There’s a rapid increase in the role that technology plays in people’s lives. For instance, people now use the Internet in making new friends, getting in touch with old ones, attending to their financial affairs, and even buying new clothes.
However, it could be argued that of the different ways technology has improved human lives worldwide, the technological advances in medicine are the most important. Technology has made people healthier and increased their life expectancies, from the X-ray machine’s invention to advancements in surgical practices.
The healthcare technology was initially slowly evolving, but the subsequent lockdown because of the coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the adoption and adaptation of technology. But how does technology positively influence the way health practitioners deal with patients, particularly in keeping them healthy?
- Web-Based Healthcare Services
Many healthcare resources are now web-based. That means you can access them as long as you have an internet connection. For example, some psychologists prescribe web-based modules to patients suffering from autism or anxiety disorders. Bpsoftware.net also talked about how healthcare practitioners prescribe engaging exercise programs that patients can easily access via the world wide web.
People with depression, alcohol addiction, or even a chronic disease can also use online health resources. It can help them gather relevant information to cope with their problems or conditions.
- Virtual Consultations
For decades, healthcare has been associated with personal consultations. The problem is that the process obligates patients to visit the nearest hospital for treatment even if they don’t have the means to do so.
Now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people spend most of their time inside their homes’ four walls. The lockdowns and many other restrictions have made in-person consultations more difficult. So, what does an individual do if he needs to talk with a doctor?
Fortunately, remote healthcare has now become possible due to recent technological advancements, including the availability of telecommunication and video-calling tools and services. Telehealth allows health practitioners to deliver healthcare services to patients remotely.
- Real-Time, Secure, And Easy Access To Patient-Related Data
Healthcare professionals can now access appointments, treatments, diagnoses, medical history, and patient registrations in real-time, thanks to cloud computing solutions.
The exchange of information among the different parties involved in healthcare—such as doctors, healthcare scheme providers, and insurance companies—should be secure to deliver a satisfactory and holistic patient experience.
The traditional or the pen-and-paper data management method has inefficiencies. Cloud-based electronic document management systems can be a more stable solution. The records aren’t only updated in real-time but also appropriately secured since the storage and retrieval processes are cloud-based.
- Health Monitoring And Coaching Through Wearables
Chances are, you’ve already seen people wearing smart devices like Pebble, Fitbit, or the Apple Watch. You may even possess one. Most of these wearable technologies link to apps that healthcare professionals can use to monitor your health. Fitness coaches also utilize data from these wearables for their coaching modules.
Smart wearable devices can monitor your movement, heart rate for the whole day, and sleep, among other things. The collected data can provide health practitioners with insight into patient health and behavior, allowing them to give feedback and tips accurately to help people become even healthier.
- Prescription-Based Online Pharmacies
Many healthcare providers have also started to launch online stores dedicated to making prescription-based medications easily-available to people.
There’s actually a huge potential in this market because it’s more convenient for patients to receive their medication via a home delivery service.
It’s easy to get started with a prescription-based online pharmacy. Health practitioners only have to work with developers to set up an eCommerce site. Of course, they also have to coordinate with delivery service providers for streamlining home deliveries.
Final Thoughts
At present, what we see in terms of opportunities that telecommunication tools, websites, cloud-based technology, wearable devices, and eCommerce offer to healthcare professionals is maybe only the tip of the iceberg. A medical alert system (like the ones in these Bay Alarm medical reviews) can also put more safety in the home for patients with more serious and chronic conditions. In the coming years, healthcare’s digital transformation is expected to become even more prominent.