Ballpoint pen writing. Streaks of ink are visible on the ball, indicating the direction of rotation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There is a big push to make health records electronic. However, the problem is that people are too closely connected to the old-fashion pen and paper. Also, there isn’t a nationwide program that everyone can use and update…What if there was a solution that was the best of both worlds?
According to a press release on Market Watch’s website titled, “Anoto Digital Pen and Paper Facilitating Adoption of Meaningful Use Certified Electronic Health Record Technology,” the technology is being used more in the health care setting.
According to the press release, 80 percent of physicians still use pen and paper. “’This technology is a good option since it doesn’t force a new behavior; you’re simply leveraging something familiar – pen and paper,’ said Pietro Parravicini, senior vice president area manager Americas for Anoto.”
Here is a description from the press release on how the pen works:
“The digital pen is Bluetooth-enabled and contains a tiny digital camera under the tip of the pen that takes pictures at 70 times per second as the user writes. When medical staff fills out paper forms, the handwritten information is recorded onto a chip in the digital pen. When the form is completed, the data in the pen is transferred via a USB docking station or through Bluetooth transmission. The handwritten information is converted into electronic data and uploaded…”
I think this option could be a great way to use both paper and electronic communication. No one wants to be sitting in the doctor’s office watching the doctor type notes into a tablet or computer. It seems sort of intrusive and impersonal. However, writing notes on paper doesn’t seem as intrusive or impersonal in my opinion. With this technology, uploading the information could be done “behind the scenes” so-to-speak. This could keep both doctor and patient happy.
What are your thoughts?
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