Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. However, to improve, the focus must shift from treating the illness to treating the patient. Health is an essential requirement for a happy life. It is the leading cause of disease and premature death and will continue to be the number one concern for the elderly. The elderly are less mobile; hence the risk of being dependent on others increases. Import and export services for digital healthcare products and technologies can play a vital role in improving healthcare access and affordability globally. As the population ages, the burden on carers will increase substantially. Speaking about healthcare, we all will agree that it is crucial. It is the backbone of our lives and the most basic form of insurance.
Healthcare is a critical topic for all of us. It’s also something that has been on many people’s minds. And as you may know, there has been a massive transformation in healthcare over the last few decades.
This article will discuss the digitalization of healthcare and the benefits and drawbacks associated with digitalization. So let’s jump right in!
What is Digital Transformation in Healthcare?
Digital transformation in healthcare involves using a digital platform to transform how healthcare is provided and used. This transformation typically consists of using data science and analytics to improve quality, lower costs, and increase healthcare value for patients, physicians, and payers.
The subject of digital transformation in healthcare is an increasingly important one for both providers and patients. Industry experts agree that digital healthcare transformation is as much about people as technology and innovation. AI and machine learning are transforming healthcare by enabling personalized care, automating tasks, and improving medical research and development. Yet, it has become increasingly challenging to identify the best practices related to digital healthcare transformation, and many of the best practices involve information technology.
The digital transformation in healthcare is a massive, complex, and strategic undertaking and it’s only just begun. But a deeper dive into digital transformation reveals that it is, in fact, the most crucial opportunity to improve quality and safety for everyone in healthcare. It’s also an opportunity to transform the role of technology in healthcare, improving access to quality, affordable healthcare and helping us all live healthier and improve our quality of life.
By 2020, almost half of the world’s data was in the form of IoT data. This means that healthcare will live heavily in the cloud in the future, and data in the cloud will replace data in the physical world.
The benefits of Digital Transformation
Improved Data Management
Healthcare digital transformation improves data management, which is vital to enhancing quality, lowering costs, and expanding access to healthcare.
Healthcare organizations have a wealth of data, but it often is challenging to access and analyze. Using data to identify trends and patterns that can be acted upon is the key to digital transformation in healthcare. By using data to identify patterns, healthcare organizations can take action to improve the quality and safety of care for their patients.
This can improve the health outcomes for individual patients and the organization’s efficiency as a whole.
Instant Help for Patients
Patients are using chatbots to get help online and in real life, saving them time by answering questions that previously they would have needed to schedule an appointment with their doctor or go to the emergency room.
Instead of getting an appointment and waiting in lines, patients can quickly connect to their physician across social channels and specialized apps and ask healthcare-related questions.
Reduced Costs
Digital innovation in healthcare cuts expenses for both hospitals and patients in the long term. By 2022, the estimated economic savings from digital health technology and services will increase to $14 billion annually and include additional administrative costs, productivity gains, and the creation of new jobs.
Top 5 Digital Transformation in Healthcare
Today’s healthcare technologies are revolutionizing the way healthcare professionals practice medicine. These innovations are changing the way patients interact with their physicians and improving the experience for patients and caregivers.
Health Wearables
In the past, people were content to go for a health checkup once a year for a severe issue and only get to meet with a doctor when something went wrong.
But today, Wearable technology is enabling patients and caregivers to track their health and wellness daily and share that data with their physicians across different channels and platforms. Healthcare providers use wearables to improve patient engagement and satisfaction, reduce variations in care and facilitate adherence to treatment regimens.
They improve patient engagement by providing real-time feedback on a patient’s health and fitness. Wearables with biometric sensors, such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters, transform how healthcare professionals monitor and treat patients.
These devices can be used by patients with chronic conditions or recovering from surgery to check their vitals and receive updates.
Some of the most common examples of these are:-
- Exercise trackers
- Fitness bands
- Oximeters
Patient Portals
Patient portals are essentially online platforms that allow patients to access their health records and communicate with their healthcare provider, all online.
These are websites that patients use to connect with their healthcare providers. Patient portals also provide tools for patients to keep track of their health information and stay up to date with their treatment plans. There are many different patient portals, but they all have some standard features. They have a variety of functions to help caregivers better understand their patients’ needs and provide a platform for caregivers to provide care. This includes tools for caregivers to provide care, such as scheduling a visit, and tools for patients to give feedback on their care, such as a comment box to share their experience with their care.
Functions of a patient portal
- Communicate with the healthcare provider
- Access and manage their health records
- Communicate with other patients and caregivers
- Obtain prescription refill information
- Obtain appointment reminders
- Keeps track of their health information and goals
- Report a concern or suggestion for improvement
Other functions are customized to the needs of the patient and the provider.
Telehealth
Telehealth uses technology to enable communication between a patient and their healthcare provider at a distance. This may include video, phone, or computer-mediated communication. Telehealth is often used for remote patient care, such as providing video visits with a healthcare provider. It is also being used for in-person care, such as giving a patient a phone consultation with a healthcare professional.
It is most commonly used to provide remote healthcare services, such as face-to-face consultations with physicians, or healthcare services, such as lab tests or prescription refills. However, telehealth is also being used to provide remote healthcare education, such as education on managing chronic conditions, and remote healthcare services, such as surgery or physical therapy. The use of telehealth can improve healthcare outcomes, reduce costs, and increase patient and caregiver satisfaction.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality uses computer technology to simulate a real or imagined environment or situation, such as a flat-screen television or a video game. In healthcare, virtual reality creates interactive training environments and simulations to help individuals learn new skills. It can also help patients and caregivers reduce anxiety during a procedure or treatment. VR is also being used to treat phobias, reduce pain, and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. VR is being used to help patients recover from surgery and to help them overcome psychological conditions, such as depression.
Clinicians employ VR technology to fine-tune their skills when operating new medical equipment and to perform complex surgeries. It also allows them to play out different scenarios and improve their soft skills. VR will enable patients to experience their treatments in a safe and controlled environment, making them more comfortable with the procedures and helping them prepare for what to expect.
AI Screening
AI (artificial intelligence) has been used in healthcare for years to improve the efficiency of processes and the quality of care. It has been used in healthcare to help clinicians make better decisions, such as in the field of screening, and to increase the effectiveness of healthcare delivery, such as in health care delivery. AI in medical imaging is accelerating the digital transformation of healthcare by providing faster, more accurate, and more personalized diagnoses. This can be used to identify patients who are likely to develop certain conditions or symptoms, such as a patient who is expected to have a heart attack or a patient who is expected to have a blood clot. This is being used to improve the quality of care and improve the safety of patients.
It is also being used to detect early signs of disease, such as heart disease, by analyzing scans or blood tests. It is also being used to detect the progression of the disease such as breast cancer by analyzing scans or blood tests. This can help clinicians make better decisions when treating patients.
Conclusion
Healthcare has changed a lot over the years, and technology has significantly impacted the healthcare system. The healthcare system we have today is vastly different from the healthcare system of the past. The advances in technology have changed the way we deliver healthcare and have greatly improved the quality of care. The use of technology has also impacted the way healthcare is delivered and has the potential to improve the quality of care even further. The use of technology can enhance the efficiency of healthcare processes and the quality of care by helping clinicians make better decisions and increase the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
Author’s Bio:
Tanisha is a blogger and journalism student and writes on technology and health related topics. She has good experience across technology, consulting and marketing. She has written for Online Lab Tests – LivLong Protection & Wellness Solutions Limited.
