The advancement of digital tools has brought about a profound transformation across many sectors, and healthcare is no exception. When used with the appropriate ethical and technical safeguards, these tools can contribute to increased productivity and career development.
In recent years, several studies have highlighted the potential benefits of digital technologies for healthcare professionals. One such study, an umbrella review published in The Lancet Digital Health, found that these tools positively affect practitioner performance, clinical effectiveness, and patient access to care.
Researchers also identified beneficial effects, including expanding service reach, improving job satisfaction, reducing task execution time, and even optimizing administrative processes.
"Digital technologies have great potential for healthcare professionals," said Israel Júnior Borges do Nascimento, professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the study's first author. A consultant to the World Health Organization on digital health issues and a cardiology specialist, Borges do Nascimento asserted that there is already robust evidence that technological literacy and the adoption of digital tools bring numerous benefits to clinical practice.
Digital health technologies encompass a wide range of tools, such as telemedicine platforms, remote monitoring devices, mobile devices, electronic medical records, clinical decision support systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
According to Borges do Nascimento, familiarity with and mastery of these tools is increasingly an advantage in advancing medical careers. "Today, doctors who adapt to telemedicine, telehealth, and AI practices will have a very different professional profile."
Beyond the more obvious benefit of increasing patient access, the advantages extend much further. One key benefit of telemedicine is its assistance with clinical decision-making, as it allows doctors to consult specialists quickly and easily, even those located in remote areas.
"People think telemedicine is just about treating patients remotely, but it's much more than that. Telemedicine allows us to communicate various treatment modifications to the patient, promoting integrated and longitudinal care," Borges do Nascimento explained.
As the author of numerous analyses on the impact of digital health tools, Borges do Nascimento thinks that AI tools, when used correctly, can assist clinicians in many ways. Globally, several AI systems are designed specifically for use by healthcare professionals. However, general-purpose platforms, such as ChatGPT by OpenAI and Gemini by Google, can also be adapted for multiple professional uses. This adaptation requires proper configuration and, most importantly, attention to ethical and privacy considerations.
Borges do Nascimento particularly emphasized privacy concerns in the use of AI in healthcare. He stressed the importance of deleting or omitting any data that could potentially identify the patient. To ensure that AI models accurately perform the tasks assigned to them, he recommended using advanced settings in these tools, which allow for precise control over their processes.
In addition to clinical practice, technology can be a valuable tool in ensuring greater organization and efficiency in other aspects of professional life. Organizational tools help identify and prioritize demands, creating more realistic schedules and goals focused on the most important tasks. An organized routine and environment help reduce work-related anxiety and stress.
Judith Piza Varandas, a master's in international management and partner at Setter, a São Paulo-based investment bank, emphasized that time management is one of the most common challenges across many fields today. "We continue to equate productivity with the number of tasks completed throughout the day. However, being productive doesn't mean being busy all the time; it means executing tasks efficiently -- even dedicating less time to them," she said.
In addition to critically assessing the priority level of commitments, Varandas recommended a simple yet effective strategy: Schedule time in advance for completing important tasks. This helps avoid having time for tasks overtaken by meetings or bureaucratic matters that could be rescheduled.
"Another strategy I recommend is reducing the time spent in meetings. Whenever possible, I opt for shorter and more focused meetings. For example, if a meeting was scheduled for an hour, I check if we can resolve it in 45 minutes," she explained. "This 15-minute gain allows me to take a small break between commitments and tasks, avoiding working nonstop."
Many productivity experts also suggest automating repetitive tasks, such as scheduling meetings and sending confirmation emails and reminders. This frees up time for professionals to focus on activities that require their full attention.
The calendar automation platform Calendly is a favorite in this segment. By syncing personal and work calendars, users can create a personalized link to a page displaying their available times for meetings. Those accessing the link can choose the most convenient date and time for the meeting. Additionally, links for meetings can be generated automatically, and multiple team members can be included in the meetings.
Varandas also recommended other tools that positively affect productivity:
AI tools, in fact, introduce new options almost daily. Beyond products specifically designed for productivity and organization, general platforms can also be leveraged for various professional uses.
The best-known of these, ChatGPT, can be converted into a sort of virtual assistant. "It's great for organizing notes and generating meeting summaries. A useful practice is to take a photo of your handwritten notes and ask for a summary of each meeting," Varandas recommended.
By integrating technological solutions into their daily routine, professionals can optimize their time, reduce repetitive efforts, and focus on what really matters, ensuring greater efficiency and balance in their work routine.
