Anyone who has studied health informatics knows that the development of electronic cases has been a huge advancement in the field of medicine, facilitating countless advances in medical diagnosis and treatment. In the past, hospitals had different information systems that were cumbersome in their ability to share and transmit patient records. With the advent of electronic medical records, many of these systems have been linked, allowing for faster information transfer and more comprehensive and efficient care.
II.Telemedicine/Telehealth
Telemedicine refers to an approach to advancing health care based on telecommunications technology. There are several reasons why telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular and successful. First, in rural areas where hospitals and other health-related services are lacking, patients can use their computers to meet virtually with their doctors. Second, the cost benefits associated with telemedicine are enormous. According to a study by the Connected Healthcare Alliance, telemedicine services can save up to $100 per visit. Another study showed that patients in intensive care units equipped with telemedicine services were discharged from the hospital 20 percent faster and had a 26 percent lower mortality rate than those in traditional intensive care units.
Three Remote Monitoring Tools
Patients can save money and reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor when they monitor their health from home. At the end of 2012, nearly 3 million patients worldwide were using home health monitoring systems. Pacemakers for heart patients can automatically send data to telemedicine centers. For chronically ill patients, these tools allow the system to monitor the patient's health from a distance.
Four, wearable technology
The market for wearable medical devices is growing rapidly. These devices are used to collect data to help doctors and patients monitor and assess the wearer's health. In addition to devices that focus on serious medical issues, there are very popular wearable devices such as wristbands and watches that allow users to take an active role in their health. In 2018, 130 million wearable devices were reportedly shipped to consumers.
V. Genome Sequencing
Some see personal genomics as the future of healthcare. Personal genomics involves sequencing and analyzing a person's genome and then giving that person information about his or her genome. Sequencing the human genome has been one of the biggest advances in medical technology in the last 40 years. Today, genomic medicine is making its way into more hospitals and bringing non-invasive technologies that can be used to better target and treat diseases as diverse as brain cancer and cholera.