Ask anyone about the benefits of today’s technology and you’re bound to hear that it has brought the world together via modern telecommunication – can’t argue with that, for a video call with a loved one who is anywhere on the planet is possible now via a gadget that fits in your pocket!
Still, have you ever thought of how technology could be benefitting our health as well? Read on…
The technological advances in medicine today can’t possibly be ignored. From the invention of X-ray machines to advances in surgical practices, technology has given us more options on the health front and has increased life expectancies (1). As we move further into the 21st century, we continue to develop technologies that cure illnesses and improve our quality of life. Health informatics are heavily integrated with technology and graduates with a Master of Science in Health Informatics degree can help to push the boundaries of healthcare throughout their careers.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
As any student of health informatics knows, the movement toward electronic health records is a huge evolution in the medical field, and one that can facilitate countless advances in medical diagnostics and treatment.
In the past, hospitals had disparate information systems that were clumsy in their ability to share and transfer patient records. With the advent of EHRs, many systems have been connected, allowing for information transfers that are at the speed of light, which result in more integrated and efficient care.
Telemedicine / Telehealth
Telemedicine refers to methods of advancing healthcare based on telecommunications technologies. There are several reasons telehealth is becoming more popular and successful. First, in rural areas where access to hospitals and other health related services are lacking, patients can use their computer to meet virtually with a doctor. Secondly, the cost benefits associated with telehealth are substantial, saving people money from visits to the doctor’s.
Remote monitoring tools
When patients monitor their health at home, they can save money and reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor’s office. Millions of patients worldwide benefit from these tools.
Pacemakers for patients with heart disease can automatically send data to remote health centers. Even for patients with chronic illnesses, these tools can allow systems to monitor a patient’s health from a distance.
Wearable technology
The wearable medical device market is growing quickly. These devices collect data, which helps doctors and patients alike monitor and assess the health of the wearer. In addition to devices that alert authorities about serious medical issues, there are very popular wearables like wristbands and watches that are allowing users to take an active role in their health(4).
Genome sequencing
Personal genomics are considered by some as the future of healthcare. Personal genomics refers to the sequencing and analysis of one person’s genome and then giving that person his or her genomic information(3)
Sequencing the human genome has been one of the greatest advancements in medical technology of the last 40 years. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, says in Modern Healthcare, “For all of human history, we have labored without understanding our instruction book, and the human genome provided that. It’s like crossing a bridge(2).”
The technological advances in the medical field have allowed for many life saving procedures to become commonplace. Just the thought of virtually visiting a doctor from hundreds or thousands of miles away would have been difficult to believe only a few decades ago. From remote monitoring tools and wearable medical technology to the sequencing of genomes, technology is improving health at a rapid pace.
References:
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/10-biggest-technological-advancements-for-healthcare-in-the-last-decade.html
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160326/MAGAZINE/303289882
http://www.yourgenome.org/stories/personal-genomics-the-future-of-healthcare
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vala-afshar/wearable-technology-the-c_b_5263547.html
