The introduction of electronic health records (EHR), has not decreased paperwork, just moved the time-consuming task from desk to screen. At Austin Regional Clinic, doctors use Apple Watches to automatically capture patient visit data, saving time and improving the patient experience.

Like many accountable care organizations, Austin Regional Clinic is building a record of success on the Medicare Shared Savings Program’s (MSSP) so-called “Track One”. Now looming, however is an automatic transfer of ARC to the MSSP’s riskier “track two” after years of hard work implementing our value-based, population health treatment model.

Technology often drives advances in healthcare. The latest pilot program from ARC combines wearable technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to help doctors spend more face time with patients. ARC Chief Medical Information Officer Dr. Manish Naik recently spoke with Health Data Management, an industry resource for healthcare IT leaders, about how Apple Watches can improve the patient experience.

ARC is always looking for ways to increase the time physicians spend with patients. A new pilot program with Notable Health lets participating doctors spend more time talking with patients while an Apple watch takes notes.

These days, customer reviews tend to be guideposts for potential customers. As physicians, we recognize this – and routinely take advantage of it in our personal lives.