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Published On: Fri, Jul 25th, 2014

Technology In The Healthcare Field Still Struggling

There are few markets in the global economy that rely more on technological advances than the medical industry. That is why it is always a bit of a surprise to find out that the healthcare market is still struggling to find a happy medium when talking about melding treatment and costs with those technological advances, especially on the business side of the field. There seems to be a number of different reasons why this might be the case, but it is a bit mind boggling that even the top hospitals are struggling to protect themselves in a financial way. Even worse is the fact that the top hospitals and the top tech companies that deal in the healthcare industry are struggling to strike a balance in a way that will be beneficial to both.

Researchers have developed a 3D printer that prints human embryonic stem cells while other advnaces are still lagging behind (Dr Will Shu / Biofabrication)

Researchers have developed a 3D printer that prints human embryonic stem cells while other advnaces are still lagging behind (Dr Will Shu / Biofabrication)

Healthcare’s Reliance on Tech

As the world is getting smaller, the health care field is having to cover more people in a more diverse area than ever before. This is why the need for competency is critical and the need for excellence is something everyone in the health care sector should shoot for when it comes to the latest tech. Despite big time advances, there are still problems when it comes to diseases such as aids and cancer that need top of the line treatment and sometimes require treatment from afar.

Telemedicine has come in handy for many a doctor in this day and age, who may not be able to get out to more remote areas of their region.  Of course, in order to do this, the medical practice has to be set up in a way that can deal with this kind of a problem. Clinics across the country are starting to adopt telemedicine as a daily practice but those same clinics are hit and miss when it comes to the success rate.

Healthcare Industry Still Struggling Online

The lack of technological prowess in the medical field doesn’t just apply to gadgets and relatively new technology like telemedicine. Despite the fact that the Internet has been around in its current state for more than a decade, hospitals, healthcare providers and business that operate in the field are still having some serious problems attaining a certain aspect of excellence when it comes to the web.

A recent report from Beckers Hospital Review found hospital websites are especially lacking, with many not even offering a mobile version of its homepage. Not having a mobile version is only part of the problem. The same findings also indicated that just 1 in 5 hospitals have any sort of way for patients to pre-register online. This pre-registration would greatly reduce waiting time once they get to their doctor. Perhaps most important for businesses that work with these hospitals is the fact that just shy of a third don’t allow for online bill-pay. Online bill-pay is getting more popular because it makes it easier for the patient to pay and reduces the amount of work needed by the hospital and peripheral companies to collect money owed.

Profits Down But Rebounding

Effectiveness in serving patients is just one problem that has been born from the healthcare industry having so many adoption problems with new technology. Companies that produce medical technology and devices are having problems turning a profit, even during a period of human history when new gadgets and technology is celebrated. If there is a silver lining it appears the lack of adoption and struggles in the business world is starting to dissipate.

Phillips is one company that is considered among the top healthcare business companies in the world. Earlier in June, the company announced it had cut its estimates on health-care equipment sales. Sales and net income both fell by a significant margin in the second quarter of 2014 but the firm believes it is about to see a turnaround. Phillips believes demand will increase by the end of the year.

Other companies are following suit when it comes to struggles that have this kind of silver lining that could turn into positive reports by the time 2015 kicks off.

By: Jimmy Simond

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