How is digital technology transforming the face of healthcare?

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Image Source:  The Medical Futurist

Technology in the digital space is growing exponentially by the day. This digital disruption is certainly the most illustrious of its time and has brought major changes in almost all aspects of our lives. And this is significantly affecting the way we perceive and consume utilities.In such changing times, how can healthcare industry be left alone? Digital technology has brought about major changes leaving behind no aspect of the healthcare industry untouched with the online revolution.

When you take a glance at the healthcare industry in the current era and compare the same with the one around 10 years ago, the difference is quite obvious. From the innovation of the biosensors that are able to track heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, and other vital information to the high-end cloud-based apps that enable the healthcare service providers to cater a diverse range of online services –the digital avatar of the healthcare industry is engaging end user and empowering the patients to keep a record of their overall health and well-being like never before.

Here are some of the most significant innovative emerging technologies in the recent times that have been shaping the healthcare industry in an effective manner:

• The Advent of wearable devices: 

The globe is observing the rising trends of adorning wearable devices that come in a myriad of types and functionalities. Right from the wearable watches to shoes, wristbands, headbands, and even patches–the wearable devices are highly innovative technological applications that are playing a major role in the overall digital healthcare transformation. As per a recent research, it has been predicted that the overall market for the wearable medical devices will be worth around $41 billion by the time of 2020.

The new-generation wearable medical devices consist of specialized sensors that are able to gather raw, real data with respect to the overall health of an individual. This collected data is then transferred to some database or software application for further analysis. Though most of us are already aware of the high-end innovative wearable devices that are able to track the sleep quality, heart rate, steps, and the overall fitness level, the wearable devices have much more potential.

• The concept of virtual reality: 

The world of VR (Virtual Reality) is not simply meant for the gamers. VR is gradually making its entry into the field of premium digital healthcare. As such, the overall concept of Virtual Reality is rising up to become a game changer by reducing the operational costs and improving the level of care offered by the healthcare system. The most common and high-tech instance of the implementation of VR in the healthcare industry is with respect to the advent of the method of robotic surgery which is taking a whole new level in the field of virtual technology.

A robotic machine or device is able to perform various medical operations and major surgeries under the control or guidance by some human specialist or surgeon in some remote location. This results in saving a lot of valuable time and also minimizes the major risks or complications in the given medical condition. The concept of the VR technology in the healthcare industry is also beneficial from the education point of view. The utilization of the VR setups in medical classrooms allows students not only to imagine but also to actually feel like what it appears to be in an emergency room.

• Cloud computing applications: 

The movement of the healthcare industry and partners towards the implementation of highly productive, digital cloud computing solutions has fast-tracked the industry towards enhanced innovation. It has also allowed the healthcare specialists to offer high-end quality healthcare services to the end users. With the help of the cloud computing technology, the healthcare professionals are enabled to stack and get access to relevant data in a remote setting. This allows for accessing the important patient’s data from anywhere in the world almost instantly and effectively.

Moreover, the implementation of the effective cloud computing technology in the healthcare industry also calls for allowing the healthcare professionals towards saving valuable time, communicating productively using the method of remote conferencing, and getting round-the-clock updates with respect to the specific healthcare developments and the current patient conditions. Each of the given capabilities in the healthcare industry could play a major role towards saving a life. Cloud computing applications in the healthcare industry have also been used with respect to the scientific and medical research.

• telemedicine: 

The conventional ways of visiting healthcare centers for checkups were the only possible ways of diagnosing, treating or managing any given health condition. However, with the advent of the concept of Telemedicine in the healthcare industry, there have been significant transformations. Instead of taking a sick patient to a doctor’s office or a healthcare center, individuals can now talk over to the concerned healthcare specialist over the video chat or conference live. This concept comes especially useful in case of those patients who are living in remote areas and do not have proper access to a doctor nearby.

• Importance of big data: 

Data is playing an impactful role in every aspect of the current digital era. Even in the healthcare industry, data plays an important role towards determining the way how diseases are being treated. When the data with respect to the healthcare industry is gathered, the recent healthcare trends could be tracked along with the associated risk factors towards improving the current medical conditions. This technology also helps the healthcare professionals towards understanding the types of preventive measures that could be adopted in order to ensure the overall health and well-being of the patients.

Emerging technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and others are becoming a norm in the modern-age healthcare industry. With the rapid advancements taking place in the face of technological innovations in the healthcare industry, it is high time healthcare organizations and medical service providers should consider hiring developers to ensure impactful and prominent growth.