In the last 10 months, healthcare has become the focus of the human world as we grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve learned that technology can help us move forward and connect with the needed healthcare specialists or doctors to keep us healthy and strong. Technology truly is the only way forward in the future of healthcare, whether it is securing telehealth visits, using artificial intelligence for better care, applying the role of virtual reality to health protocols, or the increased use of healthcare trackers, wearables, or sensors. Let’s take a little closer look at each of these technologies and where they are headed in the future of healthcare.
Secure Telehealth Visits
Chances are if you had a medical issue over the last few months that your doctor may have given you the option of taking part in a telehealth visit rather than heading into the actual office. While not all medical situations allow for this type of “virtual visit” with a doctor or dentist, it is feasible when the situation is not critical and when a patient needs to see a specialist. Some of the technology that allows for these types of visits to happen even in the midst of a health crisis include HIPAA-compliant telehealth software that allows specialists to provide high-quality health care services anywhere and at any time of the day. Spectra Networks can help your practice install and use this type of software to keep connected with your clients remotely.
Artificial Intelligence Technology
It should come as no surprise that computers and supercomputers are working day and night to help evaluate medicines for such things as breast cancer research or therapies for Ebola treatment across the globe. Artificial intelligence or AI can outperform their human counterparts by an astounding amount. For instance, Google’s DeepMind created an A.I. for breast cancer analysis. The algorithm outperformed all human radiologists on pre-selected data sets to identify breast cancer, on average by 11.5%!
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are immersive technologies that allow users to take in information and content visually. New AR technologies help doctors and surgeons diagnose, treat, and perform surgery on their patients more precisely by providing them with access to real-time data and patient information. For instance, medical practitioners at Imperial College and St. Mary’s Hospital in London are using Microsoft’s HoloLens AR glasses during reconstructive surgery on patients with severe injuries. (Source: IT ManagementSolutions)
Healthcare Wearables, Trackers, & Sensors
If you have an Apple Watch, FitBit or other form of fitness tracker then you have discovered the more personal side of healthcare technology. More and more patients are taking their health into their own hands by investing in wearables, trackers, and sensors, usually with the assistance of their physician to monitor their vitals and health progress. According to the Medical Futurists, “The beauty of these new tech-fueled devices is that they really make patients the point-of-care. With the ability to monitor one’s health at home and share the results remotely with their physician, these devices empower people to take control of their health and make more informed decisions.”Have you considered the role of technology in your healthcare practice or more personally at home? Talk to Spectra Networks about how we assist healthcare providers with the technology to improve client interactions while maintaining secure data for all.
