There are very few people who don’t love technology – or have something that makes their life easier. Mobile phones, laptops, electric cars, and productivity software help them work more effectively.
You name it, and technology has had an impact. The medical field is no different, and it is important that if you work anywhere in the medical field, you understand the impact that it has on patients.
Information
It used to be that the only way to get medical information was the doctor, although for a long time and still now, old wives’ tales are prevalent. Now though, if you have a question, a list of symptoms, or you want to know the chemical make-up of bones – you can find it online.
Although not all medical practitioners are happy about it, it does mean that patients can sometimes come through the doors with questions, information, and symptoms that can help with a diagnosis.
It helps patients to make empowered and informed decisions.
Better treatment
Perhaps one of the most important ways that technology has changed the face of medicine is that patients now get a higher level of care. The ability to quickly find causes of pain, diagnose the patient, and more is incredible.
Medical manufacturers are constantly striving to make innovative technology, and ones that work with previously released models, too; a great example is the Philips Lumify.
Efficiency
While there will always be a place for written notes, technology has made it possible to have medical notes, results, and more available instantly via cloud computing. Not only do doctors and other medical professionals have access to the information when they need it – but patients can also request copies of their own medical records too.
It has made it possible for higher transparency and higher efficiency. Allowing for better treatment.
Access
For those with anxiety, mobility issues, or who live far away from local towns – telemedicine has offered better access for millions of people to high-quality healthcare. Emails, texts, apps, and more have enabled staff and patients to communicate quickly and effectively.
Telemedicine was implemented with great effectiveness after a 2010 earthquake and then further in the last three years.
Faster diagnosis
Artificial intelligence has made a phenomenal improvement in the number of people who are able to receive treatment for things like breast cancer faster. AI can examine mammograms at speed, with 99% accuracy but 30 times quicker than the human equivalent. This means that more people will find their cancer early and get effective treatment.
Wearables
Fitbit, Apple Watch, Samsung, Google, and Huawei all have wearable technology that can help both patients and medical professionals. The more we know about our health, the easier it is to spot when something isn’t right. Dips in blood oxygen, regular dips or highs in heart rate outside of exercise, and even poor sleep.
Wearables mean that the patient can see and collect information that can help them better explain their issues to a doctor – and that it can be more effectively tracked.
Making sure that technology is part of your practice can be one of the best ways to grow your medical practice; here are some others: Business Growth 101: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Hospital Business.
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