Medical technology is continuing to change the way people receive healthcare and doctors diagnose, treat, and monitor their patient’s diseases via the use of advanced technologies. Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other new innovations are all ways in which technology is creating more efficient, safe, and accessible medical services than ever before.
The use of technology will continue to be a major part of healthcare in the future as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers have adopted new technologies to provide better patient care while lowering expenses. This article will examine the advancements in Medical Technology, including the impact of technology on healthcare delivery and patient care, cutting-edge innovations, advantages and disadvantages of technological advancements in hospitals, and, finally, what lies ahead with respect to the use of Medical Technology.
1.Defining Medical Technology
Medical Technology is simply defined as the use of electronic and/or digital tools, software applications (APPS), medical devices, and/or communication systems to enhance the delivery of medical care. When used appropriately, Medical Technology can provide physicians with more advanced tools to make better decisions; provide patients with easier access to their healthcare; and provide hospitals with the ability to deliver healthcare services in a more efficient manner.
Some examples of Medical Technology include:
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
- Telehealth
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Wearable Health/Medical Devices
- Robotic Surgery
- Mobile Applications
- Cloud-based Healthcare Systems
By connecting patients with some of the fastest-growing and most innovative medical technologies, Medical Technology is creating a more patient-centered, patient-driven healthcare delivery system.
Advantages of Healthcare Technology
2.Enhanced Healthcare Quality
A substantial benefit of Technology in Healthcare is enhanced quality. The ability to acquire precise patient data in a timely manner results in improved healthcare diagnosis and treatment.
Some benefits include:
- Quicker medical determinations
- Tailored treatment
- Improved doctor communication
- Fewer medical inaccuracies
The result is improved patient care that is delivered without delays.
3.Better Access to Care with Telehealth
Through telehealth, patients can meet with their physicians either by phone, video or internet-based chat.
Some advantages of Telehealth are:
- Virtual doctor visits
- Fewer travel times for the patient
- Increased patient access to care for residents outside urban areas
- Faster follow-up appointments for the patient
As telehealth becomes more commonplace, it has become an integral part of contemporary healthcare delivery, thus providing assistance to patients who are either disabled or live far from a medical facility.
4. Electronic Health Record Keeping(EHR)
EHRs are electronic records (not paper)which contain all of a patient’s information about their health.
Benefits of keeping records electronically include:
- Ability to obtain instant access to medical history
- Coordination of care improved (between Providers)
- Reduces paperwork
- Increased patient safety
When reviewing medications, allergies tests, and treatments physicians can take a look quickly.
5.(AI in Health Care)
Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most important advancements made through the use of Technology in Health Care.
6.AI assists Health Care Providers by:
Detecting disease earlier; analyzing images from MRIs and CT scans, predicting future adverse health events; assisting the physician with making clinical decisions; and automating administrative tasks.
As an example, AI is able to identify cancerous masses in a record time frame and with greater accuracy which allows the physician to initiate treatment at an earlier time frame.
7.Wearable Health Technologies)
Monitoring one’s health can now be done electronically using a variety of different wearable technologies.
Individuals often wear smart watches, fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, glucose (sugar) testers, and other such devices.
8.The above listed devices can provide data reports on:
Heart rate; total amount of physical activity (exercise done); quality of sleep); amount of oxygen in the blood; systolic and diastolic blood pressures (may depend on whether you are using a combination of devices).
Evidence collected using these devices can also help both the patient and their doctor identify and prevent serious illnesses before developing into medical emergencies.
9.Mobile Health Applications
Mobile health apps allow users to manage their health through smartphones and tablets.
They offer a number of features, including:
- Scheduling appointments
- Reminding patients of medications taken
- Tracking fitness
- Monitoring nutrition
- Providing mental health support
- Encouraging virtual consultations with doctors
Mobile Health Apps are used to help encourage healthy lifestyles as well as keep patients connected to their healthcare provider.
10.Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex surgeries with more accuracy than traditional surgeries.
The benefits of robotic-assisted surgery are as follows:
- Less blood loss
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
- Lower risk of complications
Robotic-assisted surgeries are increasingly performed in the following specialty areas: Urology, Cardiology, and Orthopedics.
11Cloud Computing in Healthcare
Cloud technology enables healthcare organizations to store and manage patient data more securely than ever before.
The advantages of using cloud technology in healthcare organizations include:
- Storing data more securely
- Easier to share hospital records with other hospitals
- Quicker access to patient records
- Better disaster recovery
- Lower cost to implement cloud infrastructure
Providers also use cloud-based systems for remote collaboration with other healthcare providers.
The IoMT is an interconnected set of medical devices, facilitating internet-enabled connectivity among them.
Examples:
- Smart insulin pumps
- Connected heart monitors
- Remote blood pressure monitors
- Smart inhalers
Through these devices, patient data is continuously transmitted and communicated to the healthcare provider, allowing for timely acts of care when a patient is in need of emergency assistance.
12.Challenges Associated with Technology in Healthcare
While there are undeniable benefits of employing technology in healthcare, there are many challenges to address when using it.
Data Security and Privacy
Cyber threats continue to create obstacles for those in the healthcare sector when it comes to protecting sensitive patient information.
Main points of concern:
- Data breaches
- Identity theft
- Ransomware attacks
The importance of having robust security measures in place cannot be emphasized enough.
High Cost of Implementation
When a healthcare organization invests in advanced technology; the amount of capital required is often substantial; thus, smaller healthcare providers may be unable to afford it.
Many times, an organization will need to invest in:
- Hardware
- Software
- Training Employees
- Performing Maintenance
Staff Training
To utilize new technologies effectively, healthcare professionals must receive continual and regular education related to use and implementation. When an employee does not understand new technology, it will be of little or no benefit to the organization.
The Impact Of Technology On The Future Of Healthcare
The future of technology in healthcare is bright.
The development of new technologies changes many aspects within the industry. The future of health care has numerous emerging technologies such as;
- Artificial Intelligence
- Personalized Medicine
- Predictive Analytic and Analytics
- Virtual Reality Therapy
- Augmented Reality Surgery
- Advanced Robotic Systems
- USA/WORLD 5G Remote Healthcare
- Blockchain for secure medical records.
Future of Healthcare : Future Improvements to Quality and Accessibility
Healthcare roles will utilize technology advancements to provide better, more personalized patient care as well as grow revenue via efficiencies and cost reductions.
Tips for Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare organizations have many options to leverage digital innovation and achieve success in their respective markets.
Below are 6 tips to help organizations create a strategy around leveraging technology;
- Invest in secure technology solutions.
- Encourage education & training (on going) to keep staff proficient using digital technologies.
- Protect Patient Data with sound cybersecurity.
- Encourage the use of TeleMedicine services.
- Use AI technologies responsibly and ethically.
- Update your digital & information technology (IT) systems continuously.
Implementing these 6 tips will help ensure that you are delivering excellent care to your patients while keeping their trust in your organization.
Conclusion
Technology is changing the way that healthcare will be delivered for the foreseeable future. Vastly improving the ability for healthcare providers to deliver timely, high-quality and safe care to their patient populations.
