Digitisation, Digitalisation, and Digital Transformation Explained For Allied Health Businesses

  • By Renato Parletta
  • February 5, 2021

Covid-19 has presented a significant learning curve for many businesses. The need for social distancing has led to an overhaul of processes and rapid digitalisation in many cases. For allied professionals, it has meant greater use of services including telehealth, cloud-computing, voice search optimisation, AI-based diagnoses, and more. 

Digital transformation is imperative for the industry. It is not as overwhelming as it might sound either. You will have to learn a thing or two about running aspects of your practice online, but the benefits and convenience you gain are worth it. 

First, let’s look at the terminology we use when we talk about ‘going digital’.

Digitisation

This refers to converting analogue information to a digital format. For example, you could scan in paper patient files to store them digitally on a central system. Doing this can make it easier to work collaboratively as a team, and improve how you keep track of records.

Digitalisation

Digitalisation builds upon digitisation. It involves automating your business processes, which is crucial for saving valuable time and money in the long-term. 

An example here would be to take appointments online instead of having clients phone in. 

You could also automate a confirmation email to send in response to a booking, and another later on as an appointment reminder.

Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation

At this stage of going digital, your practice is earning more through new revenue streams generated by your technology use. You have been able to successfully repurpose your resources so that you can serve your clients better. 

Offering telehealth services or using AI-based diagnostic equipment, which can produce and analyse results quickly would be examples of digital transformation in the act.

How Digitisation Affects Different Aspects Of Your Business

There is a lot of room in the allied health industry to go digital. It provides the opportunity to drastically improve various aspects of your operations.

Improved Patient Record Coordination and Care

Digital transformation makes it much easier to facilitate co-ordination between health professionals and their patients. You no longer have to keep a physical file on hand, and you can simply access your patients’ records online. This is especially useful in situations where you need to access the patients’ historical records quickly. 

It is also easier for your patients to keep track of their records. They can download their history and share it with any other practitioners they consult with. 

Streamline and Automate Administrative Tasks

An exorbitant amount of time and money is spent on administrative tasks. For example, transferring written notes to a patient file, retrieving misfiled records from archives, submitting manual billing reports, and so on. Specialised cloud-based practice management software makes this process far more efficient. 

Digitisation In Allied Health

With information on the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere by authorised members of the team. Billing can be performed digitally and automatically submitted to Medicare and Workcover QLD, for example. 

Overall, this gives practitioners more time to focus on treating patients and streamlines the case management process.

Better Data Security

Even though storing data online could leave you open to being hacked, bear in mind that keeping physical files means that information is vulnerable to fires, floods, or human negligence. 

Luckily, when it comes to digitalisation, extra security measures can be put into place to reinforce online storage systems and prevent hackers from accessing them. Layers of convenience are added as files can be accessed by people when they need it.

Access To Real-time Patient Information

Patients can use smartphones and smartwatches to keep track of various vital signs like heart rate, steps taken per day, or even perform ECGs. Data from these can be stored or uploaded to update medical records in real-time for allied health professionals to assess. Patients can also be notified immediately of any abnormalities as they occur.

Final Thoughts

Even if it seems there is a long way to go, the benefits of digitalisation and working towards digital transformation are clear. 

If you would like to know more about our software called iinsight, which revolutionises every aspect of case management, get in touch. 

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Quiz Test

Response: YES - Assess your organisation's specific needs. Before considering factors like cost and vendor reputation, it is essential to evaluate your organisation's unique requirements and challenges. Understanding your needs will guide you in making an informed decision and ensure that your software platform choice aligns effectively with your organisation's needs, which in turn can save time and money.

Response: The correct answer is a) Assess your organisation's specific needs. Before considering factors like cost and vendor reputation, it is essential to evaluate your organisation's unique requirements and challenges. Understanding your needs will guide you in making an informed decision and ensure that your software platform choice aligns effectively with your organisation's needs, which in turn can save time and money.

Response: The correct answer is a) Assess your organisation's specific needs. Before considering factors like cost and vendor reputation, it is essential to evaluate your organisation's unique requirements and challenges. Understanding your needs will guide you in making an informed decision and ensure that your software platform choice aligns effectively with your organisation's needs, which in turn can save time and money.

Response: YES - It protects your clients' sensitive information and your business. Security and compliance measures are crucial for Allied health organisations as they ensure the protection of sensitive client information and maintain the integrity of your business. By selecting a software platform that holds certifications such as ISO, GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA, you can safeguard data privacy and maintain regulatory compliance.

Response: The correct answer is b) It protects your clients' sensitive information and your business. Security and compliance measures are crucial for Allied health organisations as they ensure the protection of sensitive client information and maintain the integrity of your business. By selecting a software platform that holds certifications such as ISO, GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA, you can safeguard data privacy and maintain regulatory compliance.

