Connected Care Technology

How Connected Care Technology Can Transform the Provider Experience

Northwell Health is leveraging advanced connected care technologies, including AI, to alleviate administrative burdens and foster meaningful interactions between providers and patients. While healthcare technology has revolutionized traditional care delivery models, it has also inadvertently created barriers, increasing the administrative workload and distancing providers from their patients.

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Dr. Michael Oppenheim, Senior Vice President of Clinical Digital Solutions at Northwell Health, highlighted this challenge during the Connected Health 2024 virtual summit, using a poignant illustration published a decade ago in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The image portrays a physician focused on a computer with their back to a patient and family, emphasizing how technology can inadvertently shift attention away from patient care.

Reimagining Technology to Enhance Provider-Patient Connections

To prevent technology from undermining the patient-provider relationship, healthcare organizations must reduce the administrative burden and enhance connectivity between patients and care teams. Northwell Health exemplifies this approach by implementing innovative solutions aimed at improving access, efficiency, and communication.

1. Expanding Access Without Overloading Providers

Connected healthcare technologies can dramatically improve patient access but may strain clinicians managing large patient panels. Dr. Oppenheim illustrated how physicians often need to review extensive patient histories for every interaction, consuming valuable time.

Northwell Health addresses this challenge by employing mapping tools, propensity analyses, and matching algorithms to align patients with the most appropriate providers. By connecting patients to specialists who best meet their needs, providers can maximize their time and expertise while ensuring better patient outcomes.

2. Leveraging Generative AI for Chart Summarization

Generative AI is proving transformative in managing the immense data volumes clinicians face. AI-driven tools help summarize patient records, extracting clinically relevant details tailored to the provider’s specialty.

For instance, in a pilot at Northwell Health, AI successfully summarized complex hospitalizations, capturing the critical elements of care transitions. This “just right” approach ensures providers receive actionable insights without unnecessary data overload.

Additionally, ambient listening tools are being used to document clinical consultations seamlessly. By automatically summarizing interactions into structured notes, physicians can focus entirely on their patients during visits, improving care quality while reducing after-hours charting.

3. Streamlining Team-Based Care

Effective care delivery often involves a multidisciplinary team, including primary physicians, specialists, nurses, and social workers. Coordinating communication across these groups has historically been challenging.

Northwell Health is addressing this issue by adopting EMR systems with integrated team chat functionalities, enabling real-time collaboration among care teams. These tools facilitate better care planning and communication, ensuring patients receive coordinated and consistent treatment.

Dr. Oppenheim emphasized the importance of not only uniting clinicians in decision-making but also involving patients in discussions. By presenting clear, viable options, providers can enhance patient engagement and shared decision-making.

The Path Forward: Balancing Technology with Provider Needs

As healthcare continues its digital transformation, connected care technologies must prioritize clinician satisfaction alongside patient outcomes. Tools that simplify workflows, enhance communication, and reduce administrative burdens are crucial for fostering provider buy-in and ensuring the success of health IT initiatives.

Northwell Health’s efforts demonstrate how thoughtfully implemented technologies can empower clinicians, strengthen patient relationships, and create a truly connected healthcare experience. Tectonic is here to help your facility plan.

Content updated November 2024.