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Technology

Illustration of man on computer.

How AI can earn our trust

I was chatting with a psychologist recently who is dead set against the use of artificial intelligence (AI), at least in his practice. Nervousness about what he described as “the Big Brother” aspect of AI keeps him at arm’s length from the technology. When it comes to AI trust, he simply doesn’t have it. He’s […]

Data Security Illustration

A balancing act: Fixing the security-vs-cost tightrope

Despite a slight decrease in the average cost of data breach recovery (around $9.77 million) in 2024, the healthcare industry remains the costliest sector for cyber-attacks. It’s an infamous ranking that healthcare has held since 2011 and is likely to hold for a while. The finance sector comes in a distant second at $6.1 million […]

Personal Data: How we use it and why

Like many of you, I’ve been watching an unsettling trend. Cases of inappropriate use of personal data by practice management and EHR companies have become all too common. This “everyone-else-is-doing-it-so-why-not-me” vibe smacks of a poorly parented child behaving badly. But upon closer examination, you can see what is really driving much of the bad fad. […]

Sick patient talking by video call with a doctor.

From best patient to no-show: An onboarding story

Two tenuous but related streaks of good fortune have come to an end for me: Until recently, I’d never had COVID-19 and I’d never needed to use virtual care. Feeling increasingly unwell during a return trip from California, I busted out my COVID-19 tester kit first thing home. The stick lit up like a Christmas […]

Pokes like a stick: Addressing the pain of CPT codes

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were established by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1966. Standardizing medical terminology and associated codes was then, and is still, a fine idea. From claims processing to research to technology development, CPT codes have plenty to offer the healthcare sector. Providers know the drill: You translate services or products […]

Patient Record Illustration

The essential first chapter in a new EHR story

With all the messiness of electronic health records (EHRs), you’d think that moving from one system to another would be as common as buying a new smartphone every few years.  Turns out, EHR migration is part of all that messiness. Unlike new smartphones which typically put more power and a better experience in the palm […]

Ladder of success

In battling burnout, one giant step is there for the taking

The numbers are alarming. Studies reported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) show that fifty percent of providers are burned out.[1] The American Psychology Association reported last year that the percentage of psychologists who reported not being able to meet the demand for mental health care rose from thirty percent in 2020 to a […]

Powering relationships through shared therapy notes

Information is power. Nobody knows that better than doctors and therapists. With more of the right patient information, we have the power to make better decisions about care, deliver it without delay, and create better care outcomes.  Information empowers patients, too. With their own medical records and histories in their control, sharing it is an […]

One word about artificial intelligence

The tsunami of artificial intelligence (AI) hype of late has me scratching my head. In 2022, ChatGPT rolled out with such fanfare that you’d think sentient, fast-footed robots would be due out next year. Not that there isn’t exciting technology in development that will make us better at what we do. That’s certainly happening, and […]

Watch on wrist

The best 30 minutes you can spend today.

Thirty minutes. You can do a lot in thirty minutes. Or not. You can take thirty minutes of your day today to call one patient about a prescription refill or review test results or respond to emails about a patient’s next treatment steps. These thirty minutes are likely after hours and almost definitely non-billable. Or […]