As technological innovation grows around the world, it continues to transform all industries. And healthcare is not an exception! Technology is playing an increasingly important role in almost all the processes involved in the sector. From lab testing to detailed imaging, patient registration, self-care tools, pre-operative assessments, robot-assessed surgeries, and data monitoring, there is hardly any area in healthcare where technology is not used.
Before you look into how modern technology can assist with health issues, it is best to know some of the existing challenges to the health industry.
Healthcare Challenges
The healthcare system around the world is facing numerous challenges. Despite being one of the best healthcare systems in the world, the Australian healthcare system is constantly facing a few challenges that include but are not limited to the following.
Ageing Population
People today are living longer than ever. With an average life expectancy as high as 70 years for men and 72 years for women, the ageing population is one of the biggest challenges for the healthcare system. The sector needs to be prepared to deal with not only the unhealthy and sick aged patients but also to cater to the needs of older, healthier individuals.
Managing Chronic Health Conditions
According to Australian health officials, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases are some of the chronic health conditions that affect 61% of the older population. Apart from leading to death, these chronic conditions account for repeated hospitalizations and regular medical checkups.
These two biggest challenges bring a number of other concerns including how to maintain data and information of each patient. And this is where technology comes into play. Let’s take a look at how technology can assist with health issues.
How Modern Technology Can Assist with Medical Challenges?
Aids in Maintaining Medical Record
Today, healthcare records are widely saved in the hard form not on paper but on smart devices such as tablets, smartphones, and information systems. This is perhaps one of the best ways to collectively maintain the entire medical record of a patient without the fear of information getting lost or damaged.
Improved Telehealth Facilities
A digital medical record allows patients to undergo consultation virtually, something that is critically important during the COVID-19 pandemic. And even prior to the pandemic, telehealth facilities have significantly improved over the last decade.
Use of AI in Diagnosis
Artificial Intelligence is widely used in imaging techniques and this has significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis and in providing adequate care to the patients. AI-driven software can accurately identify certain diseases when used in medical imaging such as MRIs, and CT scans.
Surgical Robots
Apart from scans and other imaging techniques, artificial intelligence is applied to surgical procedures as well. The idea behind using robotics and AI is to avoid unnecessary steps during a surgical procedure and work with a targeted approach for more accurate results. Technology-driven corrective eye surgeries are one of the most common medical procedures that are performed using laser technology.
There are numerous other ways through which technology can assist with medical issues including identification of diseases at a cellular level. This allows for recognizing antibodies that can be used to treat viral conditions. Over time, this information is critical when it comes to the development of a variety of vaccines.
Final Words
The use of technology enables medical practitioners to work with greater efficiency when it comes to managing patient data and perform surgical procedures. Moreover, the use of technology allows for more accurate diagnosis which eventually translates into a better quality of treatment.
The use of technology is not just limited to medical institutions. Through the development of better quality healthcare products, technology has improved the quality of life for a common man as well. Know more about technology-driven healthcare products on our website.