fell by 17% between 2019-2021, limiting available treatment even further. This leaves many prospective parents no choice but to turn to private clinics. But inhibitively high costs lead many into debt, while leaving others unable to undergo treatment at all.

The situation is even worse for minority groups, including single parents, LGBTQ+ couples and those undergoing secondary infertility. Access to treatment such as IVF frequently requires people to meet numerous and stringent thresholds. Until changes proposed in the Women’s Health Strategy come into play, same-sex female couples must self-fund six rounds of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) before they can access IVF on the NHS (heterosexual couples need to have been trying to conceive naturally for two years to qualify for the same treatment).

This inequality in access to support, and the significant gap between demand for and availability of affordable and effective care, makes fertility a space that is ripe for innovation. New solutions and technologies are desperately needed to help bridge the fertility gap and meet the growing need for care and support services. Innovation also has a vital role to play in making fertility care more inclusive, breaking down the discriminatory barriers that currently leave minority groups at an even greater disadvantage when accessing care.

Luckily, we’re seeing this call for innovation being answered. There is no shortage of pioneering initiatives emerging to help fix the fertility gap. Not only does this next wave of innovation promise to improve the efficacy of and access to fertility treatment, but new technologies are also making it easier to generate broader and more diverse fertility data, which is vital for improving future knowledge and care.

Advancing clinical capabilities 

A great deal of innovation is focused on advancing the accuracy and capability of clinical fertility procedures. These tools are helping improve our understanding of the causes of infertility, as well as broadening treatment options for those who require medical intervention.

Most notably, the UK recently celebrated its first ever successful womb transplant. This pioneering technique promises to unlock new opportunities for those born without a uterus, or who have had to undergo hysterectomy, to carry their own children. It’s a watershed moment which demonstrates the power of ongoing innovation for unlocking new potential for patients.

Other clinical advancements include the introduction of three-person IVF. Having become the first country to legalise the procedure back in 2015, this year the UK saw the birth of its first baby using three people’s DNA.

Empowering patients to take fertility into their own hands

Outside the clinic, a wealth of innovation is also placing greater power in prospective parents’ hands. Earlier this year, the UK’s first ever clinical grade at-home fertility treatment was launched by UK company Béa Fertility. By reviving an existing fertility procedure – called Intracervical Insemination (ICI) – it’s enabling those struggling to conceive to safely perform artificial insemination in the comfort of their own home. With no hormonal stimulation involved, it’s reducing the risks and side effects for those undergoing treatment, and providing a less invasive, more accessible and cost effective step on their fertility journey (Béa’s treatment is twenty times cheaper than IVF).

With the Cost of Living crisis making clinical procedures, such as IVF and IUI, even less affordable, safe access to cheaper alternatives, such as ICI, is only gaining in importance. By expanding fertility care outside of the clinic, innovations like these are also increasing accessibility for those struggling with stigma, by offering a more discreet and less invasive treatment option and giving people greater control over their fertility journey.

Encompassing the whole fertility journey 

Innovation is also recognising the need for holistic, wraparound fertility support. It’s not all about the physical treatment – those struggling to conceive are also in great need of community, information, and wellbeing support.

We’re seeing significant progress in solutions arming patients with the tools to test and understand their own fertility. At-home sperm testing kits are becoming increasingly sophisticated, supporting couples to explore the potential causes of infertility in a safe and comfortable environment. This is particularly important for its role in improving the visibility of male-factor infertility. Data shows public perception still sees fertility as a women’s problem, despite half of fertility problems originating in a male partner.

Fertility tech is also breaking new ground by entering the workplace, with access to fertility benefits becoming a growing concern for employers. Technology is helping provide virtual support services, connecting people with the right care and providing them with the knowledge to make the best decision for their own personal health.

Closing the fertility care gap is vital to ensuring that patients are able to safely and affordably start their own families. Technology is key to unlocking new treatment options, empowering individuals to take control of their own fertility and providing the community and support they so desperately need. We’re only just seeing the baby steps of what is possible with fertility tech. I’m excited to see what comes next.

By Dr Hannah Allen – NHS GP

The post Harnessing Innovation to Bridge the Fertility Gap appeared first on .

The Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan once said that ‘when information overload occurs, pattern recognition is how to determine truth.’ But the problem is that so much of the data generated by healthcare organisations is unstructured, siloed, and not readily accessible, making it difficult (if not impossible) to uncover those key patterns at the heart of the data.

Indeed, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reports that up to 80% of any given patient’s medical record can be unstructured. And much of it is held across multiple siloed repositories, making it difficult to access, examine and use to actually deliver patient care.

With all of that in the way, how can healthcare organisations get to grips with the data, and transform from a state of information overload to one of smart, integrated care delivery?

Integration to acceleration

It is vital for practitioners in healthcare to be able to understand and utilise the value of unstructured patient information. This information can include inter-provider communications about a patient, letters of medical necessity, referrals, practitioners’ notes, and images such as scan results or pictures of a visible condition.

The first step in using data to deliver better patient care is to integrate all of this information, breaking down the siloes between segmenting different parts of the healthcare ecosystem. Piecing this fragmented data together will give those on the frontline of patient care and planning the context and visibility they need to improve and accelerate treatment for patients.

Technology, of course, is key to this. No team of human operators, no matter how well-resourced, could hope to process and parse zettabytes of data held in these repositories, so providers need tech that can gather it all up, structure it and create a fully integrated, patient-centric view of all essential information. This must go beyond the standard electronic medical record (EMR) in capturing everything – regardless of source, location, or format – relevant to improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

Using the latest enterprise content management technology, data from legacy EMR systems can be archived, paper records can be captured and digitized, and all of this data can then be delivered in actionable, contextual form to the practitioner within the patient’s current medical record. This can also help in addressing specific needs around social determinants of health, and gaps in care which both require data beyond the typical medical record.

This also has the benefit of improving collaboration between individuals in care teams, as well as multi-disciplinary teams. It all boils down to getting healthcare practitioners the information they need, when they need it. So, whether they are reviewing records in the course of planning treatment or dealing directly with patients, an integrated record is key.

The value of advanced enterprise content management systems also extends to another great challenge in the industry: data security and compliance. Sharing information between individuals, teams, and sites obviously means it is vulnerable to exposure during that transfer. Enterprise content management makes it possible to automate compliance protocols, so that risk of data exposure is reduced without inhibiting collaboration.

Taming the data to create an integrated future for healthcare

Taming the unruly mass of data generated by a proliferating number of devices is the crucial next step in the transformation of healthcare. Technologies that can integrate, automate, and deliver patient information accurately and securely will become increasingly key as that transformation plays out over the coming months and years. Within that, expect modern enterprise content management to play a pivotal role in the technology mix.

This remains a challenging time for many in the sector, with cost pressures, public health crises and operational complexities getting in the way of delivering great care. But if there’s one thing we all know by now, it’s the resiliency and adaptability of the healthcare sector.

With the right approach to managing patient information, I think there are some really exciting opportunities waiting to be grasped in changing the way we improve quality of life for people all around the world.

By Scott Lundstrom, Sr. Industry Strategist – Healthcare at OpenText

The post The Smarter Way to Deliver Patient Care in the Information Age appeared first on .

The short answer is: not yet, but there is a vast amount of potential and more that can be done to better support the community. Technology is proven to be incredibly beneficial to the autistic community, especially for the growing list of 140,000 people waiting for an autism assessment, predicted to reach 190,000 by 2024.

There’s a real need for support. So, I wanted to share some of my experiences and insights into how technology can help provide it.

Changing attitudes

Support issues begin in those crucial and formative years at school. Max is my son. He’s 22. And he is severely dyslexic. He had a pretty rubbish time all the way through school – it just was not set up for a dyslexic learner. What really frustrated me was the attitude of the school to technology.

Back then, teachers would give homework by writing on the whiteboard and have the kids make handwritten notes. If you’re dyslexic, you’ve got processing issues that make it hard to read it; you’ve got handwriting issues that make it hard to write it. And then you come home at night and you can’t read your own writing. You don’t do your homework and you get into trouble. So what do we do?

We suggested that Max was simply allowed to use his phone to take a photograph of the board. The school’s answer? “We don’t have phones in class.” So what did they do? They actually paid to have a teaching assistant in the classroom to help Max and other students write down the homework off the board. Stigmatising, not empowering, and expensive. It was so frustrating that the technology was there and students weren’t being allowed or empowered to use it.

