The health industry is one of the top growing sectors of today’s time. With spiking health issues and an aging population, the demand for health services is on the rise. Similarly, the shortage of healthcare workers is putting additional pressure on healthcare systems. Instead of letting this chaos affect patient care, one can take advantage of tech innovations in the healthcare sector. It has brought remarkable changes in the health industry, improving the quality of health services.
With health analytics and digital records, physicians can diagnose patients more accurately. They would have access to their past medical history, current health condition, and drug usage, helping them develop better treatment plans. Similarly, technology in healthcare is also adding convenience at the patient’s end. Telehealth and digital applications provide remote access to health services. After all, they can communicate and discuss their symptoms with practitioners from the comfort of their homes.
As reliance on technology will continue to increase, we can say the future of healthcare lies in working hand-in-hand with technology. So, do you know about the latest tech developments? Here we are unfolding six solutions technology has provided to the healthcare system.
1. Digital Healthcare
For decades, healthcare has been all about in-person consultations. As a result, patients had to run to the nearest healthcare center for treatment despite the hospital’s location. Now, technology is offering remote access to health services. There are countless healthcare mobile and web applications, opening doors to virtual consultations. Hence, patients can consult a doctor from anywhere globally and receive quality care from miles away.
Additionally, patients now also have access to the online pharmacy which means, they can order medicines and get them delivered to their doorsteps. They have to complete a consultation with the prescriber to avoid misuse of medicines. After this, patients receive a virtual receipt of their purchase and get medications provided to their location. The increasing digitalization is improving accessibility while providing convenience to patients.
2. Genome Sequencing
Surprisingly, sequencing the human genome has been one of the greatest innovations in the last 40 years’ health technology. It refers to the sequencing and analysis of an individual’s genome and providing information about it. People can learn drug sensitivity and how much of its consumption is healthy or unhealthy for them. Likewise, it can uncover monogenic conditions and the sequence of diseases in a patient’s family history.
Genome sequencing also provides a practical call to action. For instance, if you are vitamin deficient, the test will show that you should have a higher vitamin A, E, and iron intake. It can also disclose whether you are lactose, gluten, or alcohol intolerant. Depending on a patient’s health, it can unearth health conditions that have high occurrence risk, helping them take preventive actions beforehand. Do you know the best part? Now, these genetic tests cost less than a general blood test, improving overall well-being.
3. Cloud Storage & Health Analytics
With spiking digitalization, the healthcare sector is generating tons of data every day. However, without analytical tools, this data won’t be of any use to the healthcare institutes. Therefore, health professionals are leveraging health analytics to collect and analyze data. From medical costs, patient behavior, disease outbreaks to pharmaceuticals – health analytics can unfold rich insights and support decision-making. It can improve operational efficiency and reduce overall healthcare costs.
Embedded analytics and reporting solutions can also help physicians improve performance by delivering data-based quality care. Health analytics can combine structured and unstructured data, assisting doctors in performing in-depth analysis. Besides, it can reduce patient wait-times by measuring and scheduling the staffing procedures. For instance, it can deploy more staff in the clinics during rush hours or allocate resources in departments efficiently.
4. Electronic Health Record Systems
Previously, nurses had to spend hours filing patient data and updating information but not anymore. The emergence of electronic health records lets healthcare institutes maintain digital versions of conventional files and patient charts. These systems record patient’s medical history, test results, treatment plans, allergies, and even immunization records. Besides, all these records are available at our fingertips, eliminating the need to go through all the paperwork.
Moreover, electronic health record systems also promote data sharing. Nurses can send patient records to healthcare providers within minutes, leading to a more accurate diagnosis. It also reduces the likelihood of medical errors and provides safer medical care. For instance, if a person suffering from cardiovascular disease also has diabetes, the practitioner will leverage this information before prescribing any medicines.
5. Healthcare Sensors & Wearables
These days, the health industry is trying to empower patients and encourage them to take charge of their health. Here, tech innovations such as wearables and sensors are paving the way. These devices track the body’s health parameters such as sleeping patterns, heart rate, blood pressure, etc., in real-time. One of the simplest forms of wearables is fitness wristbands. These devices have sensors that track the user’s physical activities, letting them monitor their health.
In a medical setting, health professionals use biosensors for remote patient monitoring. It is a self-adhesive patch that collects data on patients’ movements. Similarly, it measures skin temperature, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation to ensure the patient’s well-being. Besides this, patients can also share the health records generated from these devices, helping physicians make more informed decisions.
6. 3D-Printing Devices
The medical industry has become a massive user of 3D printing devices. Unlike old times where surgeons relied on 2D models to examine patient anatomy, they use precise replicas generated by 3D printers. Likewise, dentists are using these devices to make invisible braces, dentures, and artificial teeth. It can print bio issues, blood vessels, and artificial prosthetics for disabled people with size and color customizations.
Furthermore, it is producing limb sockets to develop exoskeletons that could help paralyzed patients walk again. The pharmaceutical industry is reaping the benefits of this technology. The researchers have been printing ‘Polly-pills’ that help patients adhere to their therapeutic plan. In short, these innovative solutions are significantly improving patients’ well-being.
Final Words
We are witnessing revolutionary times for the healthcare industry, thanks to technology. Patients no longer have to travel to hospitals because of minor coughs or flu. They can virtually discuss their symptoms with physicians. Similarly, wearable devices provide insights into individual’s well-being while encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Today, the healthcare sector’s landscape is more fast-paced and patient-friendly than ever before. Therefore, everyone must learn about these tech solutions and start implementing them.