Response: The correct answer is b) It protects your clients' sensitive information and your business. Security and compliance measures are crucial for Allied health organisations as they ensure the protection of sensitive client information and maintain the integrity of your business. By selecting a software platform that holds certifications such as ISO, GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA, you can safeguard data privacy and maintain regulatory compliance.

Response: YES - All of the above. A software platform is essential for regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations. It automates documentation, reduces errors, and offers secure storage for patient data. With access controls and privacy measures, it ensures data protection. Additionally, the platform generates comprehensive reports for audits, simplifying compliance. By providing these capabilities, the software platform helps Allied health organisations maintain regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform is essential for regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations. It automates documentation, reduces errors, and offers secure storage for patient data. With access controls and privacy measures, it ensures data protection. Additionally, the platform generates comprehensive reports for audits, simplifying compliance. By providing these capabilities, the software platform helps Allied health organisations maintain regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform is essential for regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations. It automates documentation, reduces errors, and offers secure storage for patient data. With access controls and privacy measures, it ensures data protection. Additionally, the platform generates comprehensive reports for audits, simplifying compliance. By providing these capabilities, the software platform helps Allied health organisations maintain regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform is essential for regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations. It automates documentation, reduces errors, and offers secure storage for patient data. With access controls and privacy measures, it ensures data protection. Additionally, the platform generates comprehensive reports for audits, simplifying compliance. By providing these capabilities, the software platform helps Allied health organisations maintain regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties.

Response: YES - The software's ability to handle increasing workload or user demand. Scalability refers to the software's capability to handle growth without compromising performance. It is important to assess whether the software can efficiently handle an increasing workload or user demand, ensuring smooth operations as your organisation grows. Consider features like automation, robust reporting, and performance optimisation techniques to support scalability.

Response: The correct answer is d) The software's ability to handle increasing workload or user demand. Scalability refers to the software's capability to handle growth without compromising performance. It is important to assess whether the software can efficiently handle an increasing workload or user demand, ensuring smooth operations as your organisation grows. Consider features like automation, robust reporting, and performance optimisation techniques to support scalability.

Response: The correct answer is d) The software's ability to handle increasing workload or user demand. Scalability refers to the software's capability to handle growth without compromising performance. It is important to assess whether the software can efficiently handle an increasing workload or user demand, ensuring smooth operations as your organisation grows. Consider features like automation, robust reporting, and performance optimisation techniques to support scalability.

Response: The correct answer is d) The software's ability to handle increasing workload or user demand. Scalability refers to the software's capability to handle growth without compromising performance. It is important to assess whether the software can efficiently handle an increasing workload or user demand, ensuring smooth operations as your organisation grows. Consider features like automation, robust reporting, and performance optimisation techniques to support scalability.

Response: True. Integration capabilities are indeed important when selecting a software platform. In today's world, software platforms need to seamlessly integrate with other systems and tools used by an organisation. This allows for efficient data sharing, process automation, and improved workflow across different applications. By choosing a software platform with strong integration capabilities, you can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and ensure that your software solution can effectively communicate and work in tandem with other critical tools in your tech stack.

Response: True. Integration capabilities are indeed important when selecting a software platform. In today's world, software platforms need to seamlessly integrate with other systems and tools used by an organisation. This allows for efficient data sharing, process automation, and improved workflow across different applications. By choosing a software platform with strong integration capabilities, you can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and ensure that your software solution can effectively communicate and work in tandem with other critical tools in your tech stack.

Response: YES - Data entry and documentation. A great software platform saves time by automating these tasks. It streamlines data entry, automates documentation management, and eliminates manual processes prone to errors. By leveraging a software platform with features like automatic form population and documentation automation, organisations can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, enhance accuracy, and improve efficiency.

Response: The correct answer is c) Data entry and documentation. A great software platform saves time by automating these tasks. It streamlines data entry, automates documentation management, and eliminates manual processes prone to errors. By leveraging a software platform with features like automatic form population and documentation automation, organisations can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, enhance accuracy, and improve efficiency.

Response: The correct answer is c) Data entry and documentation. A great software platform saves time by automating these tasks. It streamlines data entry, automates documentation management, and eliminates manual processes prone to errors. By leveraging a software platform with features like automatic form population and documentation automation, organisations can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, enhance accuracy, and improve efficiency.

Response: YES - The role of integration in improving efficiency with a software platform is b) It reduces data duplication and improves workflow. Integration enables seamless communication between systems, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring consistency. Streamlined data flow enhances workflow efficiency, reduces errors, and enables real-time access to up-to-date information. Integration optimizes processes, increases productivity, and improves internal operational efficiency and data management.

