To quote a great inventor, Bill Gates:  “Never before in history has innovation offered the promise of so much to so many in so short a time.”  Technology has changed the way we communicate, socialize, work and interact as human beings in our families, in our communities and globally.  Technological innovations have made the seemingly impossible possible, and healthcare is no exception.  In a May 25, 2013 piece in the New York Times, Thomas Friedman notes that the exponential growth in Electronic Health Records (EHR) startups is reflective of just how quickly the face of healthcare is changing .  Instead of the old fees-for-services model of American medicine, readily accessible patient data will enable healthcare professionals to render care that is preventative and wellness focused.  The end result, argues Friedman will be a decrease in cost and an increase in quality of that care.

But EHRs are just one of the ways technological innovations are impacting and will impact  the sector.  Here are a few others to watch for:

• The Eyes Have It:  The Tobii CEye Eye Control Module is an AAC replacing the mouse and keyboard for individuals with Cerebral Palsy, ALS, stroke/aphasia, spinal cord injuries, etc.  The ability for such patients to communicate directly with their caregivers and physicians and enhance their quality of life can not be over- emphasized.
• Don’t Bug Me: At the University of Illinois, researchers developed a cradle and app that turns an iPhone into a biosensor to detect pathogens, toxins and disease biomarkers.  This device will provide field clinicians with a reliable and inexpensive tool to conduct medical diagnostic testing without having to send specimens to more time-consuming and expensive labs.
• Elementary, my dear Watson:  IBM’s supercomputer is primed to become a virtual member of any clinical team, given its new capabilities to synthesize patient data with current medical knowledge, and then recommend possible treatment options. Preliminary testing is set to begin at two oncology groups in New York and Maine.

Technology is definitely stretching the boundaries of medicine and improving outcomes in the process.  Want to be a part of a forward-thinking team of healthcare professionals?  Centra uses its own state of the art technology to help CHTs, COTAs, OTs, PTAs, PTs, NPs, RNs, Nurse Managers, Rehab Managers and SLPs find challenging and rewarding employment opportunities anywhere in the United States.  Call us at 800 575 0076 and see what our team can do for you!