A leading entrepreneur set to speak at BusinessCloud’s ‘Tech in healthcare’ conference has called on hospitals to bring in apps to improve access to basic information.
In 2014, the health sector published a five-year vision to improve patient care through technology.
However the study ‘How can mobile application technology change the way patients engage with healthcare organisations?’ by Apadmi Enterprise found that nearly 60 per cent of patients are not satisfied with current processes in the delivery of care.
Matt Hunt, CEO of Apadmi, is one of a number of high-profile speakers at the conference in Chorley, Lancashire, on Wednesday November 23rd.
He said: “Mobile technology has huge potential to transform the way healthcare is provided and accessed in the UK.
“New technology and services will allow healthcare professionals to better serve their patients, as well as enable people to be more proactive in managing their own health and well-being.”
A lack of accessible information rated among the highest complaints in the report.
More than half (55 per cent) of patients claimed they have never used mobile technology to engage with the NHS ahead of, or during, a hospital visit.
The majority of patients (76 per cent) said they would like to use a form of technology to manage hospital appointments, such as booking, cancelling or confirming an appointment.
And over half (55 per cent) would want technology to store their prescriptions.
We reported last week how digital healthcare company Intelesant will partner with the NHS in a trial intended to help dementia sufferers remain at home for longer.
Hunt added: “When it comes to hospitals, there is a clear need to improve patient engagement and communication, and our research highlights that focus needs to be around providing regular updates so patients feel informed during the entire visit, as well as offering greater access to patient information so they feel empowered to manage their own health too.
“But while it’s clear that mobile technology adoption in hospitals is still in its infancy, our research demonstrates that there is a strong demand from patients for this kind of tech to be implemented.
“Organisations will undoubtedly need help managing utilisation, streamlining processes and handling the vast amounts of data that will be stored or generated.
“But it seems there is no better time for healthcare organisations to seize the opportunities of mobile app technology to take advantage of greater efficiencies and better patient outcomes.”
Two thirds (66 per cent) want the NHS to develop a digital offering that can assist with information around parking while 45 per cent would like a digital way to access their healthcare records so they can make better decisions about their health.
And 43 per cent said they would want to use the technology to help them manage their own illness – such as tracking their medications or keeping a food diary.