Technology has changed our daily lives in many ways. It has helped us to be more connected with friends and family, added to entertainment, and made it simpler to keep track of our hectic schedules. However, technology is most likely to alter healthcare as an industry more than any other. Not only is it likely to increase lifespans, but it is also likely to make lives more enjoyable, as well.
One of the major discoveries over the past few years is how DNA can be altered in order to help patients in need. Genetic structure is one of the most-studied aspects of medicine, and might eventually lead to an answer of how diseases are passed from generation to generation. New experiments have led to developing ways of catching genetic deficiencies in the womb, and could even be the answer to finding a solution to immortality.
New technological innovations also have changed the relationship between patients and their doctors. Visits to a medical professional can often be brief and those who need care can often find themselves wishing for more attention. Constant connectivity has changed the process of making an appointment and when it is possible to see a doctor for certain conditions.
“An alternative emerging at healthcare institutions worldwide is human-centered design and co-creation, a set of approaches that can accelerate and humanize healthcare innovation. This model isn’t just about getting greater patient feedback during the innovation process. Patients are co-designers, co-developers, and increasingly more responsible for their collective health outcomes,” Kate Harrison quotes a Harvard study for Forbes.
Overall, this means that patients have more of a say in the quality of their care and what options might work best for them. This can be especially true for those looking for quality insurance options that might not immediately be apparent. As insurance becomes an issue for many Americans, the opportunity to be educated on which plans are available can be incredibly useful. Sites like iSelect have made the process much easier and have helped those who would not know where to start when looking for quality insurance.
Not only does more knowledge about insurance help the consumer, but it can also help reduce the costs for hospitals and private providers. Plenty of medical professionals have trouble understanding the current system, but technology could provide a solution by decreasing concierge costs and helping patients find the right insurance options rather than having them guess.
Hospitals are not the only ones who are likely to benefit from new tech. Home care has increased rapidly with an aging population, and new innovations have made it possible to extend lifespans and provide a better quality of life for the elderly. As the population of older people increases, home care has become an essential part of keeping this demographic happy and healthy.
“[A]dvancements in medical technology are also impacting the quality of life people experience as they age. By helping people age in place rather than at a hospital or in nursing care, these breakthroughs are improving our ability to remain healthy into our elderly years,” writes Anna Johansson for the Huffington Post.
Wearable devices have made it simple for patients to track basic functions such as their heart rates, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and more. These devices can also warn doctors through an internet connection whether a patient is showing any signs of distress or can automatically call an ambulance if necessary. Doctors are now also encouraging patients at home to contact them through video chat or through text messaging—especially after the recovery of a surgery or serious ailment.
This also creates more personalization, and can help patients recover faster or live more fulfilling lives when they have care that works for them. While it is unlikely that traditional doctor visits will go away anytime soon, it can give patients from rural areas or those unable to physically go to a medical office an opportunity for care. The increase in technology can make it easier for doctors to be more accurate in their diagnoses for individual patients, as well.
Many worry that medical professionals might come to rely on advancements in technology a little too much, and that it is possible to lose the humanized and personal touch that a doctor can add. Also, automated diagnostic tools are not necessarily more accurate than an actual human, and data-driven decisions might not always be the best when it comes to individualized care.
However, experts agree that if these new innovations can be implemented as tools and not the answer to medical issues, then the medical industry can seek to provide better care for patients. It seems as though technology is likely to become more and more integrated into our lives, and it will be up to doctors and other medical professionals to determine how it can be used positively.