Driving Interoperability in Asia-Pacific Healthcare: Key Insights from HIMSS24
The Need for Interoperability
In the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, establishing seamless interoperability is crucial. As healthcare systems strive to advance health information exchange and push for medical record digitalization, showcasing the benefits to both patients and clinicians is essential. Insights from a recent panel at HIMSS24 APAC shed light on the current landscape and the path toward a more connected healthcare experience.
Expert Panel Highlights EMR Implementation
Prominent figures in the field, including Dr. Mahesh Appannan, the head of digital health at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Seyoung Jung, Assistant Professor and Chief Information Officer at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and Gareth Sherlock, Chief Executive of Turimetta Consulting, shared their experiences during the panel titled "The EMR Experience in Asia-Pacific".
This session focused on the best practices and challenges faced while implementing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems across the region.
Clinicians’ Time on EMR Systems: An Overview
One of the key takeaways from the panel was the significant amount of time clinicians spend using EMR systems. According to Thiru Gunasegaran, HIMSS’s APAC managing editor and panel moderator, clinicians typically spend five to six hours a day on administrative tasks related to EMRs.
This underscores the pressing need for efficiency improvements within these systems to enhance patient care.
Minimizing EMR Engagement Time
When queried about the ideal duration for clinicians to spend on EMR, Sherlock’s succinct response was to spend “as little as possible.” He emphasized that factors such as specialty, payer expectations, and regulatory compliance heavily influence this time investment.
The Role of Case Complexity
Dr. Appannan added another layer to the discussion by pointing out that the complexity of cases significantly affects time spent on EMR tasks. He noted that complex cases demand more time and that engaging with pharmacists regarding prescriptions should also be factored into time assessments.
Automation: A Path to Efficiency
A potential solution to streamline EMR engagement lies in systems automation. Dr. Appannan highlighted advancements in Malaysia, where automated processes and voice-to-text technologies enable doctors to significantly reduce patient consultation times to as little as 10 minutes. This innovation showcases the transformative potential of technology in improving efficiency in healthcare delivery.
Ongoing Challenges Amid Institutional Strikes
In light of ongoing doctors’ strikes in South Korea, Dr. Jung revealed that faculty members feel pressured and may struggle to enter complete information into patient records. This reflects the broader challenges within the healthcare system, emphasizing the critical need for support systems.
Key to Health Data Exchange: Patient Inclusion
An intriguing point made during the discussion was the vital role of patients in health data interoperability. Dr. Appannan reinforced that "patients are the mediators of health information exchange." Engaging patients and empowering them with access to their health data could drive a more effective health information exchange.
Demonstrating the Benefits of Data Exchange
To encourage patient consent for health data exchanges, showcasing successful implementations is crucial. For instance, at SNUBH, an AI-powered continuous blood glucose monitoring system, named Pasta, has been integrated into the EMR system. This innovative technology empowers patients to manage their health proactively through data-driven insights.
Clinical Decision Support Systems: A Daunting Task
Another vital area discussed was the implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS). The survey findings revealed that CDSS posed significant challenges for hospitals.
Sherlock remarked on the cultural shift required among physicians to embrace CDSS, emphasizing the importance of their involvement throughout the transition process for optimal results.
Navigating Resistance to Change
While adopting new technologies is essential, resistance from within the medical community often emerges as a hurdle. Dr. Appannan echoed this sentiment, asserting that "the toughest people to change are physicians themselves.”
The Role of CDSS in Emerging Public Health Threats
Using the recent global Mpox outbreak as a context, Dr. Appannan highlighted how CDSS can be invaluable for frontline health providers in staying informed and improving patient care. He advocated for a mandatory CDSS implementation in Malaysia, signifying the need for structured support systems in healthcare.
Addressing Post-Implementation Shortcomings
Dr. Jung raised an important concern about the lack of post-implementation analysis for CDSS. This gap leads to distrust in the effectiveness of such systems, necessitating continuous feedback mechanisms for clinicians to express concerns and experiences.
Collaborative Efforts Crucial for Success
Dr. Appannan referred to the successful implementation of EMR systems as a "science," emphasizing the critical role of planning and infrastructure. The drive toward a unified health system in Malaysia focuses on collaboration among all stakeholders to create robust standards for digital transformation.
National Mandates and Incentives
Sherlock proposed that to effectively encourage EMR adoption and health record sharing, the government should consider implementing national mandates alongside potential incentives for compliance.
Looking Towards the Future
Ultimately, the experts concluded that organizations should clarify their goals and desired outcomes before implementing new systems. Aligning clinical and business processes with technological solutions is key to delivering improved healthcare outcomes.
Conclusion: A Roadmap for Interoperability
The discussions at HIMSS24 APAC highlighted that for successful healthcare transformation in the Asia-Pacific region, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Addressing clinician efficiency, engaging patients, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders are pivotal steps toward achieving true interoperability and enhancing overall patient care in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
