Your health files available for the care your deserve
In today’s high-tech world, sending a picture or a document is as easy as pressing a button. However, there’s one industry that seems to consistently fall behind when it comes to file sharing technology - the healthcare industry.
Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or just visit the doctor occasionally for a checkup, you’ve probably experienced the following situation: You schedule a visit with a new provider, only to spend most of the appointment filling out forms and explaining your health history to your doctor. If you need to send over an old X-ray or test result, there’s days of back-and-forth with both providers to coordinate.
With all of the incredible technology we have at our fingertips, why are healthcare organizations still so slow to transfer documents? At Medelinked, we’re on a mission to change that and give you control of your health journey.
The Patient’s Dilemma
A patient’s goal in any healthcare scenario is simple - find the best care possible and ultimately live a long, healthy, and comfortable life. However, communication with healthcare providers is often full of bureaucracy, leading to confusion and frustration for patients.
Many major healthcare systems in the US are still using outdated technology that the average patient doesn’t have access to. A shocking seven in 10 hospitals were still relying on fax machines to transfer patient records in 2019, but the average patient doesn’t have regular access to a fax machine at home. Not only are fax machines slow and inaccessible, but they also pose security issues as they aren’t encrypted.
Another prominent example of outdated healthcare technology is the use of CDs to share X-Ray and MRI results. Since these CDs are physical objects, they often need to be sent via courier or through the mail to be shared. Not only does this pose some unique security risks, but it’s also a very slow process that holds both patients and doctors back.
This medical environment is particularly challenging for patients with chronic conditions who rely on several different medical providers to manage their health. Sending documents back and forth between providers is not only confusing, but also inhibits patients from receiving the care they need or getting a second opinion. In an emergency, rapid file transfer could be essential to receiving safe and proper care. However, many major health systems don’t have the technology in place to send files safely and securely.
This technology gap is also a challenge for patients that move frequently. Choosing a doctor in your new home is already daunting, and many providers don’t have a good system in place for transferring external healthcare records. This creates yet another technological roadblock to finding the care you need.
There are a few reasons why the healthcare industry has been so slow to adopt new technology. The sheer size of many hospitals and healthcare systems creates extra red tape and bureaucracy when it comes to implementing new systems. Additionally, many providers are cautious about using electronic health records due to perceived security and privacy risks - even when these risks are unfounded. Research indicates that the majority of doctors prefer to use paper records because they believe they are more secure, even though electronic health records are actually much safer from theft and damage.
The Medelinked Solution
Medelinked provides a health file transfer solution that makes care more efficient for both doctors and patients. By transferring documents securely at the push of a button, Medelinked helps you spend less time cutting through red tape and more time focusing on what’s most important - your health.
Fast File Transfer
The faster your doctor receives your file transfer, the faster you can get the care you need. Medelinked’s speedy technology allows you to send documents directly between computers - no more waiting for CDs with X-ray results to come through the mail.
Medelinked is also user-friendly for both doctors and patients. It works directly in your web browser, so there’s no need to download or master a new skill. Patients can even use Medelinked to share health data they already collect, such as heart rate or sleep information from their smartwatch. This means that doctors have a wealth of patient information available at their fingertips, enabling them to provide highly personalized and responsive care.
Safe and Secure
Security is particularly important when sharing healthcare files and documents. Medelinked is a highly secure platform that is both HIPAA- and GDPR-compliant. We even partner with Intelerad and Cimar to offer high-quality image exchange and clinical tools for providers.
Communicate With Your Doctor
When you have a healthcare question, it’s always better to consult with your doctor rather than heading to WebMD. Medelinked allows you to message your doctor securely directly through the platform. It’s a quick and easy way to get your doctor’s support when you need it. Communicating with your doctor directly online also helps you avoid unnecessary visits to the office and save time.
Health Transparency
With the complexity and bureaucracy of today’s healthcare system, it often feels like you just don’t have control over your health information as a patient. Using Medelinked gives you access to test results, X-Rays, MRIs, and a huge range of other health data that your doctor collects. This puts you in the driver’s seat and gives you more control over how you communicate your health information with your doctors.