19 April. 2023
by : Nushift
``The technologies that will have the biggest impact are those that allow the patient to become the point of care``.-Dr.Bertalan Mesko.
What is digital healthcare?
The world at large is greatly dependent on technology for solving some of the most complex problems. The point at which technology and health intersect is what we regard as digital healthcare. Globally digital health technology is redefining the scalability of several healthcare systems like analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and systems thinking. Digital health applies the use of technology to solve challenges in three ways-
- Hardware-this includes smart phone enabled pacemakers, screening devices, remote analysers for blood/urine and portable vital sign monitors.
- Software includes mobile health applications and platforms like dashboards, self-training or e-learning platforms and behaviour change solutions.
- Services for delivering end-to-end health solutions using a combination of both software and hardware development.
Most of the digital technologies find application in the healthcare industry SaaS-Software as a service, internet-of-things(IOT), cloud/edge computing, Big Data, 3D printing, robotics, assistive and immersive technologies.
Benefits of digital healthcare and its significance in today’s world
Digital healthcare today is being greatly sought after by healthcare leaders, practitioners, and administrators. Through the use of computing platforms, software, sensors and connectivity digital health technologies are supporting the process of monitoring health parameters. Here are a few reasons why digital healthcare and its significance in today’s world is beneficial-
- Through the use of digital health technologies patients are in a better position to manage their own health and other irregularities.Through the use of smartphones, internet applications, and social networks patients can make the best use of personalised care plans based on their health parameters and specific needs. It also provides them with information related to disease prevention, physical and occupational therapy. Having access to such well-defined information helps them to make more informed decisions about their health.
- Digital channels empower a better communication channel among patients and doctors, thereby helping doctors to monitor and record patients progress in real-time. Through digital health portals patients can message doctors and also connect with them through video chat.
- Digital healthcare also plays an important role in expanding the reach of healthcare professionals. With modern digital health systems reducing the administrative burden on doctors, doctors can now find more time to interact with patients and develop an efficient health monitoring plan. It also helps them to focus on building their network by connecting and collaborating with doctors within the fraternity. Platforms like Nushift Connect helps doctors to connect, communicate and collaborate with fellow physicians besides organically helping them amplify the growth of their referral base.
- Digital healthcare forwards tools for the early detection of diseases and its progression. The emerging technologies have not only expedited the process of drug development but has also introduced a new class of therapies in the space of digital therapeutics(DTx), a software based solution that focuses on treating a specific disease or disorder. Early detection of the warning signs helps patients to avoid serious complications thereby preventing those conditions from being completely irreversible.
Here are a few interesting facts substantiating digital healthcare and its significance in today’s world as per Invest India
- Nearly 76% of healthcare professionals use digital health records in their practice
- Close to 64% of healthcare professionals have accepted that having easy access to health data has greatly and positively impacted the service experience for patients.
- 87% of Indians having access to digital health records also want their healthcare professionals to have access to digital health records.
- Over 67% of Indians feel comfortable seeking medical advice through phone or a virtual healthcare application.
The introduction of telemedicine and virtual care models courtesy digital healthcare has been life-saving during the peak of the pandemic. This has led to a significant rise in the adoption of telemedicine among doctors across various parts of India, statistically as per reports- 80% of doctors in North India adopted telemedicine, 50% in Southern and Western India and 35% in the Eastern region of India.
Digital healthcare and its significance in today’s world and tomorrow’s as well, will sustainably continue to rise. The years to come will see a massive spike in the demand and supply of healthcare services. The entire ecosystem of AI, telemedicine, EHR, robotics, IoT and digital therapeutics will become the country’s biggest backbone in aiding patient monitoring, healthcare accessibility, affordability, supply chain and quality of care.