What is the role of Technology in Healthcare?

 

One of the most important, and highly debated, elements of our society is the quality of healthcare available to patients. And, undeniably, a driving force behind quality healthcare is the adoption of technology that enables clinicians to provide better patient care. Healthcare is a sector where there is great scope for technological innovation. Due to its essential nature, the healthcare industry is only going to grow, and the demand for technological solutions to refine healthcare systems and processes is only going to expand. Technology’s role in healthcare has expanded exponentially over the last 20 years and figures to increase in conjunction with our societal technological advancements. Our ability to store, share and analyze health information is directly tied to improved technology. The use of technology increases provider capabilities and patient access while improving the quality of life for some patients and saving the lives of others In addition, new and exciting developments in fields like communications, data analysis, biotechnology, block chain etc., can help hospitals and doctors provide the best and most efficient solutions to patients.With the changes in health IT over the last two decades, and those yet to come, the question isn’t whether we should promote health IT throughout the nation.

 The following are the most used technology.

• Big Data Analysis:
• Efficient hospital staffing
• Error-proof medication
• Preventive care
• Wearable Medical Devices
• Virtual Reality Tech
• Blockchain
• Telehealth

Technology is all-pervasive and is helping address unique challenges in terms of accessibility, affordability and quality. Though at a nascent stage, the rate of adoption is rather fast and given the size of the healthcare sector, the resultant scale and impact can be immense.

Cashless will be the new norm in the next five years for many procedures. Digital payments and automated microfinance will fundamentally change the way we pay for care.

 As medical insurance penetration increases in India, there will be a need to create a national-level medical transaction clearinghouse, based on blockchain and AI, with cascading multi-level payments and settlements. This could be a game changer.

 The clearinghouse will offer real-time healthcare transaction processing services over the internet with a highly secured connection and state-of-the-art internet architecture that speeds up deployment and minimises costs associated with claims submission, claims tracking, clinical data exchange and follow-up.

Technology will definitely play an ever-increasing role in healthcare in this new digital age. From empowering people to ensure their fitness, protecting patients’ privacy and medical data, and helping hospitals make more efficient decisions vis a vis staffing and treatment, technological innovations can help doctors and patients in more ways than one.