This stance can sometimes be reflected in the public sector, be that with a local authority or NHS health care provider. It can feel like a nice-to-have option rather than positioning technology as the way forward. We need to put technology front and centre in how we reimagine services. In every local authority, there are record-level staff vacancies, and budgets are massively constrained. As such, we have to think differently about how services are going to be delivered. Technology is going to be fundamental.

The need for support

How many autistic people are there in England? Usual estimates put the figure between 700,000 and a million, a prevalence of around 1%. But a recent study published in The Lancet suggests it’s nearer 1.5 million people. The important part is that about a third of people are not diagnosed.

This matters. There is a depressingly high prevalence of suicide amongst the autistic population, and also a very high incidence of anxiety in autistic people. So it’s not just bad that people aren’t getting a diagnosis, it’s outrageous, because health outcomes are so much worse for autistic people than for people who aren’t autistic.

This contributes to the fact that only one in five autistic people are in employment. For me, that’s just a tragic loss of human potential. I know many more people could be in work with the right support.

A recent independent national study led by Professor Rohit Shankar at Plymouth University examined how the Brain in Hand support system can help people, particularly autistic people. A team from across several different universities and NHS trusts independently evaluated our work and found that what we do improves quality of life, reduces anxiety, and reduces self-injurious behaviour.  Moreover, it signals the potential of technology to meet the support needs of autistic people.

So what is this support? In a nutshell, it involves finding the best ways of combining technology and human support, using simple digital tools that help with managing overwhelm, anxiety, and motivation. Users have personalised coping strategies and resources on their phones when they need them. Specialist coaches work with them to help identify challenges and develop solutions to overcome them; and when things are difficult, users have access to on-demand 24/7 human support at the click of a button.

Let me bring this to life with a couple of stories.

Real-life examples of how technology has helped the autistic community

Ian is a senior civil servant, and he is autistic. He struggles with managing stress and anxiety, which leads to insomnia. There was a risk that he was either going to have to leave his job or have periods out of work. So he was given digital support, helping him with planning and managing anxiety. His experience was that the right support could make the difference between being able to stay in work or needing time out. When he found a change of manager disorienting, he was able to use his digital support to work through it and continue bringing his talents to his job. This is what technology gave him.

And similarly, Remie, who had a late diagnosis and was managing an eating disorder. Her experience was that she was getting very overwhelmed, very burnt out, and struggling to establish routines. She has now been able to get back into work. She credits simple technology that was personalised to her, her needs, and the challenges she was encountering. This is technology that’s helping people overcome barriers in society that stop them getting into education, getting into work and living independently.

There are lots of other products emerging using technology to help us. Headspace, for example, can teach us how to meditate, and Kooth is online therapy. The more solutions like this, the better – as long as they are safe and effective (which is why I think robust research is so important). But there aren’t many that have been designed with autistic people in mind. Again, this matters.

If you’re not designing a product with your end user in mind, you can’t be confident that it’s going to really work for them. It’s why I vouch so strongly for co-production, a process where you actively involve the end user in building the product. That way, the autistic voice is represented in all elements of the design process, from initial idea, through to prototyping and testing.

Future innovations and potential

What about the future of technology? We’re trying to find that optimal mix between technology and the human. What is it that only humans can do? And what is it that technology can do best?

I am a big fan of Starling Bank – they claim to provide a completely human experience to banking. Despite never having spoken to or even interacted with a representative of the bank, I wholeheartedly agree. They have attended to the needs of the user so carefully that they have designed an experience that is delivered optimally by technology alone.

In contrast, there are some experiences where I don’t think technology will ever replace a human – I am not ready to have my pint at the pub poured by a robot. In the same way, I believe autistic people will always value an empathetic coach who listens, understands, and has that special talent to coproduce helpful solutions to users’ problems.

ChatGPT, AI, we’re hearing about it everywhere. It could help us with much more intelligent chatbot functionality. If someone is thinking, “do I want to talk to someone? Or do I want to go online?”, an  intelligent and carefully monitored chatbot can give them the answer they need really quickly.

