Technology in Clinic

Colleen Sholar, DO_edited (2)By Colleen Sholar, DO

Technology is advancing and the opportunities for improved access to information are phenomenal.  From a patient perspective, anyone can plug in their symptoms into a browser or AI to get a list of possible diagnoses– some of which may scare you into seeking formal diagnoses!  Searching isn’t bad but remember the sources sited matter.  If the computer is using random blog posts to give you a diagnosis… that is less than reliable.

I also see people use AI to help manage their list of medical conditions and sort their symptoms to bring in for review. This can be very helpful in planning your appointment to be sure we talk about everything that you are experiencing during the clinic visit.

Many health care providers leverage technology in similar ways.  Each of us has spent many years learning, but there is so much information available one cannot hold every detail of information easily accessible, so the key is knowing how to access information and apply it.  Many of us leverage AI search engines tied to evidence-based primary and secondary resources.  These tools allow for easy access to review up to date protocols, evidence and treatment options as the practice of medicine is constantly evolving and changing faster every day.

One of the more recent uses of technology is for documentation.  As they say, “if it isn’t documented it didn’t happen!”  Many of our clinic providers have started using privacy compliant AI documentation software to listen to visits and help create the notes for each encounter. More than 60% of providers across the country are similarly applying technology as a scribe.  Leveraging technology to take notes allows for a focus on the conversation without missing key details that need to be documented from the conversation.  Notes and details from clinic visits are often reviewed by your insurance to support whether an ordered test, referral or medication will be authorized, so being sure they are included can be important.  Most business and legal meetings have a scribe, so this model is not unique and it’s a benefit to all parties and makes this a practical option.

Technology can be a boon, and its evolution and application are unlikely to slow, so learning how to use trustworthy sources that also protect your privacy is an important step for everyone.

*This article was not created using AI.