3 Digital Health Technology Trends to Watch
When The Jetsons first aired in 1962, its portrayal of telemedicine really did seem “out of this world.”
Fast-forward 60 years, where machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digital health technology have become the norm. In fact, things are changing so quickly it’s almost impossible to keep up!
What are the latest digital health technology trends you should be aware of? Here are the latest developments.
1. Virtual Visits & Telehealth
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, less than 1% of patient visits were virtual. By April 2020, over 28% of “office” visits took place in a virtual setting. Even when the pandemic is behind us, 80% of people plan to continue scheduling virtual appointments.
Aside from the obvious — reducing the chance of spreading disease — there are other compelling reasons for this trend. In remote areas or countries with a shortage of doctors, telehealth can have a dramatic impact on the local population. If doctors can diagnose, monitor, and treat patients remotely, we’ll see improvements in both the quality of life and mortality rates.
We’re also likely to see telehealth spread to other aspects of the medical world, such as addressing mental health concerns or follow-up care after a major illness or surgery.
2. IoMT (Internet of Medical Things)
With the ability to perform an executive search for digital health companies, it’s easier than ever for medical professionals to stay connected. It’s also easier for patients to take charge of their health with the help of trackers and wearable devices.
Even the tiniest device can effectively monitor an array of things, from blood sugar levels to sleep patterns to heart rate. The patient can share this information with their doctor in real-time, allowing them to track progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan.
All of this is possible thanks to the ever-growing IoMT, or the Internet of Medical Things. Globally, the IoMT is expected to reach a value of $172.4 billion by 2030.
3. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Automation
Does it seem like you only spend a few minutes of actual face-time with your doctor?
That’s no coincidence. The average doctor spends nearly nine hours per week on basic administrative tasks, or an average of 16 minutes of paperwork per patient. Chances are that’s longer than your actual office visit!
To combat this problem, many companies are developing AI tools to reduce the administrative burden on doctors and their staff.
In radiology departments, for example, AI automation can cut the workload by up to 25%, freeing doctors and nurses to spend more time with patients. AI-enabled technology is also improving the outcome of routine exams for CT scans and MRIs, helping technicians to get the images they need the first time.
The Latest Digital Health Technology Trends
Things are changing fast in the world of healthcare, and not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to these recent developments, we have more tools than ever before to monitor and manage our health.
If you haven’t already done so, take advantage of these new digital health technology trends. Your body will thank you for it!
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