Digital technologies have changed the way we live, the way we look at life and the way we experience things. It is no surprise that in this age of rapid technological advancement, digital technologies have permeated every facet of our lives, reshaping industries and transforming the way we access services. Healthcare is no exception to this. From wearable devices to ultra-modern hospital technology, digital technologies are revolutionising the delivery of healthcare, ushering in an era of increased accessibility, efficiency, and personalised medicine.
Telemedicine: Bridging the Distance Gap
If the past pandemic has shown us anything, it is that technology can be used in a variety of ways for a multitude of reasons. It has been an especially transformative force in healthcare, breaking down geographical and physical constraints and making medicine more accessible than ever. Through virtual appointments and remote monitoring, patients can connect with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes. This saves time and travel, and also ensures that people in rural or underserved areas can get the correct medical advice on time.
The convenience of telemedicine is particularly evident in routine check-ups, follow-up appointments, and the management of chronic conditions. Real-time virtual interactions take precedence over long waits or extenuating travel circumstances for consultations. Instead, they can have real-time interactions with their healthcare providers through video calls, facilitating proactive and continuous care.
Also Read: Digital Horizons: Transformative trends shaping consumer healthcare marketing in 2024
Offering unprecedented access to healthcare services, this delivery model eliminates geographical boundaries, improves convenience, and reduces healthcare costs. Especially in a country like India where a large amount of the population lives in rural areas without access to quality medical advice, and can often not even afford the healthcare that they deserve.
Wearable Devices: Empowering Personalised Healthcare
Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become ubiquitous in our day to day lives. These wearable devices play a crucial role in encouraging their wearers to take the lead in their well-being. From monitoring physical activity and sleep patterns to tracking vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure, wearables provide a wealth of data that can inform personalised healthcare plans.
This real-time data is incredibly valuable for healthcare professionals to gain an insight into their patients’ lifestyles and health trends. This data can then be used to customise a treatment plan to perfectly suit the individual, encouraging preventative measures and early interventions. Wearable devices encourage proactively taking care of one’s health, and also facilitate continuous monitoring when needed, reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Streamlining Information Flow
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are taking over paper-based medical records, which are slowly being phased out to make room for the EHR adoption. EHRs digitize patient information, creating a centralised and easily accessible bank for healthcare providers. This creates an efficient and streamlined way of sharing data across departments, and simplifies communication between healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care.
More importantly however, they also reduce the risk of errors associated with handwritten notes, heightening patient care, safety, and security. EHRs contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of a patient’s medical history, medications, and allergies, leading to better-informed decision-making. This interoperability of information not only improves patient care but also enhances the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.
One of the key advantages of EHRs is improved accessibility in rural and underserved areas, since it provides a better infrastructure to securely share patient information across facilities, helping medical professionals to make faster and more accurate decisions regarding patient health. Moreover, they also play a key role in disease surveillance and public health management. It is a data-driven approach to healthcare that can streamline topics like disease outbreaks and trends.
EHRs and Telemedicine services work in tandem, one cannot function properly without the other. Through integrated systems, both healthcare providers and patients can access healthcare across the country, regardless of geographical boundaries. For healthcare providers it is a game changer to be able to practice medicine in rural and remote areas while reducing patient costs and improving patient outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Diagnostics and Treatment Planning
As technology improves and changes over time, we learn how to do things differently, and in many cases more efficiently. Each industry has their own improvements that come in the form of AI and tech, and medicine and wellness are no different. From running diagnostics and treatment planning, to offering unprecedented capabilities in data analysis and pattern recognition, AI is radically changing the way we approach medicine. For example, AI algorithms can sift through vast datasets to identify patterns that may not be immediately apparent to human observers. This is particularly valuable in medical imaging, where AI can assist in the early detection of diseases such as cancer through more accurate and timely diagnostics.
Additionally, personalisation of treatment plans is becoming increasingly important to patients. AI can recommend tailored interventions by analysing diverse sets of patient data, including genetic information, lifestyle factors, and treatment responses. This marks a significant shift towards precision medicine, where AI holds the promise of personalisation by optimising treatments and minimising adverse effects.
With the introduction of more innovative tools in healthcare, we can create awareness and have accurate diagnoses of diseases ahead of time. Like we say, prevention is better than cure, and AI helps us have a more preventive approach than a reactive one.
The digital revolution is completely disrupting and reshaping the way we interact within and outside the healthcare industry. It is changing the way these services are delivered, prioritising personalised patient care and making it more accessible and efficient. The four above points work in tandem to collectively transform the patient experience and empower people to take an active interest in their health at all times, not just when it is needed. As technology continues to advance, the healthcare landscape is poised for further evolution, promising a future where the delivery of healthcare is not only efficient but also more patient-centric and inclusive.
Dr. Narendra Vankar, CEO & Founder, Quantum CorpHealth
