The Contribution of Technology to Healthcare

It is clear that technological innovations have increased the efficiency of healthcare systems when one compares the mortality rate in the nineteenth century to that of the 21st century.

From digital evolution to procedural progress, every innovation has brought man closer to the longevity he deems immortality. It is needless to say that our technological era has resulted in increased success in the medical field, paving the road for pioneers.

1.   Healthcare Information Systems and Precise Diagnostics

Digital Advancements have enabled medical professionals to record real-time patient data which includes details such as blood tests and CT scans. They can also access the maintained medical history of patients on smart-phones which makes patient care and treatment safer as well as more effective.

Furthermore, data organization has helped many medical professionals gain easier access to information, therefore, providing precise diagnostics which reduce the frequency of ADEs (Adverse Drug Events) and Medication Errors, exemplified by its application by the World Health Organization as well.

2.   Qualitative Improvement and Easy Access to Experts

While most traditionalists believe in the traditional patient visits, this era has given rise to strict and busy schedules, fueling the demand for telehealthcare. With over 60% of millennials supporting digitized consultation, it has not only been proved to be time-efficient but also qualitatively equivalent, if not better. In fact, the rapid communication between medical professionals makes it easier to consult many of them in a shorter period of time, proving to save time as well as receive a certain diagnosis. This rapid communication has been initiated by tele-medical progress that not only makes consultation easier but also cost-efficient.

3.   Co-operation and Distance Management

Technological advancements in the fields of both telemedicine and healthcare informatics have helped doctors communicate with each other in an easier manner. Presently, there are various strains of bacteria as well as many mutated viruses which continue to develop and advance. In such an environment, speedy consultation with experts is extremely important for both medical professionals as well as patients. Another issue solved by telemedicine and technology is one of the limitations of distance. It is often seen that a medical specialist is often unavailable for consultation or is located very far. However, with technological advancements in telehealthcare systems, one is able to contact and consult a specialist via text, audio and video, thus acquiring experienced consult in a short time regardless of distance.

In fact, it has been statistically proved that telemedicine has also played a role in reducing re-admissions for heart-failure and other illnesses by about 51%

4.   Access to Medical Technology

Distance is a contributing factor when it comes to access to medical equipment. Apart from sharing simple patient-related data such as blood test results and medical prescriptions to medical experts, there also comes a time when more graphically complex documents such as CT Scans and X-rays are to be shared.

At this point, video calls may not prove efficacious while images sent via text have been improved to maintain clarity for easy sharing. Technologists continuously improve these systems especially that of Advanced Imaging Technology, the use of which has tripled over this decade.

5.   Economic Gain and Cost-Efficient Expenditure

Online communication with doctors and medical professionals not only proves beneficial for patients but also for doctors, both financially and conveniently. It is needless to say that while working through an organization, your rights and privileges which include the consultant’s discretion is secured by the aforementioned organization, making it safe as well.

In this day and age, the saying ‘Time is Money’ is irrefutable; whether it be with respect to business or with respect someone’s life. If online communication and telemedicine can improve healthcare systems while conserving time and being cost-efficient, then there is absolutely reason enough to see a future with it.

6.   Futuristic Medicine

The innumerable possibilities of a better future with telemedicine can be explained with a simple analogy between 18th Century medicine and the Medicinal Advancements of the 21st Century. Cholera, considered fatal back then can now be cured with the right diagnosis and proper medication accompanied with a more comprehensive understanding of its working. With the Global telemedicine technologies market valued at $17.8 billion and estimated to grow at an 18.4% rate, it is certain that developments and breakthroughs will not only save many lives but could also lead to cures for many currently-deemed fatal illnesses.

In conclusion, technological advancements have impacted the healthcare systems immensely and in many ways; one of the most important being through the dawn of telemedicine and healthcare informatics. Organizations have also worked to make such access easier to the public by ensuring simplified provision of such services on a single platform or forum.

The major issue to overcome is that of accessibility, acceptability and affordability on the part of the businesses, although still there is a long way to go but til now it has been handled fairly well due to its effectiveness and even though a few believe in traditional approaches, telemedicine aims to please a widespread demographic often succeeding in its objective.