The other thing that’s cropping up a lot is the use of wearables. Apple’s recent upgrade offers monitoring of our mood and our anxiety. It won’t be long before we’ll be able to get prompted that we might be starting to feel anxious. We can then anticipate difficulties rather than waiting to become anxious and having to deal with it in the moment. These wearables have great possibilities.

The future is exciting. It is also daunting. We think about all the conversations going on around AI, data storage, and data breaches. But if we can harness the positives, there’s huge potential for us and for the autistic community. That’s where the fire in my belly comes from, doing what I do. I feel there is this massive potential in the everyday technology we carry around with us to improve things for everyone and achieve a better quality of life. We’re not there yet, but we can be.

By Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand

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Digital technology in healthcare

Digital technology has the potential to empower individuals to take charge of their health and wellness by providing them with access to health information, resources, and tools. Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, reported over 41,000 mHealth apps available in the App Store as of late 2022 – enabling individuals to use these mobile apps to monitor their physical activity levels, track their food intake, and access educational resources on healthy lifestyle habits. Indeed, in a Software Advice survey of nearly 500 U.S. patients, an astounding 86% agree that utilising this emerging tech on their devices improved their health and quality of life. Wearable devices can also monitor various physiological parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep patterns, providing individuals with real-time feedback on their health status and promoting healthy habits in and outside the hospital.

Telemedicine and Telehealth have also emerged as popular digital technologies that enable individuals to access healthcare services remotely. Unsurprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote health services when getting out to see a practitioner seemed near impossible. The technology continues to be critical in rural areas where individuals have limited mobility or access to healthcare providers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, residents in rural areas are more likely to pass away prematurely than urban residents – making these Telehealth options imperative. Electronic health records also enable healthcare providers to access patient data efficiently, improving the quality of care and reducing medical errors.

However, integrating digital technology into healthcare also poses potential risks and challenges. For example, the widespread use of social media platforms and increased screen time have been associated with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, and decreased attention spans. Indeed, the British Medical Association tracked a record 4.6 million referrals in 2022. Using wearable devices can also raise concerns regarding data privacy and security. As these wearable device makers enable more sophisticated health data measurements, wearable users and makers require greater trust and precautions.

Aside from the issues accompanying a rise in the adoption of digital tech, a wider challenge is the fundamental problem of digital inclusivity. How do we ensure that the elderly, who are less digitally literate, or those without the means to buy smartphones or watches, are not left behind the curve of digital healthcare services?

Ensuring digital inclusion is included in the digital health strategy

Digital inclusion is critical when placing digital as a new determinant of health. Digital inclusion encompasses the equitable access and use of digital technology and resources to promote social, economic, and health outcomes for everyone. As digital technology becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, ensuring digital inclusion is paramount to prevent further health disparities, particularly among marginalised communities. Without digital inclusion, individuals who lack access to digital technology or have limited digital literacy skills may face more barriers than others in accessing critical health information and resources. For instance, individuals lacking internet access may have difficulty accessing telemedicine services, online health resources, and electronic health records. Similarly, individuals lacking digital literacy skills may need help navigating complex digital health platforms or understanding the health information provided online versus being explained to them in person.

Digital inclusion is crucial in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity in a new digital era. It is essential to ensure that individuals have access to digital technology and resources and possess the necessary skills and knowledge to use them to contribute to the success of their health and well-being – but how can digital service and healthcare providers ensure this? Ensuring digital inclusion can be achieved through a variety of initiatives centred around reliable connectivity, digital literacy, and culture-specific health resources. For instance, health providers can focus on expanding broadband access in rural areas or for those with limited connectivity. They can also work to provide digital literacy training through programs and resources and create accessible culturally-sensitive digital health resources.

Digital health is here to stay

Digital technology has emerged as a new determinant of health that can impact individuals’ health outcomes positively or negatively depending on their resources. Digital technology in healthcare can save patients (and providers) money, time, stress, and empowers individuals to take more control in managing their health conditions. However, it’s crucial to promote digital inclusion so we can ensure that digital technology will advance health equity and improve health outcomes for all individuals.

