Digital health has been evolving for generations, and it is now a recognized concept in healthcare. The developments among these integrated technologies augment the delivery of quality, timely healthcare for patients. Here is what you need to know about the generic term of “digital health” and how it encompasses so many elements of modern technology and health and wellness.
Common Forms of Digital Health
The rise of the internet and especially mobile technology has led to essential innovations in digital health. They have proven to have staying power and share an incredible wealth of knowledge to help doctors work with patients and help patients play a hand in their healthcare journey.
- Telehealth. Video and phone consultations with healthcare professionals have made it possible for more people to get the care they need in the moment, especially if their mobility is compromised or they are too sick to leave their home.
- Wearable devices. Real-time health monitoring for heart rate, level of activity, and other movement variables makes it possible for physicians to get basic vitals or around-the-clock information about a patient to inform their health chart and lend information to a diagnosis.
- Patient portals. Healthcare offices that make use of patient portals give patients the opportunity for coordinated care and to communicate directly with a medical professional regarding non-urgent medical questions, medications and refills, charts, health history, scheduling, and more.
- AI. Whether you love or loathe artificial intelligence, AI is lending its power to healthcare through software that learns from human use and real-world experience. Examples of medically related AI include a smart device that can estimate the likelihood of a heart attack, an imaging system that uses algorithms to contribute to skin cancer diagnoses, or digital trackers of wellness-related activities.
Benefits of Digital Health Technology
There are pros and cons to developing digital methods for every doctor and every patient. Just like medicine needs to be considered to determine whether it is appropriate for a person’s preventive care, so too does digital health technology. The benefits, though, in many cases far outweigh any detrimental side effects. Benefits of digital tools include:
- Provide a more holistic view of patient health.
- Gives patients more control over their own health.
- Creates possibilities for more efficient, accessible medical care.
- Empower patients to make well-informed decisions about their health.
- Makes early diagnosis of disease and disease prevention possible.
- Helps manage chronic conditions.
- Personalize medicine and quality of care for patients.
Participate in Your Own Healthcare with Digital Technology
Ultimately, everyone should want the kind of healthcare that enhances delivery of diagnoses, customized treatment, and ongoing care. Through various methods of connectivity, smart software, sensors, and communication, digital health technologies are powerful when it comes to helping patients get thorough, accurate care.
Digital health does not substitute for personalized medicine at Swetech Medical Center, but when technology can aid us in determining a diagnosis or putting patients at ease, we make the most of the appropriate options. Schedule a visit with me, Dr. Jon Swetech, to learn more about the digital health we offer at our practice and how your chronic condition or health concerns can benefit from innovations in medicine and technology.
Nothing in this blog is official medical advice. See your doctor for customized care.
