Clippings

Posts for Tag: health care

PillPack

PillPack  is an idea that sounds like it makes so much sense I can't believe I haven't heard of it before (never mind that it's supposed to be in common use at nursing homes and the like). I like the idea of automatic reordering and presorted medicine; the only thing I can't find at the web site is whether the company provides an annual summary. Fast Company gives some background.

Why Aren't Doctors More Tech-Savvy?

Whenever I feel like taking a trip back in time, I save myself the trouble of building a time machine and instead just head over to a doctor’s office. For a Millennial, or really anyone who lives a modern lifestyle, getting medical care is a rare departure from an otherwise technology-fueled existence...

Few of my doctors use email to communicate with patients, so medication refills, questions about side-effects, or reminders about appointments all require elaborate phone tag. This hassle is exacerbated by the fact that healthcare is one of the few consumer-focused industries where being a few minutes late is a sin so grave that it’s punished with a total cancellation of the appointment, and sometimes even the forfeiture of the fee.

At The Atlantic, Olga Khazan asks Why Aren't Doctors More Tech-Savvy? and tells an amazing (and disconcerting) tale of health care. The article includes the second reference I've seen lately to the use of scribes by doctors, mentions One Medical (which has come to my notice before), and suggests that the the price of switching to a tech-based doctor will be only about $150-$200 a year. That's a small cost, but the real disadvantage comes in breaking established relationships with doctors who haven't made the switch. Is it right to pay a premium to keep up with the times?