4 Technology Trends in Healthcare
Just fifty years ago, healthcare looked vastly different. Diagnostic imaging was limited, patient records were paper-based, and surgical techniques were less sophisticated. Over time, technology has made significant advancements — and we’re not just referring to our must-have gadgets like cell phones and cordless headphones.
In the medical field, technology has improved immensely, enabling many specialties within the healthcare industry to take great leaps into the future. Today, we’re exploring four key technology trends that have come to the forefront of healthcare and examining how they have propelled the industry forward, fostering evolution and innovation.
#1 Telemedicine
Many policies and practices have changed in healthcare since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. One of the most significant technological changes was the rapid implementation of telemedicine, which allowed patients to be seen virtually by providers from the comfort of their homes. During these virtual visits, patients could discuss their symptoms, and physicians could decide on the right course of action to improve their patients’ health.
Telemedicine was particularly helpful when COVID-19 cases were at their peak, and it has remained an integral part of the healthcare system in the years since, providing more people with access to healthcare, whether they live in remote locations or are unable to drive themselves to the doctor.
#2 Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems
In the 1970s, the first EHR systems were created to slowly transition from paper-based record-keeping to a more condensed, digitized format. In the years since its inception, EHRs have gone beyond being simply a digital version of a patient’s chart. The most advanced versions contain a wealth of pertinent information for patients, physicians and billing specialists alike, including:
- A patient’s medical history, diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, laboratory results and more.
- Evidence-based tools that help providers make decisions about the best form of patient care.
- Billing information for insurance companies.
One of the conveniences of EHR systems is their ability to facilitate effortless information sharing between physicians and specialists. EHRs consolidate all the information that healthcare professionals might need into one convenient, digital location.
#3 The Internet of Things and Wearable Devices
In a world where we’re increasingly connected to technology, the Internet of Things has made it easier than ever to collect, analyze and share health-related data. With smart devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches, you can easily track your physical activity, heart rate and sleep patterns to keep an eye on your health.
In addition, healthcare facilities utilize numerous devices that track your vitals and movements in real-time. With a combination of this data, you and your physicians can easily analyze information from different devices to gain a deeper insight into the status of your health.
#4 Robotics and Automation
Surgical robots are more than just props in your favorite medical dramas. They play a crucial role in modern surgery. Robotics enable surgeons to perform highly complex procedures with minimal incisions, benefiting patients by reducing recovery time, blood loss and post-operative discomfort.
Automation is another rising trend in healthcare, thanks to its ability to complete various tasks using technology and machines. Here are some examples:
- Scheduling patient appointments.
- Streamlining billing processes.
- Automating prescription dispensing.
- Sorting medications by dose.
- Transporting medications and lab specimens.
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Sources:
https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2452414X16000066
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356187/