Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Digital Health Tools

Digital tools are everywhere! We share lessons from testing them in healthcare settings (link to free article in the comments):  🕰️ 1. Be patient with your fancy idea. Start simple: We wanted to use a cloud-based patient tracking system but healthcare workers loved paper ledgers. We said, ok, let's start with paper. They soon realized the limits of using paper records and asked to move to the cloud. We would have wasted a lot of energy, time, and money if we had forced digital tools from the start. 💼 2. Doctors are not data entry drones: Just because your software/app CAN collect a lot of new data, doesn't mean you should. Be clear about what your digital tool is trying to solve. And just solve that. Don't add bloat. Don't turn healthcare workers into data entry drones. 🤓3. Learn the old before adding the new: What are people already doing? What is working? What makes your users uncomfortable? Use this to build things vs. what you think will be most effective. We could have rolled out a new app that guided doctors through clinical protocols. But we saw that doctors don't like to "look things up." They worry that the patients will think they are not smart. So we added brief versions of the guidelines into their desktops. Doctors could glance at the protocols while using the EHR on their computers. No shame for the doctors, and patients got good quality care. 🌟 4. People > products A fancy digital tool is nice but it's just a tool. The people who use the tool are the ones who will actually improve care. Use the digital tools to a) improve relationships among team members, b) simplify tasks, c) and help doctors become better at their job. Thanks to funders The National Institutes of Health and partners at Possible, and University of California, San Francisco.

🔷 Healthcare Digital Innovation: Challenges and Solutions 🔷 🔹 Challenges for low digital health adoption among healthcare professionals: - Lack of awareness: Many healthcare professionals may not fully understand the benefits of digital health tools, such as improved efficiency and enhanced care coordination. - Privacy and security concerns: Healthcare professionals are cautious about protecting patient privacy and ensuring data security when using digital health solutions. - Resistance to change: Some professionals fear that technology will replace the human touch in patient care. - Limited training and support: Many professionals lack the necessary training and ongoing support to adopt and integrate digital health tools effectively. 🔹 Simple and effective solutions to improve digital health adoption: 1️⃣ Education and Awareness: - Conduct workshops and training programs to educate professionals about the potential of digital health solutions. - Share success stories and case studies to demonstrate the positive impact on patient outcomes and efficiency. 2️⃣ Address Privacy and Security Concerns: - Implement robust data protection measures and ensure compliance with regulations. - Educate professionals about privacy protocols and secure data handling practices. 3️⃣ Emphasize Human Interaction: - Highlight how digital tools enhance provider-patient interactions, such as remote consultations and improved communication. - Encourage providers to use digital tools to augment their patient interactions and build stronger relationships. 4️⃣ Comprehensive Training and Support: - Develop training programs covering the use and integration of digital health tools. - Provide ongoing technical support and troubleshooting resources. 5️⃣ Collaboration and Community Engagement: - Foster partnerships with digital health companies to develop user-friendly solutions. - Encourage professionals to participate in digital health communities for knowledge sharing and networking. Let's navigate healthcare digital innovation together, empowering both patients and providers. By embracing these solutions, we can revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. 🚀💻💙 #digitalhealth #healthcareinnovation #transforminghealthcare #adoption #collaboration #healthcareprofessionals https://lnkd.in/dBYMJyAW

Ever wonder why groundbreaking healthcare tech struggles to take off? It's not about the tech—it's about human nature. As someone who's woven in and out of healthcare settings—from the VA to my own clinic—I've seen firsthand the resistance to change. Here's a snapshot: ⚕️ Clinicians stick to what they know. A PT at my clinic wouldn't replace a dying computer because they liked the setup. Familiarity trumps efficiency. The challenge isn't just personal preference. It's about integration and workflow. How does new tech fit into existing systems? Does it play nice with software and devices clinicians depend on? But there's a bigger picture. It's not just about selling a product. It's about framing the problem and painting a vision of what could be. Can you show clinicians a world where they see more patients and improve care without upending their routine? Here are some insights to consider when introducing healthcare innovation: ⚬ Resistance is often about comfort, not logic. ⚬ Integration with existing systems is key, but so is ease-of-use. ⚬ The big sell? Demonstrating undeniable improvements to their everyday workflow. It's a delicate balance—honoring the current while leading towards the future. For healthcare tech companies, it's essential to not just innovate but also to empathize and educate. #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #ChangeManagement #HealthcareTechnology