Blog

Technology has impacted healthcare through the innovations that have affected aspects of health care like clinical appointments, prescription for drugs, and diagnosis of diseases. Experts in health informatics will agree that technology has led to breakthroughs in research, data collection, and treatment.

Medical providers can use new tools to find innovative ways of practicing medicine in the future. Many industry analysts have observed that technology has led to increased accessibility to treatment. Health IT opens up more avenues of research and exploration, thereby allowing experts to make healthcare more effective and driven. The convergence of technology, machine learning, and digitalization have a significant impact on the patient experience. So the healthcare industry is set to deliver breakthrough innovations at unimaginable rates and costs.

Virtual Healthcare

Virtual healthcare, telehealth, or telemedicine allows patients and doctors to connect remotely through mobile apps and video conferencing without the need for physical space or a hospital. This novel experience will enable devices to be more adaptable and modular. It is becoming quite noticeable that healthcare delivery in the United States and many parts of the world are shifting towards virtual healthcare.

Virtual healthcare refers to the virtual visits that take place between patients and their doctors via communication technology. It could be a video conference between you and your doctor at home. It could also mean that you get to interact with an offsite specialist through a high-definition meeting at their local clinic rather than travel to another city. It also gives you the option of seeking qualified second opinions online. So far, virtual healthcare is used mainly for consultations and meetings, status reports, and check-ins instead of in-depth treatments and diagnostic Reports. Although the technology is evolving, more critical conditions like diabetes are handled now with virtual healthcare.

Virtual healthcare enables medical experts to monitor situations or procedures from remote locations. You can benefit from patient monitoring for treating chronic conditions like hypertension that often require frequent hospitalization due to a lack of transparency and communication about your situation.

Virtual Healthcare versus Telehealth

Like remote patient management, it is often used synonymously with telemedicine or telehealth. However, virtual healthcare is a component of telehealth that entirely encompasses technology-driven and remote healthcare. This constantly evolving technology makes it susceptible to different names. Telehealth is a vast category of solutions that focuses on servicing patients at a distance. It could be managing high-risk pregnancy or chronic condition management as long as it happens remotely. Whether you use a phone or an IVR system, the idea is to use it for gathering and exchanging information.

Note that patient demand for virtual healthcare leads to greater patient satisfaction. A medical practitioner cited in the Harvard Business Review that a virtual visit pilot program organized by Women's Hospital and Brigham produced a 97% satisfaction rate among patients. With 74% stating that the interaction improved their relationship with their healthcare provider. Besides, 87% of the patients said they would need to come physically to the hospital without a virtual visit.

Pharmaceuticals and nanomedicine

Healthcare is veering towards preventive medicine and a result-based economic model that incorporates Nanomedicine. It is the medical application of Nanotechnology. It focuses on the effective treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of various diseases. Nanotechnology deals with the molecular structure of materials to change their intrinsic properties. Unlike conventional medicine, it is better at delivery systems and precise targeting. It also has an enormous opportunity for sensors and diagnostic devices that pave the way for combating complex conditions.

Technological advancements in pharmacy

When it comes to tracking your medication online, there is an app to the rescue. Every form of health-related technology focuses on improving the overall patient experience while making the process more personal. Aside from patient-related technology, there are other forms of technology that have improved healthcare tremendously. They keep track of prescriptions, automate prescription refills, minimize paperwork, and create new record-keeping methods. Presently, technology allows pharmacies to form programs that generate a patient's prescription refill history and check prescriptions from other pharmacies to monitor and check the patient's general health and safety.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP)

PDMPs are responsible for collecting state-specific controlled substance prescription data. The information in a state’s PDMP can help pharmacists and doctors ensure the safety of their patients when using and prescribing controlled substances. Checking the PDMP database before filing a controlled substance is highly encouraged.

Automated Dispensing Units

Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADC) are computerized drug storage devices designed for hospitals. They allow medications to be stored and dispensed near the point of care while tracking and controlling drug distribution. It ensures a reduction in errors and allows staff to focus on patient contact instead of filling the prescription.

Medication Reminder Devices

There are numerous devices in the market that provide smart medication reminders to patients. Some of these devices have features that enable them to lock after you have taken the correct dose. Others have digital dashboards that help patients to know their next scheduled dose. Technological advancements in pharmacy assist both the pharmacy staff and the patient, thereby creating a holistic experience for each step of the prescription process. As the world advances, technology is becoming an integral part of healthcare, especially tackling the challenges of distance and time.

Medication Therapy Management

It is an online platform for managing a patient's medication, usually provided by a pharmacist to patients. With this platform, you can review all medication prescribed to the patient, along with any herbal or over-the-counter products to address medication challenges. Some of these issues include duplication of prescription, incorrect use of Medication, unnecessary Medication, and medication for an untreated or poorly managed condition. It ensures that you can provide medication-related consultation, education, and advice to the caregiver or patient.

Conclusion

If your healthcare organization needs IT and tech-related services, contact Advanced Network Professionals today to discuss technology solutions that align with your healthcare organization's needs. We will be glad to answer all your questions and ensure that your healthcare delivery remains up-to-date.