THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON HEALTHCARE

Thanks to technological breakthroughs, what was once unthinkable and a simple fiction that we witnessed in movies has now become our reality. The influence is amazing, whether it is in the corporate world, the educational industry, our homes, the medical area, or any other facet of our life.

Today, we'll look at how technological advancements have impacted the healthcare industry in particular. Is it making things better or making things worse?

Let's take a closer look at whether technology is a benefit or a curse for the healthcare industry.

Easier Access to Information

One of the most significant advantages that technology has to offer in the healthcare sector is more convenient and faster access to information for both healthcare professionals and patients.

With the emergence of EHRs, hospitals and doctors no longer have to rely only on the necessity to preserve physical records for patients. All of the information may be simply saved digitally, saving hospitals substantial money and space. While physical storage is still required, a large percentage of it has been digitised, making it relatively easy for doctors to obtain any information.

Furthermore, if information needs to be transferred to a third party, it may be done in a matter of seconds with the assistance of a reliable internet connection. This saves valuable time and allows doctors to make better decisions.

Better Patient Care

Taking care of patients has gotten more easier as a result of technological advancements. Pacemakers, health trackers, and other devices make it relatively simple for consumers to track their own health.

In the event of a problem, the data collected by these devices may be quickly conveyed to doctors, who can determine what is wrong with a patient even remotely. Furthermore, sophisticated healthcare technology has contributed to an increase in life expectancy.

Major procedures that were once unthinkable are now achievable because to technologies like Capsule Endoscopy cameras that may be readily ingested by a patient. Doctors can then watch the camera to detect any problems inside the body.

Telehealth and Telemedicine

Telehealth and telemedicine are the next steps in the evolution of healthcare. Patients may now quickly contact their physicians from anywhere in the world. There are a lot of excellent Telehealth platforms available that may assist patients in receiving the assistance they want at precisely the appropriate time from the comfort of their own homes.

Patients may use these platforms to check for symptoms, track their medication, contact specific providers, and much more. They may also check to see whether they require a certain medication and get it right away to have it delivered to their door.

Personal Health Devices are Hack-able

While technology has helped to enhance the healthcare sector in general, it has also had certain negative consequences. Personal health equipment, for example, that are intended to keep people healthy, can sometimes be harmful.

To work, current medical equipment relies heavily on the notion of IoT. Unauthorized persons can occasionally get access to these devices and inflict harm to a patient. While these gadgets are intended for good, if not protected, they may be accessed and hacked for malicious reasons.

Unfamiliarity with Technology

Not everyone is technologically proficient. In fact, some people may be resistant to adopting any technology at all. Some patients are not adequately prepared to comprehend the high-tech interfaces and functionality of many medical equipment. As a result, they find it challenging to operate these machines on their own.

As a result, people may wind up misinterpreting the characteristics of these technologies or having difficulty determining how to appropriately use them, limiting the advantages. The seamless use of such technology is dependent on a patient's own talents, which must be evaluated.

Conclusion

After all of this, we'd just want to point out that everything in life has two sides. While technology has aided the healthcare industry, it has also introduced new challenges for healthcare practitioners and society as a whole. If we wish to take use of technology, we must weigh the benefits and drawbacks.

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