Digital Health Technologies
With the outburst of content capabilities, there is an emergence of a lot of social opportunities and undervalued attention in many platforms.
Health technologies include all the devices, medicines, vaccines, processes and systems designed for the smooth running of health care operations, minimize the overall costs involved, and improve the quality of care. Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, chatbots, and virtual reality (VR) are health technologies with the greatest potential in 2019.
For a considerable period of time, healthcare executives were discontented with the lack of technology solutions available in the sector. That said, we may question whether or not the shortage of technology is the reason behind the delay in the adoption of digital transformation in the health and wellness companies in India.
However, we expect this shall not be the case. Today, the continually evolving digital technologies are uncovering advanced applications in the healthcare industry. Even when the industry is still struggling with the digital transformation, new applications are emerging each year. We can also say that technology and healthcare is a marriage made in heaven.
In this article, we take a deep look at the five most progressive health technologies that may have a major impact on the healthcare industry in 2019. These technologies provide solutions to key challenges in the healthcare industry.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Produce Future Radiologists
Today, radiologists spend a lot of time performing tedious manual tasks while analyzing pictures. This substantial workload implies that they barely get enough time to review those pictures. This may sometimes result in errors and misdiagnosis especially when the radiologist has to deal with a large amount of data with a rise in the number of patients.
With the advent of semi-automation, AI algorithms will be used for image analysis to save a large amount of time and enhance productivity. AI technology that recognizes user preference can contour the image analysis processes and speed them up by reducing the number of clicks needed to complete a task and minimize the time spent on analysis.
2. Blockchain- The Ultimate Key to Secure Storage and Transfer of Data
Have you ever visited a hospital or wellness centre and the doctor faced trouble while accessing your medical records? For doctors, this significant challenge results in extended in-patient stay in hospitals, imperfect referral management, readmissions that may be prevented, and regulatory non-compliance. Besides, patients generally like to access their treatment records if they are unable to keep the instructions in mind.
This can be done with the help of blockchain as it may improve the seamless data accessibility between third-party and the local health IT workflows. Moreover, blockchain also ensures the security of this digital data as the technology emphasizes on a secure recording, transmission, and sharing of information between different devices.
3. Virtual Clinical Trials with Health Wearables And Mhealth Apps
During clinical trials, pharmaceutical companies face major cost burdens in the recruitment and retention of patients. Moreover, the total cost involved in on-site monitoring, sticking to the growing complexities of clinical trials and regulations are also some of the major challenges. However, mHealth apps and wearable devices are providing a solution to these challenges.
Wearables have initiated the idea of virtual clinical trials which not only reduce the costs involved but also serve in streamlining the processes.
4. Augmented Reality (AR) Dramatically Transforming Surgeries
Since the last decade, real-time data streaming and diagnostic imaging have modified the way of surgery planning by doctors. However, that has not contributed much in saving the time while carrying out a surgery. According to experts, the health and wellness companies in India will witness AR as a fully commercialized and cutting-edge tool for surgical planning, cooperation, and consolidation to boost the patient’s safety in 2019.
5. Digitization of Consumer Data for Health Insurance
The growth in the concept of “quantified self” (the act involving the use of private information to improve a person’s quality of life) has been a reforming force in the healthcare industry. With the digitization of products and services, the era of consumerism is gaining momentum around the globe and as per the health experts, this technology can enhance the popularity and importance of health data as well as lifestyle-driven health insurance plans.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, 2019 will be a witness to how digital technologies are evolving and offering new solutions to major challenges prevailing in the healthcare sector. The top five technologies we talked above represent only a small percentage of how digital applications are transforming the healthcare sector. To sum up, the future of the industry looks excellent.
