Achieving success after implementing new technology in your hospital

As the use of technology becomes increasingly relevant to medical practice, many physicians are burdened with having to learn how to use new technology when they perceived no issues with the previous paper and pen system. This frustration can lead to physician burnout, but that does not always need to be the end result. Here are three tips for hospitals to achieve success after implementing new technology:

1. Ask physicians what aspects they struggle with. If one part of a program is causing particular difficulty for a large group of physicians, target that issue by conducting a specific training session. If one physician is unable to make progress with the system, offer one-on-one training. Meet physicians where they are at, and work to move forward together.

2. Show physicians the value of the technology. Instead of demonstrating every possible task that a piece of technology can perform, emphasize the ones that will have the biggest effect on physicians’ day-to-day activities. Show physicians what the return will be if they train for a few hours with the new technology. If they know the efficiency that they are working towards, they may be more willing to learn.

3. Observe physicians as they use the technology. At times, it can be overwhelming to try to explain difficulties during a roundtable discussion. Instead of asking physicians to list their gripes with technology, have technologists witness these difficulties firsthand by observing physicians using the technology in their daily routines. The technologists can then identify inefficiencies and work to fix them.

Source: Becker’s Hospital Review