The world is digitizing. The move towards an online lifestyle has never been more accessible. With wireless providers partnering with local governments to provide free or reduced internet access, hot spots and smartphone services, the ability to participate in the latest technology is the easiest it’s ever been (SafeLink, n.d.). And, this includes our healthcare system. Much of the advancements in healthcare have been driven by technology (Scherman, 2019).
Digital healthcare allows hospitals and clinical programs to manage staffing shortages, rising costs, impacted locations and environmental disruptions (West Monroe, 2022). Digital healthcare can include Electronic Health Records (EHR), wearable devices, and telehealth visits. Digital Healthcare gives patients immediate and consistent access to medical care and their providers even when transportation, illness or other environmental factors restrict mobility. Health systems will need to incorporate these technological advances into their programs so that they can offer the highest level of patient care.
EHR allows for the sharing of crucial information globally across organizations so that providers may make informed decisions based on a fuller view of the patient’s medical history (Scherman, 2019). EHR ensures patients have access to their providers via email or instant message. Treatment teams can use EHR to enter orders and referrals so that patients can receive timely medical care no matter their location (Dignity Health, n.d.).
Wearable devices, also called IoTs (Internet of Things), allow for remote patient monitoring (RPM) permitting health information to be shared in real time (Forgan, 2021). Examples of IoTs are heart and glucose monitors or CPAP machines (Forgan, 2021). IoTs can also be effective in monitoring equipment performance, such as alerting service providers when a certain machine’s function is failing (Solovyova, 2022). This type of monitoring saves lives, decreases error, and reduces costs (Solovyova, 2022).
Telehealth allows patients to consult with providers over the phone or through other digital methods, such as a laptop or tablet, lending to better access and less treatment disruption. The disabled, elderly and remotely located patients are granted continued access despite the many obstacles they may face to receiving timely services.
However, digital healthcare does bring up issues around privacy. Health organizations must put security measures in place to protect the sensitive and confidential information of its clients from breaches and misuse (Dignity Health, n.d.). Also, a patient and their surrounding community’s access to digital technology must be considered, as economic or infrastructure barriers may not allow for successful implementation of telehealth. Working with local governments and social service organizations will be crucial in ensuring that these innovations can be carried out effectively.
References:
Dignity Health. (n.d.) 9 examples of disruptive innovations in healthcare. Dignity Health GlobalEducation. http://dhge.org/about-us/blog/disruptive-innovation-healthcare-examples.
Forgan, Ben. (2021). How IoT is transforming healthcare. Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/03/31/how-iot-is-transforming-healthcare/?sh=676b9a6467e5
SafeLink. (n.d.). http://www.safelinkwireless.com/en/#!/newHome
Scherman, Jess. (2019). 5 ways technology in healthcare is transforming the way we approach medical treatment. Rasmussen University. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/blog/technology-in-healthcare-transformation/.
Solovyova, Vera. (2022). 3 examples of disruptive innovation in healthcare. Softeq. https://www.softeq.com/blog/disruptive-innovations-in-healthcare-use-cases-and-benefits
West Monroe. (2022). 2023 Outlook: The Future of the Healthcare Industry. West Monroe https:// http://www.westmonroe.com/perspectives/report/healthcare-outlook
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