What's Your Health Grade? - Behavioral Health In The Digital Age

When you go to the doctor's office and complete various questionnaires related to your exercise routine, sleep schedule, dietary habits, hobbies, and even your occupation, a detailed health profile is created. It may be somewhat inconvenient, but physicians collect this type of data to help improve their records and assist their patients. Behavioral health EHR not only makes the data collection process easier for doctors, it also helps to improve accuracy and keep all information in a centralized and easily accessible location.

Improving Accuracy With Digital Behavioral Health Records

Behavioral health records may be physically stored and kept at your doctor's office for many years in an effort to preserve your history. Complications can arise when these records are lost, misplaced or destroyed. Fortunately, behavioral health EHR eliminates these potential issues. Digital behavioral health records can be stored on an external storage device or even within a virtual cloud network. If you visit a hospital, go to a new doctor or are referred to a specialist, your behavioral health records can be almost instantaneously sent to the healthcare practitioner in charge of your care.

Shared Information Means Better Results

Whether you're going to the dentist for a routine dental cleaning or need to visit a radiologist, all of your pertinent health data may be needed. The habits that you have developed over years will have a major impact on your current health grade. For instance, non-smokers may still have health issues if they live with smokers, or live in an environment where there is excessive pollution. This type of information can help dentists and EMTs treat patients as well as give them information on how to keep their mouths and lungs healthier.

The Future of Preventative Healthcare

As paper forms and clipboards are fast disappearing from the waiting rooms of healthcare practitioners, digital devices, electronic records and computers are appearing in their place. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires related to behavioral health prior to even coming in for a visit because it expedites the process. Doctors are able to cross reference records, follow-up and make recommendations on the spot. Fewer medical tests, lower healthcare costs and better treatments are just a few advantages that have come as a result. Even if you feel that you are in perfect health, the information that you give to your doctors will only prove to be beneficial to you in years to come.

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