I wonder, I wonder, I wonder how technology will influence/change the nature of my field 10 years from now.
National and International
10 years ago I never would’ve had clients in these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington AND these countries: Afghanistan, Canada (Alberta and Ontario), England, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, ALL of whom I’ve been able to work with from the comfort of my own office and that they’ve been able to work with me from the comfort of their own homes or offices.
“Continuity of Care” and “Client-Centered” Realized
In the past it was local or nothing. Now my clients can choose who they work with. They can have real “continuity of care” rather than hope they find a good therapist when they move (and as we know, most don’t make that transition to a new therapist successfully, and more than often drop out of counseling altogether). They no longer have to start over with someone new and tell their whole story fresh again. They have the freedom of continuing the work they began. And new clients from these places get to access who they want to work with. It is truly making it more and more client-centered, which is what we believe in this field, but sometimes isn’t realized. Technology is giving my clients more choice and with choice comes power.
I am truly grateful for amazing technology and ALL the brilliant minds that have come together to make this all so “easy.” Due props to all you awesome geeks and nerds out there!
A nurse on Facebook remarked, “It is awesome that you embrace technology and stay ahead of the pack and up to date on all that is new. So many caregivers refuse to learn a new software or new products. In this new and ever changing world you either have to ride the wave or take the alternative.”
My reply: “Thanks. Yeah, I’ve had this conversation with various healthcare professionals and while there are pros and cons to both tech and traditional ways, the reality is tech and social media aren’t going away, so I figure let’s take the best that traditional experience and ethics have to teach us and incorporate them into what current technology allows us to do like never before. I love your last sentence, too, btw: “”ride the wave or take the alternative.” So true.
This nurse commented further: “I also read your other post [see http://marriageenvy.com/clients-on-facebook-okay-or-not/ I really like the forward thinking of your business practices as far as utilizing technology. I totally agree that social media is here to stay and I do like the way you use your facebook to not only promote your business, but to offer suggestions and offer help and advice to those whom you friend. I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years and most of the time when these technologies have not been utilized until they were well established. Clinicians can now practice outside of a few mile radius and I think that is good. Patients do have some accountability which I think Physicians, particularly feel like they lose when they are separated by too much distance. I do feel like if you don’t stay up with technology, you will be left in its dust. I remember how traumatic it was to let go of paper charts and go to the computer. It seemed crazy for awhile. Now…..what a benefit. Now Rx’s are E-scribed and we don’t even have to give the patient the Rx. Awesome stuff. I am exposed to the tech side because I have a husband and a son who love and live for that stuff. We were going to the CES in Vegas when the internet was first being shown by Intel and I couldn’t imagine how that would ever be possible. They showed a lady ordering flowers and paying over the internet and the flowers being delivered somewhere. I thought it was the craziest thing I had ever seen. NO WAY! Thank Heavens for people with vision for the future. And, yes, they (my husband and son) are geeks and nerds and proud of it.
Related post: Clients on Facebook: Okay or Not? http://marriageenvy.com/clients-on-facebook-okay-or-not/