Over the past decade, technology has revolutionized how we live our lives. It has made daily tasks easier and faster, and it has allowed us to do things once thought impossible.
Technology is now integral to most of our everyday activities. From searching for jobs online to watching Netflix in your underwear, technology has influenced the way that we behave and interact with each other.
It also plays an important role in the workplace. For example, companies have become reliant upon computer software and hardware to function effectively.
While there are many ways that technology can improve healthcare, one area that has seen some growth is the use of mobile devices and apps as tools.
Mobile health (mHealth) or smart phone-based medical treatments are becoming more common due to their affordability and ease of access. By having easy access to accurate information, you will be better equipped to help someone who needs it.
In this article, you’ll find out about five reasons why tech helps make healthcare better. You’ll also read some tips on how to apply these benefits to yourself or others.
Medical apps
Medical apps are software programs designed to help you or someone with a disease perform tasks related to your health. They can be used for diagnostic purposes, to track symptoms, monitor medications, find new treatments, and more.
There are many different types of medical apps, some free, some paid-for. It is best to do your research before using any app, especially given how personal healthcare information is targeted these days.
Some apps may also have additional fees for use, such as for premium features or diagnostics. As with all technology, there is no completely risk-free way to use it, so think about whether these tools are worth the cost.
Digital health records
The number of times that your medical record is accessed can be tracked online, making it more accessible to people who need to look up your past healthcare experiences or make decisions about you as a patient depending on what information they have access to.
It is important to note that although these apps may seem helpful at first, many do not require users to go through an extensive verification process before using their services.
Some users may even upload false or inaccurate data to prevent others from accessing the full version of your medical history!
Furthermore, some apps only offer limited features like appointment scheduling or medication reminder alerts, but no longer reading or analysis tools.
Health apps
Recent developments in medical technology have made it possible to monitor many body functions directly, without needing expensive equipment or visits to the doctor’s office. Technologies such as smart watches, skin sensors, blood pressure cuffs and other wearable devices can provide us with very detailed information about our overall health and help diagnose conditions early before they get worse.
In fact, some companies even offer you mobile applications that allow you to track your symptoms and send this data to an expert at a healthcare facility for review. This is called telemedicine and can save time and money for both parties involved!
By having access to all of this information, doctors will be able to make better diagnoses and treatments more quickly. They may also be able to suggest appropriate therapies or interventions to improve your quality of life — or even find new ways to address your current health issues.
Remote patient monitoring
A growing number of medical facilities now offer patients or caregivers mobile health (mHealth) applications that can help monitor your condition while you are at home. This is called remote patient monitoring, or RDM for short.
Some examples of this technology include apps that check blood pressure, weight, or glucose levels several times per day, track symptoms, send alerts when something goes out of routine, and even administer needed medications as directed.
This has huge benefits for both you and your doctor! By offering continuous surveillance, mHealth tools improve the quality of care by helping identify early warning signs of potential problems so they can be addressed sooner.
For example, research found that most people with diabetes don’t know if their blood sugar level is within target range until they get an alert about it.
By giving them earlier notice, doctors can begin treatment before poor control becomes more severe. Recent studies also show that self-monitoring of blood glucose aids in controlling blood sugars over time.
Medical lab tests
Medical testing is an integral part of most healthcare professionals’ practices. Physicians, nurses, dentists — even therapists like psychologists and social workers rely on medical labs to help diagnose patients’ conditions and determine appropriate treatments.
While some medical tests have been in use for decades, many others are now completely digital. Others can be done virtually via software or apps that generate the same results as traditional methods.
These new technologies improve the accuracy, speed, and/or convenience of diagnosis and treatment, which helps ensure better outcomes for your patient. They also reduce costs, since you no longer need special equipment and trained personnel to perform the test.
Medical experts agree that computerized tools can make health care more efficient. That’s why nearly every major hospital in America has invested in technology to enhance their services.
Doc to Doc
Since most people have smartphones with internet access, there are now many ways for your doctor to connect with other doctors and you as patients. This is called “doc-to-doc” communication or D2D for short.
By having direct connections with each other, physicians can share information more efficiently and effectively than via traditional means like phone calls or face-to-face meetings.
This way of communicating is especially helpful in the era of value-based healthcare (or health care that depends on how much it costs instead of what it delivers). As such, cost effectiveness becomes an important factor when determining who gets treated and by what method.
Another benefit of D2D communication is improved continuity of care. Because physicians can easily communicate without being hindered by time constraints, they do not need to schedule a meeting until later if no updates are needed at present.
