My journey with clinical tech began long before it was commonplace in healthcare. In fact, I had to check my CV to remember when I first used a PDA—short for Personal Digital Assistant. For those too young to remember these clunky, handheld digital organisers from the ‘90s, they were groundbreaking at the time, though they provided nothing fancy—just basic functionality. Back then, we were still firmly in the world of paper. I’ve been lucky enough to see the world of health IT evolve for the better, and as a practicing doctor who now works for Altera Digital Health, I can attest to the great strides that have been made.

I’ve been lucky enough to see the world of health IT evolve for the better, and as a practicing doctor who now works for Altera Digital Health, I can attest to the great strides that have been made.

The progression, looking back, was fairly rapid. Today, I rely on tech before I even arrive at work for my shift in the A&E. Emails, even, keep me connected to colleagues and provide hospital updates (yes, I do read them!). Once at the hospital, the first thing I do is log into our EPR—Sunrise™—and check the state of the department. As a senior clinician, I need to know who needs to be seen, where to prioritise, and how to allocate staff safely and efficiently. Before the EPR, this process was clunky and usually, since we were on paper only, a bit tedious. Now, all the information I need is laid out for me where and when I need it. I think most people know how busy hospitals can get, but as a doctor, I am focused on treating patients and keeping them moving through the appropriate avenues and I have to say, health IT today is enabling clinicians to retrieve critical information, act on it, and feel confident to proceed throughout my shift treating patients.

That is a key consideration: The EPR is not a passive implement for most clinicians. It is necessary. Throughout my days, past and present, the EPR is my constant companion. I review patient histories, request investigations, document decisions and check results—all on Sunrise, our hospital’s single source of truth. My clinical world quite literally revolves around this technology. And I believe only for the better.

But what does this really mean for the state of the healthcare industry and its widespread use of health IT solutions? At Altera, our vision is firmly set towards enabling clinicians to provide next-level healthcare—to have the tools and resources to reduce burnout while ensuring each patient is empowered for a healthier future.

Over the years, I’ve used most major EPRs, and I can say with confidence that Sunrise stands out for one key reason: it helps me get my job done, effectively and efficiently. It doesn’t get in the way—it supports clinical care.

That said, we’re not at the finish line, and maybe that is a good thing. We shouldn’t ever rest on past successes, but should take action to improve what’s working, correct what’s not, and keep getting better every day. There’s more to do, but for now, the evolution is showing promising signs of a better future for care delivery.