Amanda Nunan

I love the idea of having digitized medical history and files, and using technology to help prevent patients from slipping through the cracks. I also love the potential that IoT has for the medical industry, making sure that health conditions are monitored closely without the need to visit a doctor’s office, or to simply improve and streamline the interactions between doctors and patients. I didn’t know, however, that doctors now have wearables that can track their patients’ progress and I think that’s really fascinating! Sounds like a way for doctors to make sure that assistance is given in as timely of a manner as possible.

I like how you bring the user into this process. A lot technical innovations talk about what they can do for consumers, but none talk about what the consumer can do for the tech. By putting a focus on what the consumer can do to control the out come it gives them buy in. They will be more honest and forthcoming with information if they can see the direct (positive) results of their integration with the system. In this new IoT world we live in, it is easy to forget that we are part of that world.

One of the best doctors I have ever worked with is pretty old school. Whenever I see him, I watch him take copious notes of what we discuss – his ability to carry on a conversation while doing that always amazes me. He’s an allergist, but he has diagnosed other non-allergy related things. He’s pretty remarkable. All of that said, I’ve also thought a lot about the true value of those notes if they just sit on a piece of paper in a folder. What happens with them? Does anyone else ever see them to be able to make use of them? I also can’t imagine someone like him using another input device (although, perhaps he could convert to using a tablet as long as he was able to hand write and have software convert his writing into text).

Contrast that with my primary doc, who enters everything into a system (note here that both docs are in the same health system). What is interesting to me is that our conversations feel a bit more stilted, almost like I’m answering a multiple choice test, as opposed to a more nuanced, “essay” conversation.

All of that said, I prefer my primary because her office makes use of a lot of the digital tools that are available; I can communicate with the practice through a portal, review my records, schedule/reschedule visits.

It’s a long way of saying that I’m hopeful that the purveyors of these technologies would do well to help medical systems with getting some of the non-tech physicians better trained – perhaps even helping to create some of the training/messaging to foster better acceptance by those who are less amenable to using these great tools. At the end of the day, if tech is not easy to use, it’s not doing its job. This also highlights the fact that marketing goes way beyond making the sale; it’s continuing to engage the customer.

Having medical information all paper and files is a recipe for disaster! I know some places do that but it really is hard because I go to doctor’s all the time for my condition. I literally have to carry around a binder with all of my information and papers from all the different facilities I have been to. Each new doctor likes to look through all of the files. Usually though, a lot of places have been scanning all my files. The wearables are a great idea and can definitely help doctors and specialists tremendously. When I first started creating the binder, I had to run around to EVERY place I had been to to get tests and procedures, to college CD’s, scans, and papers of all of my past information. I wouldn’t have to do that because the wearable would allow different doctors to share medical files of the same patient. This would definitely make my life a lot easier! Unfortunately, not all doctors would be willing to use these.

My old doctors office used to have everything on file just by paper. Now my new doctors office has even an app for us to engage with our personal doctor or reach out to anyone who is available. I think digitalizing the healthcare industry is a great especially during a worldwide pandemic. All of the new ways the healthcare has to offer just through chats or video calls not just because of the pandemic, but. say someone doesn’t have a ride to the doctors, or they’re too sick to get out of bed, or maybe has anxiety of doctors offices. I think this is a great start for the healthcare industry and who knows just like in the movies, maybe we’ll just need a scan to tell us what’s wrong with us.

Amanda, a very interesting and current topic! I have a friend who is a teacher and teaches underprivileged children. She was telling me just the other day that a majority of her students, who are currently online learning, cannot grasp the technology because they’ve never had the chance to use it before. The school was able to provide them with the tools to submit the work but my friend is finding it hard to mark the work being submitted. The students are having to teach themselves tasks that we would find simple, like writing on the iPad. It must be so hard for them to feel confident in their work and at the same time must be so frustrating when having to learn the technology. I think the tribe you mention have created a wonderful resource and it shows us that sometimes when you need something doing, you just have to do it yourself. I sympathize with these children who deserve the same opportunities as everyone else.

Thank you for informing us that there are still people in this world doing their part to make the world a better place.

Amanda and Hannah –

I agree, very relevant topic. This is just the start to making a difference in the education gap. I have a friend that is a teacher in a bilingual school, just the other day she was telling me of all the challenges that she is facing. Her school provided all students with chrome books, but with remote learning a large percentage of teaching falls on the students parents. Many of whom may not be technology savy, she described having to try and explain how to use a mouse to a parent so they could operate the resources they have been provided with.

I think technology could be a saving grace for a large percentage of the gap in education but there are a lot of additional features that comes along, like wifi access as you mentioned and tech skills.

I have a 16 step-son who is online learning and is finding it extremely difficult to stay focused for 7-8 hours a day, Than there is my 6 year old niece who is having the same issue….For the most part, all of my friends with children, agree-the on-line learning concept is extremely hard for all ages..

I understand it must be done during these times, however i do not think it should be a constant in the future, at least for middle school and high school students for full time schooling. Technology is a great resource, however i feel the world is going down a rabbit hole with on-line learning and it will effect the younger generation socially as well as psychologically .

Great post Amanda. It’s easy to focus on the negative impacts the pandemic had on the world. This article brings out the positives. The system the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe used was not only able to bridge the gap, but it paved the way for low income students in the future. This is such. great way to provide equal education opportunity. As many people dislike online education, technology is the future. Children who do not have reliable internet access will be able to have more time to modernize with society. I hope as you said, more people follow this model.

This is an awesome innovation that I hope to see implemented in communities and neighborhoods everywhere. This would definitely alleviate a lot of the burden for families that can’t afford internet and/or help them use that money elsewhere. However, we will still need a solution for providing these families with computers/laptops. I feel like that’s why the US Census is so important. People aren’t filling these out so they can get the proper funding they need. In addition, imagine the potential for these wireless networks? We could probably establish permanent internet connections in places that we never thought we could before.

Before the pandemic I was on the fence about universal high speed internet. However, now I feel it should be a fundamental service. Just like the government provides water, swage, and electricity. There should be a process to ensure internet for all residents. If the government did this it would also address another problem, net neutrality. As a public service the internet would be protected against ISPs limiting internet speeds based on how much you pay.