The digital transformation in health care has brought forth numerous tools and applications to enhance efficiency and patient care. However, this technological influx has given rise to a significant challenge known as the “crowded desktop” problem. This impedes a seamless workflow and contributes to provider fatigue and burnout.
The digital transformation in health care has brought forth numerous tools and applications to enhance efficiency and patient care. However, this technological influx has given rise to a significant challenge known as the “crowded desktop” problem. Many health care providers juggle six to 20 external support tools, including apps, internal systems, and payer tools.1 This impedes a seamless workflow and contributes to provider fatigue and burnout.
THE DILEMMA OF PROVIDER RELUCTANCE
A notable trend emerges as providers, overwhelmed by the multitude of applications at their disposal, tend to gravitate toward the tools natively available within their electronic health record (EHR). This inclination is not merely due to convenience but also the familiarity these tools offer. However, the consequence is a fragmented system where essential insights are dispersed across various platforms, hindering the delivery of optimal patient care.
INSIGHTS FROM PROVIDER PERSPECTIVES
A recent survey conducted with 250 healthcare providers in the United States revealed a unanimous sentiment among 98 percent of respondents that providers believe they could significantly improve patient care if they had easier access to essential insights. This highlights a crucial aspect of the crowded desktop problem—its direct impact on the quality of care that health care professionals can provide.
BALANCING ACT: MAXIMIZING PATIENT TIME VS. ENSURING COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION
While providers aim to maximize the time spent with patients, payers are pivotal in influencing provider behavior to ensure comprehensive documentation. The challenge lies in striking a balance between seamless provider engagement and fulfilling payer requirements. Payers, keen on complete documentation and identifying and closing care gaps, need to collaborate effectively with providers to streamline processes without disrupting existing workflows.
ADAPTING TO EXISTING PROCESSES
Health care practices often have well-established processes that align with their specific needs and preferences. Recognizing the importance of respecting these existing workflows, any solution addressing the crowded desktop problem should be complementary rather than disruptive. Providers are more likely to adopt tools seamlessly integrating with their current practices, ensuring a smoother transition toward more efficient health care delivery.
THE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH: AGGREGATED CARE GAPS FOR ENHANCED EFFICIENCY
A collaborative approach between payers and providers is imperative to alleviate the burden posed by the multitude of disparate tools. One effective strategy involves consolidating care gap information from various payers through one streamlined workflow inside of the EHR. This approach can reduce the burden of multiple workflow management on providers while truly shifting charting behavior to address care gaps.
The “crowded desktop” problem in health care is a multifaceted challenge that demands attention and collaboration between payers and providers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, finding innovative solutions that respect existing workflows while addressing the need for streamlined processes is crucial. By fostering payer-provider collaboration and embracing technology that complements established practices, the health care industry can overcome the crowded desktop problem and, in turn, enhance the overall quality of patient care.
Reference
- Insiteflow. How EHR Workflows Impact Clinician Experience, Patient Care, and Profitability. 2023.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Megan Zakrewsky, vice president of product, payer clinical data exchange, Veradigm, is a dedicated, driven leader and certified project management professional with over 13 years of diversified health care experience.
She is passionate about the health care informatics industry and improving patient autonomy, insight, and outcomes through clinical data exchange.