How Are Computers Used Today in the Medical Field?

Computers are changing the way health care organizations do business. As the medical field becomes more progressive through technological advancements, computers are being integrated into the continuum of medical practices to provide more efficient and effective ways of delivering services.

Patient Management

• Health care clinicians and administrators alike are showing enthusiasm for one of the medical field's newest technological trends: patient information management systems. These electronic systems serve as a database for storing patient files. Information can be easily added, changed, deleted, printed or audited by clicking a few buttons on the computer. Doctors do not have to store or carry around health records any longer, because all they need is access to a computer or laptop to pull up patient information.

Scheduling

• When a patients call a health care facility to make an appointment, the representative who answers the phone can schedule them through the use of a computer appointment scheduling system. These electronic systems allow front office staff to add, delete or change appointments with the click of a mouse. If there is more than one doctor in a clinic, schedules can be sorted by doctor, as well as be color-coded to indicate when a doctor has availability.

Medical Claims

• Computers are what health care companies are using to submit, review, process and pay medical claims, according to a 2006 article by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Health technology trends indicate that more and more companies are relying on computers to submit their claims, rather than submitting them via hard copy, because computers expedite the process. Information management engineers have created systems and technology tools that make the claims process of the medical field more efficient and easy to use.

Imaging

• Computers are being broadly utilized in the radiology realm of health care, according to CMT Medical Technologies. Technology advancements have led to more sophisticated ways of taking X-rays and performing imaging services. Imaging technology could not be done without computers. Computers allow radiologists and technicians to study and print the final images.

Communication

• Because so much information is stored on computer networks, health care employees rely on the electronic transmittal of patient information by way of computers. In hospital settings, one department can use a computer to transmit a patient's X-ray results or lab work to another department. A 2010 update by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society explains that health care professionals rely on computers and information systems to enhance the provision of medical services through the sharing of information.