Response: The role of integration in improving efficiency with a software platform is b) It reduces data duplication and improves workflow. Integration enables seamless communication between systems, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring consistency. Streamlined data flow enhances workflow efficiency, reduces errors, and enables real-time access to up-to-date information. Integration optimizes processes, increases productivity, and improves internal operational efficiency and data management.

Response: The role of integration in improving efficiency with a software platform is b) It reduces data duplication and improves workflow. Integration enables seamless communication between systems, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring consistency. Streamlined data flow enhances workflow efficiency, reduces errors, and enables real-time access to up-to-date information. Integration optimizes processes, increases productivity, and improves internal operational efficiency and data management.

Response: YES - Workflow management and coordination. A software platform addresses common weaknesses in managing workflows and coordinating tasks. With features like task assignment, automated notifications, and real-time collaboration tools, it streamlines workflow, improves coordination, and reduces errors. While patient communication, reporting, analytics, invoicing, and data entry are important, the most common weaknesses revolve around workflow management.

Response: The correct answer is c) Workflow management and coordination. A software platform addresses common weaknesses in managing workflows and coordinating tasks. With features like task assignment, automated notifications, and real-time collaboration tools, it streamlines workflow, improves coordination, and reduces errors. While patient communication, reporting, analytics, invoicing, and data entry are important, the most common weaknesses revolve around workflow management.

Response: The correct answer is c) Workflow management and coordination. A software platform addresses common weaknesses in managing workflows and coordinating tasks. With features like task assignment, automated notifications, and real-time collaboration tools, it streamlines workflow, improves coordination, and reduces errors. While patient communication, reporting, analytics, invoicing, and data entry are important, the most common weaknesses revolve around workflow management.

Response: The correct answer is c) Workflow management and coordination. A software platform addresses common weaknesses in managing workflows and coordinating tasks. With features like task assignment, automated notifications, and real-time collaboration tools, it streamlines workflow, improves coordination, and reduces errors. While patient communication, reporting, analytics, invoicing, and data entry are important, the most common weaknesses revolve around workflow management.

Response: YES - All options (a, b, and c) are important for improved patient care and outcomes. A robust software platform streamlines administrative tasks, automates processes, and eliminates manual data entry, enabling healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to direct patient care. It promotes coordination and communication among providers, facilitating collaboration and information sharing. The platform also enhances access to patient information, empowering healthcare professionals with up-to-date data for informed decision-making and personalized care.

Response: All options (a, b, and c) are important for improved patient care and outcomes. A robust software platform streamlines administrative tasks, automates processes, and eliminates manual data entry, enabling healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to direct patient care. It promotes coordination and communication among providers, facilitating collaboration and information sharing. The platform also enhances access to patient information, empowering healthcare professionals with up-to-date data for informed decision-making and personalized care.

Response: All options (a, b, and c) are important for improved patient care and outcomes. A robust software platform streamlines administrative tasks, automates processes, and eliminates manual data entry, enabling healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to direct patient care. It promotes coordination and communication among providers, facilitating collaboration and information sharing. The platform also enhances access to patient information, empowering healthcare professionals with up-to-date data for informed decision-making and personalized care.

Response: All options (a, b, and c) are important for improved patient care and outcomes. A robust software platform streamlines administrative tasks, automates processes, and eliminates manual data entry, enabling healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to direct patient care. It promotes coordination and communication among providers, facilitating collaboration and information sharing. The platform also enhances access to patient information, empowering healthcare professionals with up-to-date data for informed decision-making and personalized care.

Response: YES - All of the above. A software platform ensures regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations by automating documentation, record-keeping, and generating comprehensive reports. It reduces errors and manual paperwork, provides secure storage for sensitive data, and facilitates adherence to privacy regulations. With these capabilities, the platform helps organisations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties or legal issues.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform ensures regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations by automating documentation, record-keeping, and generating comprehensive reports. It reduces errors and manual paperwork, provides secure storage for sensitive data, and facilitates adherence to privacy regulations. With these capabilities, the platform helps organisations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties or legal issues.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform ensures regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations by automating documentation, record-keeping, and generating comprehensive reports. It reduces errors and manual paperwork, provides secure storage for sensitive data, and facilitates adherence to privacy regulations. With these capabilities, the platform helps organisations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties or legal issues.

Response: The correct answer is d) All of the above. A software platform ensures regulatory compliance in Allied health organisations by automating documentation, record-keeping, and generating comprehensive reports. It reduces errors and manual paperwork, provides secure storage for sensitive data, and facilitates adherence to privacy regulations. With these capabilities, the platform helps organisations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid penalties or legal issues.

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