12 things doctors should consider before a major tech investment

Physicians can benefit from technology as much if not more than other professionals. Telemedicine, for example, is a way to deal with physician shortages in some parts of the country, and can also reduce healthcare costs. Doctors are using an increasing number and variety of electronic devices to diagnose and treat patients, and electronic health records are replacing paper. Some practices are adopting artificial intelligence for billing and to maximize revenue, and physicians are communicating with patients through email and text messages. However, the tech boom can also create its own problems. It can overwhelm physicians trying to figure out what kind of technology is best for them. Some doctors are turning to cybersecurity firms to guard against the hacking of electronic records. How can physicians navigate the new tech world and decide which systems and devices will bring them a good return on their investment?Medical Economics reached out to physicians, healthcare technology experts, and financial consultants across the United States and asked what factors doctors should consider before investing in technology. Here’s what they said. Image: ©Wright Studio / Shutterstock.com