A continuing challenge for health care professionals, whether a college pharmacy technician, dentist, physician or nurse, is听communicating with other medical personnel in order听to successfully provide the best treatment for patients. This challenge is exacerbated due to the fact that most medical professionals have to constantly consider the reputation of their practice. Medical professionals need security when communicating with their colleagues to ensure the integrity of their online presence. However, in a technologically immersed world, sharing information and creating strong collaborative connections is not only beneficial to听those looking to expand their personal medical acumen, but also to those responsible for assisting patients. This of course goes well beyond simply having the ability to Google symptoms of illness or tweet short questions at colleagues. Physician collaboration is a way to find the best course of treatment for individuals, and now, thanks to technological advances in the medical field, staff members aren’t required to be in the same physical location to do so.
Modern forums for physician communication
Online collaboration is available to a significant portion of the听medical staff in the United States. Sermo, a company that connects medical professionals via social media, reaches approximately 270,000 professionals, over a third of the physicians in the U.S.1听Though Sermo is exclusively available to registered physicians,2 it is an expansive platform that can set a听precedent for more inclusive networks in the future. The recent passing of the Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act3听will likely make it necessary to include nurse practitioners in such networks as well, though that is subject to speculation. The act goes into effect at the beginning of next year and grants nurses the ability to听make a diagnosis and assist patients听without the presence of a licensed physician.4听In light of this, nurses must have the ability to ask professional questions regarding patients听with the same confidence as doctors. Doximity is another online physician network that allows physicians to stay connected. In some ways Doximity has a broader directory of professionals than Sermo鈥�,听because it includes a vast array of specialized medical professionals ranging from physical therapists to neurologists to social workers.5 Another primary difference between Doximity and Sermo is that the former identifies medical professionals by name in their directory, encouraging them to own their online presence.6听This lack of anonymity potentially causes wariness in physicians when asking questions.7
InCrowd announces Peer2Peer app
InCrowd, a company providing a specialized on-demand platform for the health care industry,听recently announced a new iOS application, dubbed Peer2Peer. The app听will allow all health care professionals to query one another anonymously.8听This blind collaboration process gives professionals across various practices the ability to confidently and securely pose questions without causing potential jeopardy to their reputation. Users will be able to receive answers from their colleagues in real time, optimizing efficiency for both physicians and patients.
Electronic health records
Documentation reform is another important aspect of modernizing the way in which physicians interact. Standardized electronic health records, or EHRs, make information potentially easier to access.9听One of the reasons many health care workers are focusing on EHRs is due to financial incentives provided for institutions that can demonstrate they are utilizing EHRs with purpose.10听Demonstrating meaningful use requires meeting various objectives set by Medicare and Medicaid Services, with the intention being that meeting听these criteria听will听result in听an improvement in patient care.11听Therefore, properly formatting and using EHRs听gives physicians quicker access to information and also encourages them with monetary rewards for their practice. What is clear is that health care professionals across all practices and specialties are finding ways to use technology to try and make communication and collaboration more efficient. Future health care staff can learn to use these programs to directly access a professional network and provide better care for patients. 1 2 3“The Nurse Practitioner Modernization Law”听 4“The Nurse Practitioner Modernization Law” 5 6 7鈥�“InCrowd Announces Free Physician-to-Physician Question App” Press Release. Media Contact Steven Handy. June 4, 2014.听 8“InCrowd Announces Free Physician-to-Physician Question App” Press Release. Media Contact Steven Handy. June 4, 2014. 9Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.听http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Meaningful_Use.html 10Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 11Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
