The medical field is always on the cutting edge of technology. New ways to examine the human body and ward off the diseases that harm it have come a long way and continue to evolve.

In 2003, Dr. Babak ‘Bob’ Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS, made a bold move by going completely paperless at the University Foot and Ankle Institute in Los Angeles, where he serves as the practice’s director and co-owner.

Baravarian also implemented a digital X-ray system, which at the time was very uncommon in the United States. This forward-thinking, coupled with a focus on client care, has allowed the practice to succeed and become a leader in foot and ankle procedures in Southern California over the last 16 years.

On this episode of CurveBeam Connect, host Vinti Singh chatted with Baravarian about his history with technology in the health care industry and what impact it has on the way he treats patients.

Food and Ankle Institute uses weight-bearing CT Scans instead of X-rays, and Baravarian said the former is becoming increasingly obsolete as new and more effective equipment arises.

Still, the doctor sees a few major issues with the state of health care today.

“What is wrong with our health care system is that the dollar is going into the wrong pocket. If you look at the quality of care, the biggest issue is you have a health system where the right hand and the left hand aren’t talking to each other,” he said.

On that point, Baravarian elaborated that the ratio of administrators to doctors has increased rapidly, which has raised prices while lowering efficiency and reducing the level of care.

Baravarian is excited to see how health care might change in the near future, and surely there will be new treatments and technologies leading the way.