About the author 

Sukhmeet Panesar is the Chief Health Officer at Monstarlab. He trained as a clinician in emergency medicine and public health in London and enjoys playing at the confluence of meaningful, empathic digital transformation and population health and wellbeing. He is widely published in the field of health services research, specifically patient safety and health system redesign. Most recently, he has led digital transformation across a large group of 600+ individuals across the disciplines of data and analytics across NHS England and NHS Improvement. He also has a keen focus on developing the workforce to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and leads a pan-UK endeavour that brings together 16,500 data professionals and analysts called AnalystX.

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Going digital will ultimately give carers more time to care and reduce the burden of onerous yet essential administrative tasks.

Why care providers need to embrace the shift

One of the fundamental benefits of care providers adopting a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) system is to ensure data is being captured at the point of care and can be shared between care settings. The system will also transform how care providers work, help deliver better, safer care for service users in a more person-centred way and help to save time.

Using a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) system will reduce the daily administrative workloads of care staff, saving care providers an hour a day and allowing them to spend more time with their residents, forming meaningful connections.

Compared to paper-based systems, a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) system, such as Person Centred Software’s icon-based Digital Care System, is more reliable, improves efficiency, supports care workers, and is suitable for carers of any digital skill level. In addition, the system is easy to use, fast and requires minimal typing. It’s also ideal for people who don’t speak English natively or have dyslexia.

Technology now, more than ever, is eliminating human error. In the world of social care, this can assist with reducing risks associated with medication errors, dehydration, and missed visits, providing real-time information about the care received.

A Digital Social Care Record can also ensure that care providers are aware of when people’s needs change and allow for a quick response by offering an up-to-date secure view of each resident’s health and care information. Furthermore, it enables easy storage of care notes and requires less physical space, ensuring the data is protected, accurate and able to be shared easily.

Prioritise person-centred care

In its simplest form, a person-centred approach to care means focusing care on the needs of the individual, ensuring that their preferences, needs, and values are taken into account when making clinical decisions, all whilst providing respectful and responsive care. A Digital Social Care Record system allows care providers to create comprehensive person-centred care plans as well as access residents’ preferences and essential information at the point of care when and where it’s needed. Easy access to all this information is indispensable in a care setting. Using a Digital Social Care Record system can help your care home stand out, attracting more people and increasing occupancy rates.

Person Centred Software’s Digital Care System (Digital Social Care Record) is an example of technology that serves to address all of the above, as it’s the first fully mobile, easy-to-use digital care management system for evidencing care.

The Digital Care System’s person-centred care plans feature helps to ensure each resident’s needs are being met with detailed care plans, ensuring carers are fully aware of each resident’s care needs.

For care providers considering a Digital Social Care Record system, it’s a good idea to speak with several providers who have already made the digital transition to determine which system would fit best.

Additionally, care providers must ask themselves why they need a Digital Social Care Record system in the first place. The system is required to meet the government target of going digital by 2024, but are you looking for a system that integrates with an electronic medication management system? Are you looking for a system that helps improve your CQC ratings? Or are you looking for a system that assists with preventing dehydration and monitoring nutrition among residents? Etc.

Whatever the case, there is a wide range of technological solutions, which is only set to broaden and accelerate over the next few years.

What impact will AI and machine learning have on health and social care in the future? 

The future of healthcare lies in predictive models that can effectively harness the power of data collection. In addition, these models will allow early intervention and reduce the need and reliance on people using health services in the future.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has been ground-breaking and has become increasingly common, helping to improve patient experiences, assist the workforce, and improve the system’s efficiency.

For example, AI and data science can revolutionise how we diagnose and treat diseases, providing many benefits in early detection, such as identifying a person’s risk factors.

In the near future, AI data processing may soon lead to digital systems that can help make informed assessments about a patient’s condition and prompt earlier investigation and treatment – For example, predicting pain when a patient is otherwise incapacitated with dementia.

The social care sector is set to experience more changes in 2023, with AI and digital care at the forefront. To effectively harness the power of data, care providers must embrace digital social care records and other care technologies to ensure they focus on making a meaningful difference in the lives of their residents.

About the author

Andrew Coles is the Chief Product Officer at Person Centred Software, a digital care technology pioneer. Founded in 2013 to improve the quality of life for people in social care, Person Centred Software has become an award-winning global company with over 3,500 care providers in the UK alone using its digital care management system (digital social care record). With over 30 years of experience developing technology for the care sector, Person Centred Software knows passion creates the best opportunity for real change.

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