CLINIQUE PASTEUR Toulouse

Celine Orhond

In an interview with Healthcare Tech Outlook, Celine Orhond, Px Patient Relations and ExperienceDirector, CLINIQUE PASTEUR Toulouse, shares her thoughts on the modern digital healthcare landscape. She also sheds light on how companies today leverage emerging technologies to streamline clinical workflows and improve the overall experience for patients and healthcare professionals.

Please walk me through the journey you have had and your current role and responsibility?

I have had diverse experiences that shaped my expertise in digital healthcare.As a medical doctor in renowned hospitals, I became inspired to establish a non-profit association focused on enhancing patient pathways for individuals with diabetes. Taking on the role of director, I led the development of an online medical history platform designed to facilitate improved communication between general practitioners and hospitals.

Following my tenure as a digital healthcare expert in CLINIQUE PASTEUR Toulouse in the South of France, I was intrigued to develop a software catering to patientsbased on their unique requirements. This innovative system facilitated seamless connectivity and access to both historical and prospective patient information. Its comprehensive functionality encompasses a wide spectrum of patient pathways, including prevention, healthcare, education, and coordination of medical and social needs.

Theoutcomes of this multi-year project proved to be highly commendable to the extent that every organization tasked with managing patient pathways in the area embraced the software. Recognizing the significance of data consolidation to promote standardized language and tools, the government of Pariscollaborated with our organization to adapt and implement the software nationwide within the digital healthcare industry.

Currently, as a director of a patient experience in CLINIQUE PASTEUR Toulouse, we prioritize three key aspects, which are improving patient experience, enhancing our organizational capabilities for patient admission and discharge, and effectively implementingadvanced tools in digital healthcare.

What would you say are some of the challenges you have witnessed in the digital healthcare space, and how do you align yourselves accordingly?

Over an extensive timeframe, we have firmly established ourself as a leading healthcare institutionin the digital healthcare realm. Our reputation has garnered attention from other regions within France and even international visitors who seek to observe and learn from our well-organized practices.

“We prioritize three key aspects, which are improving patient experience, enhancing our organizational capabilities for patient admission and discharge, and effectively implementing advanced tools in digital healthcare”

However, as we confront numerous roadblocks, the abundance of digital software and tools presents a primary challenge of selecting the most effective solution. It requires careful evaluation to determine which option would truly enhance our organizational processes.

Is there any project or initiative you have undertaken in the digital healthcare technology landscape that you would want to share?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospital introduced a patient portal as part of our response efforts. It proved to be a valuable platform for streamlining hospital visits, enabling patients to conveniently complete tasks online, like submitting their medical history, giving consent for important documents, and accessing informative videos. This efficient approach significantly reduced delays and allowed patients to proceed smoothly with their healthcare journey.

Our patient portal served as a centralized hub not only for patients but also for healthcare professionals.We effectively combined and integrated digital solutions, allowing healthcare professionals to obtain the right information at the right moment without disrupting their existing workflow. It enhanced the overall efficiency of all departments within the hospital ecosystem.

How does your future look like in the digital healthcare field?

The healthcare industry has to pivot its focus toward ergonomics which plays a crucial role in effectively implementing digital solutions. This involves employing standards to achieve a proper ergonomic design ensuring that different solutions can seamlessly collaborate. Without standardization, there will be constant need to rewrite information, posing significant challenges for healthcare professionals and patients. Due to the lack of information continuity, they often have to repeatedly follow up for information. Therefore, the primary objective for the industry is to integrate digital solutions so that the healthcare information is consistently structured across different platforms.

What would be your single piece of advice to an aspiring professional in your field?

When working in the healthcare industry, one of the most challenging aspects is simultaneously meeting the diverse needs of both patients and healthcare professionals.This becomes especially difficult with a wide range of professionals involved, including general practitioners and hospital specialists. This is why it is crucial to work hand in hand with stakeholders early on to gather their insights and feedback for making necessary improvements

Remember, involving patients and healthcare professionals in the development process ensures that the solution truly caters to their needs and is not imposed upon them. Instead of presenting a solution after maturity, engage in ongoing discussions and evaluations during the middle stages of development. This agile approach allows for continuous improvements and ensures that your solution aligns with the requirements of everyone involved.

Remember, collaboration, early engagement, and constant refinement are key to creating effective solutions that truly meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals. By working together from the start, we can transform healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for everyone involved.