Technology. It isn't always the answer

Saddleworth2 said:
I use an app. It requests a prescription from the doctor who authorise it and send electronically to the pharmacy who then update the app to show its ready. Quick and seamless. Technology works for the better in this instance.
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Its fine when it works but the timing can be very variable, from a couple of working days to five or six. And I heard a story last night where someone needed something urgently and their nominated pharmacist (same as mine) isn't open at weekend. They requested the prescription didn't go to their usual one but it did, so they were stuck without the medication they needed all weekend.
 
I have some amazing digital technology. I use it to put my kettle on, one finger taps the switch; I adjust my lighting by turning a dimmer switch knob; I put my washing up on by pressing the GO button; I turn my heating on with one finger on the controller. All these switches are within a few feet of the gadget I call my kitchen chair. So many jobs accomplished by the same piece of technology.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
Its fine when it works but the timing can be very variable, from a couple of working days to five or six. And I heard a story last night where someone needed something urgently and their nominated pharmacist (same as mine) isn't open at weekend. They requested the prescription didn't go to their usual one but it did, so they were stuck without the medication they needed all weekend.
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Take the varince out of the equation then by ordering in plenty time. I order mine 2 weeks before they're due to run out and they're normally ready a week before. If they're not, i can chase the chemist to find out/gently remind them :-)
 
citizen_maine said:
Take the varince out of the equation then by ordering in plenty time. I order mine 2 weeks before they're due to run out and they're normally ready a week before. If they're not, i can chase the chemist to find out/gently remind them :-)
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I ordered in plenty of time this week, but the pharmacy was out of stock. Crazy, don’t they know to order in time?
 
Regarding medical matters I I live in Andalucía which is autonomous regarding medical matters with one computer system integrating hospitals,doctor surgeries and pharmacies. All are accessed via a digital type card for each patient.
It works well so that a doctor can not only prescribe but also make hospital consultant appointments or add a patient to a list.
The pharmacy has access to prescription and tells patient when last month of prescription life occurs or need to renew with patient to doctor.
Doctor appointment via app with choice of telephone or visit with calender to choose from.usually 1 to 3 days
Our surgery has no non medical staff with one nurse and one doctor. Both see patients in time order.
Hospital visits by telephone or immediate printed sheet with a Tel reminder day before.
Currently awaiting physio assessment but only one available at hospital due to other hospitals poaching the doctors.
Have gone private with excellent results being charged 50 euros for scans and first treatment and full disclosure of what is the problem and how it will be treated.

Emergency visit to hospital.First of all card check to remind those without card they will receive only emergency treatment and must pay for any follow up treatment.
Next triage followed by waiting room area with individual doctors calling patient by name the door to go to.Variable time dependant on severity of problem but usually about 2 hours wait.

Regarding eating out, more and more restaurants using a computer order from mobile direct to kitchen which can sometimes upset serving timing because they produce in order of receipt.Can often give mistakes but usually ones where translation was the problem.
 
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Prestwich_Blue said:
I'm an FOC but I make my living working in technology. I design technology solutions for companies that hopefully make them more efficient but I see increasing scenarios where technology just gets in the way.

I have a regular prescription these days and previously you'd request it by dropping a form off at the GP surgery, collect it a couple of days later then go into a convenient pharmacy to have it made up. Now I have to submit it online, wait for a GP to authorise it, then it gets sent to my nominated pharmacy, who need 3 business days to have it ready (although they're usually quite quick). If everything works well, I can submit a request on Monday morning and pick it up on Wednesday afternoon. Last week I submitted a repeat prescription request via the NHS app first thing on Tuesday morning but it wasn't authorised till Friday afternoon, and it wasn't available till the following Tuesday, a week after I submitted it. I had to miss 2 days of tablets because of this. Technology just makes the process worse for the user in this case, not better.

Tonight I went to the theatre and we went into Wagamama for a pre-theatre meal. I asked for the bill but the waitress didn't bring it (in complete contrast to America where it gets brought to you in good time even before you've finished your meal). They said I could scan the app to pay but it wasn't authorised till taking ages as my signal was weak, then I had to authorise it via my banking app. It must have taken 10 minutes and I'm not sure it even went through. Just bring me the fucking bill and the card reader so I can pay it without going through all sorts of hoops.

Why do we need to introduce technology that makes it harder for the user, rather than making it more convenient?
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I saw this sketch last night which might make the point for you!

 
KS55 said:
I ordered in plenty of time this week, but the pharmacy was out of stock. Crazy, don’t they know to order in time?
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I'm assuming you're being sarcastic? If not, apparently the nation voted to leave our biggest trading block and this has led to numerous supply chain issues and certain drugs have been in short supply for some time.
 
KS55 said:
I ordered in plenty of time this week, but the pharmacy was out of stock. Crazy, don’t they know to order in time?
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So you didn't order in time then :-)
My partners drugs are often out of stock, but again ordered in plenty of time allows them to get them before we need them
 
Some say your own hand is better than the best sex robot on the market. Research may be required.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
Its fine when it works but the timing can be very variable, from a couple of working days to five or six. And I heard a story last night where someone needed something urgently and their nominated pharmacist (same as mine) isn't open at weekend. They requested the prescription didn't go to their usual one but it did, so they were stuck without the medication they needed all weekend.
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Nothing is perfect but the technology has helped me manage about a dozen prescription drugs between the two of us without running out. Sometimes there are bumps caused by errors at the medical centre or pharmacy but they are easily fixed. Would choose the technology over managing it manually every time.
Technology is as good as folk make it or operate it. Just look at the new turnstiles as an example. (Still none at entrance B, getting in is a breeze). :-)
 
My biggest complaint about technology is that every business has an app for everything no matter how pointless and it’s just an excuse to collect your data and/or serve you adverts.

Going on holiday? You’ll need the hotel’s app to access the WiFi code, and you’ll need the Airline app to get your boarding passes.

Want to watch TV? Oh well, you’re in luck, we now have about 18 apps for that, and you pay a subscription for each one individually.

Want to park your car? Fuck you buddy, you better download our specific parking app and pay through our shitty system that doesn’t even work.

I don’t mind apps if I am the one searching for them to make my life more convenient. But if you are forcing your app upon me, and there is no other reasonable way of using the service without the app, then I would frankly rather drown in the Goyt than give your business the satisfaction of having one more “user”.
 
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