In today's rapidly advancing healthcare landscape, medical technology plays a
pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of care
delivery. From monitoring devices to diagnostic equipment, nurses, doctors and
technicians interact with a myriad of technological tools on a daily basis. However,
harnessing the full potential of these technologies comes with its own set of
challenges, which often go unnoticed.
This article explores the hurdles faced by caregivers, in optimizing the use of the
medical technology they have invested in. From the overwhelming array of devices
to the lack of continuous training and the rapid pace of change, caregivers are faced
with many obstacles, hindering their ability to effectively leverage their technology to
its fullest potential.
We will shed light on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and discuss
solutions which make it easier for them to continuously benefit from the innovation in
their medical products and solutions.
Overwhelming Interaction with Medical Technology
Nurses, in particular, find themselves at the forefront of utilizing medical technology
on a daily basis. Some research estimates that nurses spend an average of 30% to
50% of their time interacting with various technological devices and systems during
patient care. With such a high volume of devices to navigate, from blood pressure
devices, to beds, to mechanical ventilators, through to feeding tubes, IV pumps and
more, it becomes virtually impossible for caregivers to master every single piece of
equipment.
While medical technology has undoubtedly improved patient outcomes, the sheer
volume of devices can be overwhelming for caregivers, who often find themselves
juggling multiple devices simultaneously. This often leads to healthcare providers
only utilizing the very basic aspects of equipment, and not using the advanced
features. The innovations integrated into the latest medical devices are therefore not
being leveraged in the way that the manufacturers designing them had intended.
Dealing with Various Manufacturers and Products
The diversity of medical technology suppliers and products further complicates the
lives of caregivers. With multiple manufacturers offering a wide range of devices and
systems, interoperability issues and workflow disruptions can arise. There is no
standardization across user interfaces and certainly no unified approach to learning.
Lack of Continuous Training
One of the primary challenges faced by caregivers is the lack of continuous training
on medical technology. While initial training sessions are provided, ongoing
education and skill development are often neglected. According to some research,
only 25% of nurses receive regular training on new medical technologies after their
initial orientation.
Continuous training is crucial for caregivers to remain proficient in utilizing medical
technology, however, due to time constraints and resource limitations, this type of
training is often neglected.
Even when caregivers receive comprehensive initial training on medical technology,
the knowledge acquired can quickly diminish if the technology is not used frequently.
In my own experience as Head of Clinical Education and Applications for a global
medical device manufacturer, I have seen how quickly caregivers can forget their
initial training, sometimes within a few months, if they do not regularly interact with
the technology that has been installed.
High Turnover of Staff
In addition to the lack of continuous interaction with technology hindering a
caregivers’ path to product mastery, the healthcare industry faces significant
challenges related to staff turnover, particularly among nursing professionals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the turnover rate for registered nurses in
the United States reached 17.1% in 2023, posing a significant challenge for
healthcare facilities in maintaining a skilled workforce. This is similar in other parts of
the world, especially in those countries with a reliance on an ex-patriot workforce.
During my time as Head of Education, I was often asked by hospitals to provide
additional training to their teams as their super users had moved on to new positions
in their own institution or to other clinics, taking their key product knowledge with
them. Additionally, I received many requests to support the influx of new hires, where
the department did not have enough resources to train new staff on the array of
devices they would be working with.
Rapidly Increasing Innovation
The landscape of medical technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations
and advancements emerging at a rapid pace. According to a research industry
network report, the global MedTech market size was valued at USD 574002.45
Million in 2022 and will reach USD 814159.2 Million in 2028. This will likely be fuelled
by new innovations in smart technology, artificial intelligence, wearables,
personalised care and healthcare informatics.
The rapid rate of innovation presents both opportunities and challenges, as
caregivers must continuously adapt to new technologies while ensuring optimal
patient care. Without a plan to sustainably help caregivers keep up with these
technologies and to benefit from them on an ongoing basis, there is a danger that
the innovation and it’s intended positive impact on health outcomes will be lost.
Conclusion
From overwhelming interactions with multiple devices to the lack of continuous
training and the rapid pace of innovation, caregivers must overcome numerous
obstacles to maximize the potential of the medical technology they have invested in.
“How-to” platforms such as www.simpi.com/medical can address some of these
challenges by providing nurses, doctors and technologists with quick, in context and
continuous access to product use information at the point of care.
If caregivers can easily and consistently leverage all of the innovative features
embedded into their healthcare solutions, we can expect to see a positive impact on
outcomes for patients and staff alike.