On April 7 each year, World Health Day is observed to honour the exceptional achievements of the healthcare industry. The theme for World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. This theme raises global awareness towards the wellness of our planet and its inhabitants. It reminds us of the vital link between human health and the environment, and encourages us to prioritise their protection.
The healthcare industry has been benefiting from medical technology for several decades, which has resulted in remarkable progress in delivering new and innovative healthcare solutions. Digital technology has played a significant role in revolutionising the sector by transforming the approach practitioners take in providing treatment and broadening the range of available treatments. This has been made possible by the advancements in networking and computing systems, which have facilitated healthcare professionals in accessing extensive data and collaborating with their colleagues efficiently.
With the passage of time, there has been a significant rise in the need for healthcare software development. As per the research done by McKinsey, the implementation of technology-based healthcare advancements is likely to generate a value ranging between $350 billion and $410 billion by 2025.
Below mentioned are five ways in which developers of software are revolutionising the healthcare industry.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
(No changes made)Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a cutting-edge approach to providing healthcare services that utilises technology to monitor patient health in non-conventional clinical settings. RPM forms a crucial part of the telemedicine industry and involves the use of sophisticated technology to allow the electronic exchange of data between patients and healthcare professionals. This innovative healthcare delivery approach not only enhances the quality of patient care but also helps in reducing costs.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) has several benefits like better patient outcomes, faster response times and significant cost savings. The use of RPM and telemedicine technologies minimises the need for patients to travel and be exposed to potential risks.
With respect to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, amendments have been made to the Medicare legislation to include different forms of remote patient monitoring(RPM) in its scope. This has piqued the interest of healthcare professionals in this innovative form of treatment, and according to Insider Intelligence, it is expected that by the year 2025, 70.6 million patients in the United States, a quarter of the total population, will be using RPM technology.
According to a recent report from Spyglass Consulting Group, the popularity of remote patient monitoring (RPM) is on the rise with almost 88% of healthcare professionals having either already incorporated RPM technology into their practice or in the process of doing so.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: World Health Day
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining significance in modern healthcare. With the help of specialized algorithms and programmes that simulate human cognition, developers can produce systems that can analyse, learn, make decisions and take actions. The potential of AI in the healthcare sector is enormous and can bring about a massive revolution in the way healthcare services are provided.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine does not mean that autonomous robots will be administering medical care. Rather, it implies that physicians can make use of AI to recommend advice on diagnosis, drugs, and treatment plans based on a patient’s medical history, past records and present symptoms.
This all-encompassing analysis of healthcare data is highly beneficial for healthcare executives in general. To know more about data analysis, you can check out our detailed guide on Data Mesh and its Distributed Data Architecture.
Digital Therapeutics
Patients suffering from long-term illnesses may need regular medical attention, which can include patient education, symptom monitoring, changes in medication and proactive behavioural changes. This healthcare is crucial to make certain that such patients receive the best possible treatment to manage their chronic conditions.
To manage a particular medical condition, a physician might suggest digital medication that can be accessed through a patient’s mobile phone or personal computer. For example, digital medication can be very effective in treating conditions such as diabetes, cancer, anxiety, musculoskeletal pain, ADHD, asthma, migraines, and insomnia.
These applications allow physicians to access crucial health-related data about their patients, enabling them to monitor their patients’ health without the need for frequent in-person visits. This can aid in the earlier identification of potential issues, although it should be noted that such care comes at a cost, and there may be a period of adjustment required for both medical professionals and patients as they adapt to digital treatments and therapies.
Psychological Health and Technology
Recent technological innovations have opened up the possibility of reducing long-term mental health issues. Even though a doctor’s expertise is still needed for traditional assessments and treatments, patients are now able to benefit from new services that can help them to maintain and enhance their psychological well-being in between appointments.
Digital medications can potentially offer superior and continuous mental health care. In certain instances, patients can go through an initial diagnostic and intake process without ever meeting an in-person practitioner. This can be an affordable and convenient way of obtaining quality healthcare.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a prevalent counselling method that can be administered either in-person or virtually. It has been widely adopted in digital therapeutic interventions and has a proven track record in facilitating behavioural modifications for patients.
The first video game designed to manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged eight to twelve, EndeavorRX, has been granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After just one month of therapy, 73% of the participants reported improved focus without any undesirable side effects. This demonstrates the potential of video gaming as an up-and-coming technology in enhancing psychological wellness. To know more on how video game development teams get employed at gaming studios, read our blog post here.
The Internet of Things and World Health Day
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a constantly expanding network that links physical objects to the internet. This emerging technology network in the healthcare industry is continually advancing, with present developments encompassing remote patient monitoring, 5G-capable devices, and wearable sensors. Currently, there are oover half a million internet-connected medical devices constituting this network, functioning in collaboration to provide complete and current patient information.
With the constant progress of technology and software, smart medical devices will soon be able to connect with other neighbouring intelligent devices, leading to improved patient results. The integration of such technologies could eventually allow doctors to have a more extensive and holistic understanding of their patients’ health.
According to a recent study, a Fitbit was found to be more accurate than conventional methods in assessing physical activity and predicting a five-year risk of mortality. This discovery has the potential to significantly enhance our comprehension of physical health and wellness, as well as provide more precise health metrics to healthcare professionals.
Our Wellness, Our Environment: World Health Day
For healthcare professionals seeking to improve their performance, reduce expenses, and increase operational efficiency, technology solutions can prove to be indispensable. By utilizing automation, simplifying workflows, and optimizing procedures, businesses can scale up effectively to cope with the escalating demand for their services. This can be done in a manner that humans wouldn’t be able to match, leading to increased productivity and cost-effectiveness.
In response to the shift towards value-based healthcare reimbursement models, hospitals and healthcare systems can leverage software development solutions to enable healthcare staff to improve patient care, create more satisfying experiences for patients, and prevent burnout among healthcare professionals. By utilizing such solutions, health systems can ensure that they are able to provide the highest level of care while safeguarding the well-being of their staff.
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