The healthcare sector as we know it is undergoing a full examination, with digital practices transforming the ways medical professionals interact with their patients. Today, doctors have immediate access to tools that enable them to review patient data on-the-go, access databases and applications outlining drug and treatment options at their fingertips, and ultimately heighten response-times and management programs for patients in need.
The high uptake of bring your own device (BYOD) and wearable devices across the healthcare sector is not only benefiting doctors with more flexible ways of working — it’s also enabling the provision of faster diagnosis and superior care.
Mobility solutions have already made significant inroads into the health sector, seamlessly driving interactions from hospital room, to office, to clinic. Although, like any new business IT policy, the successful rollout of BYOD in an environment as sensitive as healthcare requires some significant thought and consideration.
As more and more healthcare-specific applications become available over the coming years, cross-platform virtualisation software will be the enabling factor to ensure medical practitioners are armed with the tools to immediately access the resources they require — from any device — to maintain a patient-centric focus.
Through desktop and app virtualisation, remote support and cloud networking, healthcare providers are also afforded the opportunity to ‘go-beyond’ their workplace. In doing so, the health sector is equipped with increased flexibility and greater control over patient data through secure channels.
However, despite the pre-existing relationship between mobility and the healthcare sector, stakeholder buy-in must be ensured to maintain an effective rollout of BYOD initiatives. As the care sector undergoes a tech-focused renaissance, classic forms of patient observation should be nurtured, with the introduction of new methods of patient care also encouraged.
By highlighting the benefits of mobility to all areas of an organisation — from HR through to medical practitioners — and introducing comprehensive security policies from an early-stage, health organisations can ensure a smooth adoption of new solutions. Various perspectives from within the organisations will help map out best practice and policies for the technology upgrade and highlight levels of need and preference.
As the sector integrates with technological advancements, new ways of working shouldn’t undermine or define a health organisation’s existing infrastructure. Responsible usage policies should be installed to optimise care, without impacting patient privacy. Policies should be built on foundations of security and compliance and address employee eligibility in order to deliver constant, high-quality care. Additionally, policies should be reviewed to determine whether BYOD programs are suited to particular organisations, or whether a corporate-owned device scheme would enable a streamlined rollout of mobility solutions.
By embracing mobility solutions, the healthcare sector will benefit from increased response times and greater patient care, driving the future of the sector forward. Harnessing the potential of virtual desktops and cloud networking will enable care providers with greater access to a wealth of data, informing interactions with patients and other providers of care.
Matt Hyne is director of business and technology strategy, Citrix ANZ.
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