There was a time when we wouldn’t have believed that what seemed unimaginable to us could become our regular day-to-day activity. Nobody would have thought that one could connect with people living far away from them in a matter of time. But now, all this is possible, all thanks to advancements in technology. It is not limited to one sector, and now the technology has spread its wings in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, etc.
With that thought in mind, here in this blog, we will discover the impact of technology in the health care sector. But before jumping on that, let’s understand the need for digitization or technology in the healthcare sector.
Need For Digitization Or Technology
We have come a long way; now, medicine is not limited to treating the common cold and flu. With the help of technology, we have a cure for advanced diseases like cancer and other severe illnesses. Our health practitioners can make breakthroughs and discoveries because of technology only.
Technology has had a significant influence on the medical industry. Utilizing technology, the health sector can create discoveries about treatments, information gathering, symptom and illness research, cure study, and human helping gadgets. People can now receive medical care at their doorstep thanks to technological advancements. Medical and health professionals can effectively care for people and treat ailments with the assistance of technology.
Impact of Technology on the Healthcare Sector
Let’s dive deep into learning more about the impact of technology in the healthcare sector.
1. Electronic Medical Records– This is one of the greatest benefits of having technology in the health care sector. Now patients don’t have to wait in lines or maintain physical records to get treatment. Maintaining a physical record is challenging, but it also delays the care patients need. The introduction of electronic medical records has made the life of health practitioners and patients easy. One doesn’t need to worry about all the paperwork, all the information of patients must be maintained online, and doctors can access it anytime without any difficulty. Electronic medical records provide clear insights into the patient’s condition, leading to a better treatment plan. Further, it leads to better communication between other medical authorities, reducing the chances of negligence.
2. Improved Patient Care – Another benefit of having technology in the healthcare sector is better patient care. The use of augmented reality helps surgeons perform surgeries more efficiently. This creates confidence among patients about the procedure. Further, virtual reality focuses on the overall well-being of the patient. Besides this, patients can get service at their doorstep using the technology. All of this has made the life of patients easier. Now patients are not skeptical about getting medical treatment as they know all these technologies are available to provide better care.
3. Point of Care – Gone is when a thirsty must go to the well in need of water; technology has made everything convenient for patients. One can get the point of care without paying a visit to the hospital. All the paperwork has been shifted online, which means both patients and health practitioners can quickly access each other using mobile technologies. In case of an emergency, all a patient has to do is give his doctor a ring, and the doctor will suggest the immediate action one should take. Not just this, with the use of technology, doctors can prescribe medicine to their patients even if they are living in another town. It is valuable for both patients and providers. Providers electronically transmit prescriptions to pharmacies from their smartphones or desktop. The drug is usually available for pickup when the person comes to the drugstore.
4. Medical Apps – Nobody would have thought there would come a day when one doesn’t have to visit the doctor or hospital to get the care. There is a surplus of medical applications available, all thanks to advancements in technologies. This application inspires patients to keep track of their illness and condition and helps them to acquire health data, view lab tests, and be reminded whenever appropriate for them to go for a check-up. Furthermore, healthcare applications allow healthcare personnel to swiftly examine test results, medicine dose suggestions, and other critical information.
5. Better Communication – Long gone days when health practitioners used to rely on pager and beepers to communicate. These devices were helpful, but they somehow restricted healthcare providers from giving their best. But the implementation of all these devices like tablets, mobile phones, etc., has improved the line of communication between patients and doctors. Now doctors can stay in touch with their patients using email, applications, calls, and messages. Not just this, patients also don’t need to keep track of their appointments and visit calls. There are scheduling applications that do their job very well.
Challenges Associated With the Use of Technology in the Healthcare Sector
All that glitter is not gold; there are some challenges that both patients and doctors face with the adoption of technology in the healthcare sector. Some of them are listed below:
- The first challenge associated with technology is the inability to use them as effectively as possible. Not everybody likes technology. Some of us believe in old-school habits, and for all such non-tech savvy people, these gadgets can become a huge headache. Most patients don’t understand the high-tech interface, which delays the procedure.
- The second challenge is money. This technical stuff costs tons of money and those capable of adopting it can only take advantage of it.
- Further, there comes another threat of cyber attack and theft. With all the information over the server, there has been this risk of losing patient data to some unauthorized authority. However, tech-savvy people are trying to make all devices as secure as possible to prevent unethical activities.
Conclusion
That’s all! There is no denying that technology has taken the healthcare sector to another level. Because of technology, it is now possible that a person can get the attention and care they need, even in remote areas. Healthcare is one of the pillars of every developed or developing nation, so you no longer can afford to set back and rely on old approaches if you want to grow.
