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How does technology negatively affect your medical care?
Has technology been frustrating, perhaps even hindering your medical care, and if so, how?
Many doctor’s offices now require patients to approach kiosks upon arrival to check in, pay medical bills, and complete forms or questionnaires. A patient portal is a secure website where patients are encouraged to access and manage their personal health information such as appointment summaries and reminders, test results, and treatments. Automated phone systems will help you refill prescriptions without speaking to a pharmacist.
This sounds wonderful if you are technologically inclined but if you aren’t, modern devices can make patients feel nervous, self-conscious, and limited. This is often a struggle for senior citizens like my parents, who might not have personal email addresses or knowledge and access to the internet.
Have you ever taken technology classes for seniors? What other solutions might help patients navigate modern technology?
If Colleen Steele may name and quote you in a column on this topic, please include your consent and year of diagnosis within your comment. Thank you in advance.
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12 Replies
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@Colleen , this is another exciting topic. I like to consider myself somewhat tech-savvy. However, I have noticed that over the years, as technology has crept into more labs and doctor offices, many others have complained that they cannot do the online charts.
I’ve also helped seniors at the local lab I used to frequent so frequently in Texas. They were confused when greeted by a kiosk to sign in instead of a person at the front desk.
Technology has pros and cons when managing a rare disease like PH.
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@jen-cueva same, Cullen and I have watched many seniors struggle at the kiosks. I hope other members will jump in and share either their own medical related technology struggles or ones they have witnessed others have.
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Hi @Colleen , yes, just on Friday, I helped another lady, who barely spoke English to sign in at the lab. The poor lady was struggling and two men around her didn’t even try to help her. I went over and asked if she needed help. She looked at me, smiled, and moved back so I could show her. We got her all signed in and she had the biggest smile when she was called in to have her blood drawn.
it’s the simple acts of kindness.
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@jen-cueva may I ask, was she a senior citizen? I hadn’t considered how a kiosk could also make things more complicated for non-English speaking parents. Not only is technology a struggle but finding someone willing able to help them must be too! I will be sharing this in my column with your permission. Thank you!
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Hi @Colleen , this lady wasn’t a senior citizen. But if she were, that would probably only add to her confusion. Poor lady; I felt so bad for her. Yes, certainly feel free to share this in your column.
It’s sad how many people walk by others who are obviously struggling in public and never offer a hand. It often seems that the kindness of strangers is long gone. However, I am continuously reminded how we still have those kind folks around. 🤗
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I’m sharing my column this week because it’s focus is on the difficulties some patients experience at medical facilities when checking in by using a kiosk. I share a few suggestions of how I think this issue can be resolved. An employee for a company who produces kiosks commented on the column that they encourage medical facilities to offer their patients the option to list in their charts whether they prefer front desk or kiosk check in. I think that and volunteers stationed at kiosks would solve the issues people have with them. What are your thoughts on this topic?
Patients are losing patience at the medical check-in kiosk:
https://pulmonaryhypertensionnews.com/columns/patients-losing-patience-medical-check-in-kiosk/
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Hi @Colleen , this piece came out so well. I know many others, even outside the PH community, will find some benefit from reading. I loved the idea of having volunteers at the kiosk, as many are not tech-savvy and struggle with that even signing in.
I’ve not yet seen where we can sign in at the front desk or the kiosk. Has anyone else come across this in your online charts, etc?
The group in Florida you wrote about is phenomenal, and hopefully, others will read about it and want to do something similar to help the elderly in their area.
Thanks for that informative column, Colleen.
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@jen-cueva I’ve never seen the option either, to sign in at the desk or the kiosk. I wish it was more commonly offered!
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Hi @Colleen-Steele , that would be great if we all had that option. Hopefully, that will be something we see in the next few years.
Has anyone else seen this option yet?
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@jen-cueva I went for my ECHO today at a facility I have never been to. Google Maps was not cooperating. I wasn’t sure the building I arrived at was where I needed to be. I walked in, and there was a kiosk. I walked past it because I wanted to ask the desk if I was in the right place. Before I could say anything they pointed at the kiosk. The receptionist was nice when I explained why I needed to speak to her but geez, the pointing at the kiosk before I got to speak rubbed me the wrong way. The kiosk was the easiest one I have ever used. All it asked for was my name and was test I was there for. So at least there was that positive.
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Hi, @Colleen; speaking of GPS, that’s another struggle many have trouble with, especially if it’s a first-time visit like you did yesterday. I know at times, mine in my car isn’t always helpful.
How rude that the receptionist pointed you to the kiosk before you could ask any questions. I’m grateful she was kind and that the kiosk was simple to use.
How did you like the new cardiologist? Or did you only have the Echo and now wait to see if they call or update your online chart?
Are you headed back today to pick up Cullen for his break? Will he be off for two weeks? What a wonderful treat for you and your parents as you await Aidan. 🤗
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@jen-cueva I wait to see who is going to read it. I should have called the doctor’s office today to make them aware I did it and still need a doctor. I was going to get Cullen today but he had some things to do. I’ll pick him up tomorrow.
Usually GPS works well for me but it confused me a bit this time around. Mainly because the office was in a location I was expecting it to be.
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