Digital Technology and The Future of Health Systems

Technology advancements are having a profound effect on the healthcare industry. They alter the balance of power between healthcare institutions and patients, offering new approaches and care models. Above all, they enable client-centered and personalized healthcare.

Here are a few examples of how digital technologies benefit health systems.

Smart Wearable Devices

The popularity of smart, wearable devices is growing at an astounding pace. According to Statista, the number of connected wearables has more than doubled over the past few years. In 2019, there were 722 million wearable devices. By 2022, this number is forecast to reach more than one billion.

Now, apart from facilitating many aspects of our everyday lives, wearable technologies also play a crucial role in healthcare. They are particularly important in the era of telemedicine when healthcare professionals need to monitor patients 24/7. 

With technology solutions, such as sweat meters, step sensors, and pulse oximeters, doctors can gain insights into their patients’ health. They can identify certain patterns and prescribe more effective therapies. That is why the wearable medical device market will reach $27 million by 2023.

AI-Powered Chatbots

Digital healthcare tools have gained momentum over the past few years. According to a survey, nearly 50% of people say they have used digital technologies with their healthcare providers. They rely on electronic health management systems, email, and text messages. With the rise of the cloud and digital technologies, healthcare will be more decentralized and user-friendly. 

One of the latest technologies that have been transforming the industry is AI chatbots. Use cases of chatbots in healthcare are multiple.

Healthcare providers can use informative chatbots to offer real-time and relevant tips and data. Nutritionists, for instance, can use chatbots to provide healthy recipes, suggest healthy breakfast ideas, or help users calculate their BMIs. 

Prescriptive chatbots offer actionable insights and tips to help patients treat themselves when it is possible.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the need for AI and conversational technologies has grown. The public needs fast and reliable tips and information. With chatbots, healthcare organizations can simplify their teams’ efficiency. AI can triage patients and respond to repetitive questions, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on more challenging aspects of their jobs.

Online Training and Education

Technology has revolutionized healthcare education. For starters, with MOOCs and cloud-based learning platforms, students are not limited to medical schools in their vicinity. They can choose universities from all across the globe. Online education is more flexible and accessible, allowing healthcare students to focus on training programs and curricula relevant to them.

New technologies also improve healthcare certification and recertification. Many healthcare educators offer flexible training programs, both in-person and online. Healthcare professionals can adapt training to their busy schedules and perform their best. AZ ACLS, which offers PALS certification Phoenix, automatically notifies users when their certification is due to expire.

Virtual Reality Tools

From gaming to education, virtual reality has penetrated various aspects of our lives. Healthcare is no exception. 

Professionals in healthcare can use virtual reality in multiple ways.

For starters, it plays a fundamental role in student education. With a tiny VR gadget, teachers can transform classrooms into top-notch operating theaters. With these technologies, students can prepare for real-life situations, such as surgeries or treating rare diseases. They can also walk in their patients’ shoes and understand how suffering for different illnesses feels like.

Blockchain Technologies

With the rise of the cloud and internet-based healthcare services, cybersecurity threats have grown. Namely, healthcare organizations keep sensitive patient data, including their health records, personally identifiable data, and financial information, on their servers. As such, they become targets to many online hackers. According to research studies, data breaches cost the healthcare sector $6.5 billion annually.

Given the sensitivity of data they store, healthcare providers also need to comply with HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). That act sets the standard for sensitive patient data protection.

Blockchain plays a vital role in patient data security. These technologies use decentralization and encryption, ensuring that patient data is highly transparent and unalterable. Therefore, it is not surprising that a growing number of healthcare providers are investing in blockchain technologies. According to stats, blockchain in healthcare will reach $890.5 million by 2023.

Digital Technologies are the Nerve Center of Healthcare

From to telemedicine to wearable devices and AI technologies, technology has revolutionized healthcare. 

These are just some relevant corners for the healthcare sector currently undergoing a massive digital transformation.

Any thoughts on the impact of digital technologies on health systems?

Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.