It goes without saying that technology has changed our lives dramatically. Healthcare is one of the areas where technology’s positive impact is most evident through improvements in diagnostic technologies, advances in medicine and surgical practices, better health records management, and many more. These advancements in health tech have greatly improved our quality of life and also increased our life expectancy.
One of the healthcare technologies that may change our approach to treatment is telehealth. With telehealth, patients can use digital communication and information technologies like computers and smart devices to access healthcare services in the comfort of their homes. Below are some ways in which health tech will help us monitor our health from home.
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Virtual Appointments
With modern telecommunication technologies like online videoconferencing, some clinics have started to adopt virtual patient appointments. You can see your doctor or nurse through a video call whenever there is no need for an in-person visit. In addition, patients can now get a diagnosis and prescription through web-based healthcare services. You are only required to answer some questions, and the doctor or nurse will prescribe medications or recommend a physical visit for more examination.
Remote Monitoring
Nowadays, various modern technologies can help individuals monitor their health at home and share the data with their healthcare providers. Simple mobile apps can help you upload information like your blood sugar levels to your health care provider’s system. Other such technologies include wearable devices that measure and transmit data such as heart rate, tremors, gait, physical activity, sleep patterns, and any additional information that can help doctors remotely monitor your health status. All these technologies are useful to people who may have difficulties visiting a healthcare professional or who may not have time to physically attend a hospital for medical checkups.
Better Doctor to Doctor Consultation
Modern communication technologies also allow doctors to easily communicate with other doctors whenever there is a need. Doctors can use virtual communication to get advice from a specialist whenever there are questions about a diagnosis. The doctor will send information such as the patient’s history, test results, and exam notes to the specialist for review, and the specialist will respond in real-time. Thanks to modern technology, you can enjoy the services of a foreign specialist in the comfort of your home. Such consultations also reduce wait times for face-to-face specialist meetings, thanks to the elimination of unnecessary referrals to specialists.
Personal Health Records
Nowadays, you can keep information about your health using an electronic personal health record system app. This is better than relying on the records maintained by your health care provider as you can visit any hospital, and the doctor will access your health records using any web-based device like a computer or smartphone. Additionally, personal health records can provide vital information like your drug allergies and your doctor’s contact information in case of an emergency.
Personal Health Apps
There are now hundreds of apps that can help users organize their health information and store them securely. These apps can help you improve your general well-being through features that allow you to observe your eating habits and track your physical activity. Other apps can help you improve your medication through features like recording your symptoms for better diagnosis and reminders for taking medicine.
Chronic Diseases Management at Home
Chronic diseases, which are common among the elderly, need regular checkups to monitor the effectiveness of drugs and the patient’s condition. Traditionally, most people relied on regular visits to the doctor or a doctor’s visit if they have mobility issues, but new solutions are gradually promoting remote healthcare.
For example, people with dementia can use modern technology for reminders and guidance in daily activities. A computerized device at home can use audio or video prompts to guide the elderly through activities like washing hands, thus eliminating the need for human assistance. You can also use a combination of monitoring devices to share your daily health status with your healthcare provider remotely.
Neha Nidhi
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