Difference between EHR Optimization and Digital Health

Estimates suggests that the history of medicine dates back thousands of years. Evidence suggests that individuals have been engaged in the practice of medicine in some form or another since at least the Stone Age. Indeed, there is proof that they constructed simple surgical devices to do procedures. While there have been significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of disease in recent decades, the fundamental economic paradigm around which the medical sector is built has remained largely unchanged. It would have been quite difficult to predict the kind of progress that has been made in medicine and surgery in recent years. But this has actually been the situation. Several diverse technologies are currently being used extremely well to make this a reality.

The widespread use of smartphones and other mobile devices is a primary factor in the healthcare industry's current state of flux. Through this, we may develop deeper bonds with the support system that helps us stay healthy and content. There are numerous ongoing initiatives and resources in the healthcare industry, such as electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), telehealth, digital health, and health information databases maintained by healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and regulatory agencies. There is substantial growth in clinical treatment, healthcare services, patient education and self-management, and other areas thanks to each of these innovations.

What is EHR Optimization?

One of the most crucial choices a medical clinic can make is investing in a reliable Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. In the healthcare industry, EHRs (Electronic Health Records) are rapidly becoming a need. Grasping the value of an EHR to your clinic is the first step toward mastering EHR optimization. EHRs, or electronic health records, are digital copies of a patient's medical information that are maintained by the provider on an ongoing basis.

Electronic health records have a long history that may be traced back to the 1960s. An enormous chunk of present-day EHR software was motivated by Dr. Lawrence Weed's ground-breaking work. People in the healthcare industry and those who provide it have been utilizing computers to electronically store and manage patient information since the widespread availability of personal computers. Making the most of EHRs requires implementing a quality improvement plan (EHRs). Optimization of electronic health record systems means combining the benefits of quality improvement initiatives with those of the technology to improve treatment for patients right away.

What is Digital Health?

When used to the provision of healthcare for large populations, "digital health" refers to the use, application, and exploitation of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Technology is used to improve people's health and well-being. As digital health becomes more commonplace in normal clinical practice worldwide, simple software algorithms used in feature phones are being replaced by more interactive software applications used by smartphones. These digital health solutions are affordable, making them competitive in developing economies. The term has been used to signify a wide variety of events in many different contexts and countries.

No matter how it is defined, "digital health" always refers to a kind of healthcare that is more data-driven and where healthcare decisions are made with the aid of AI and ML. The fast advancement of digital communication technology has prompted the usage of mobile phones for the delivery of healthcare services and information, a phenomenon known as "mobile health." The multidisciplinary field of study known as digital health aspires to improve the precision and specificity of medical treatment by using data from several sources.

Differences − EHR Optimization and Digital Health

The following table highlights how EHR Optimization is different from Digital Health −

Conclusion

In a nutshell, optimizing an EHR means combining quality improvement efforts with the technology's inherent ability to provide better care to patients right away. Because of this, clinical efficiency is restored, and the burden on healthcare workers is decreased. Recognizing the importance of continuously expanding the practice's electronic health record is the first step toward process optimization (EHR).

Digital health, on the other hand, is a much broader concept that describes the use and deployment of ICTs to expand access to healthcare for huge populations. This is in contrast to the individualized approach of conventional treatment. Because of technical developments that have made it easier to access and challenge the ever-increasing volumes of health-related information that are available on the internet, the process of giving medical care has been considerably transformed.