Medical Industry Steps Up Role Of Technology In After Patient Care

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It has taken a while but the medical world is starting to catch up with the banking hospitality industry and other consumer driven areas by using technology to reach out to patients.

We are starting to see results.

The latest example is from the Mayo Clinic. Pregnant women, who received some of their prenatal care through a remote monitoring system, reported greater satisfaction with their care and less stress about their pregnancies than patients who received usual care. The patients getting the monitoring were in a so called ob nest group and they felt more connected with their doctor. They were also more likely to take proactive steps to insure a healthy pregnancy.