Now more than ever we know that we can all benefit from information and communication technologies (ICT). The use of ICT in the health and medical sector can close the information gaps between health professionals and communities, researchers, and other professionals. With this innovation, more efficient ways of accessing, communicating, and storing information can be provided.
Apart from notably improving the efficiency of the health system, ICT can prevent medical errors through databases and more professional applications.
Examples of ICT that improve healthcare
- In a remote rural hospital, a doctor is unable to diagnose a patient with complex symptoms. But you can if you use online search training and the hospital’s internet connection.
- A physician reviews his hospital’s prescribing trends with an electronic record system. So she discovers that other doctors do not use the most effective post-surgical antibiotic. When she calls out the mistake, she saves the hospital time and money, as well as ensures the well-being of the patients.
- Teleconsultations help save many lives, especially when CT scans and medical images are sent to the network of contacts to help diagnose and treat premature newborns.
- When a patient feels embarrassed about bringing up reproductive health issues and STDs to her doctor. There may be anonymous communication with a health clinic that has established email accounts for staff to facilitate informed interactions.
ICTs for health is often said to be expensive, time-consuming, risky, and distract from the main goals and purposes of the health sector. At a certain point, these criticisms are not valid. However, these ICTs can improve overall effectiveness. There is greater use of more sustainable and low-cost components, as well as more informed communication.
Technology in healthcare
Thanks to technological innovations, it has improved the diagnosis and treatment of health. As such, it is one of the most important sectors to adopt the cutting-edge technology.
As a result, they will save many lives and the overall quality of life has improved. Technology in health care offers many benefits. In which areas of health are there innovative medical technologies? Keep reading about it here.
Benefits of ICT in health care
The wave of technological progress is the greatest gift humanity has given itself. Thus, the ubiquitous nature of technology is evident in all aspects of our society. In health care there has been a revolution in many ways.
1. Easy access to patient care records
A doctor’s ability to analyze a patient’s conditions and find a possible cure is based on medical data. But a lot of physical paperwork was done between so many records. It became impossible to review the entire history of an elderly or very sick person.
Medical information can now be entered into a digitized, cloud-based system. With just one click, specialists, patients, and medical billers can access this information anytime, anywhere.
ICT in health care facilitates the reach and storage of health records of all patients.
This readable format facilitates the communication of patient information to any professional and interested person. This will reduce the risk of medication errors. The database without performing new health checks facilitates many procedures. ICTs improve safety and ensure the health of all patients.
The technological tools of medicine provide a safe environment for patients.
First, it provides medication alerts and reminders, appointment schedules, and diagnostic reports. Everything is easily accessible.
Alerts can be critical for very specific treatments. It also leads to uniformity of health practice. Everyone will have information from the electronic records.
These health records can improve the quality of care provided for common conditions.
2. Reduction of medical errors
Medical errors are an inevitable part of the results of repeated practice. Millions of patients die every year around the world due to medical errors.
However, with technology, systems have been developed to reduce medical errors and save more lives. Health professionals can access medical information and specific patient information. This improves decision-making, with information filtered rationally and presented at appropriate times.
A well-built system can reduce serious medication errors by 55% and total medication errors by 83%. There is a transcendent power to make accurate diagnoses.
3. Greater patient care with ICT
For the purpose of creating ultra-personalized health plans, ICTs can increase patient engagement.
This can be seen through wireless devices such as fitness bands and smartwatches to provide patients and specialists with parameters such as blood pressure and EKGs. Also for calorie counting, exercise checks, medical appointments, and variations in blood pressure.
Thus, there will also be greater monitoring of the health of patients. There will be another efficiency in the fulfillment of the treatment plans.
Also, if they detect an abnormality, family members or relevant healthcare providers will be notified immediately. This is crucial for older patients and those who live alone.
These devices enhance the healthcare experience for patients and improve the quality of care.
4. Patient education
Specialists are embracing technologies that aid patient engagement and education. -Its purpose is to help the patient experience. Almost 95% of health specialists already use technology tools to interact with their patients and educate them.
Thus, patients can receive educational information about their health, adapted to their specific needs and conditions. The best thing is for patients to access their personal health information and communicate from anywhere with their doctors if they have any questions.
An informed and educated patient is more likely to adhere to preventive medical precautions and their doctor’s instructions. Thus, they can better control their illnesses and become more aware of their conditions.
5. Cost reduction
Medical errors cost the international health system billions. Both doctors and patients benefit from the reduction of medical errors, both in diagnosis and prescription.
Outpatient care costs can be reduced by 3 percent when there is greater technological communication. Also, the cloud diagnoses and the algorithm will help to provide more accurate details of the health of any person.
Medical technologies
Technology is ever-present and undeniable, from casting to robotic surgery. The patient remains at the center of all this medical technology, but also the entire health system.
Some innovations are:
- Now there are various fields that have been using 3-D printing. Surgical implants and joints are already made that way. Prosthetics also use it to create perfectly matched limbs to improve comfort and mobility.
- In the case of artificial organs, the patient’s immune system will not reject them as in the case of 3D printing. Bioprinting is a promising technology that has the potential to save millions of lives.
- The hands of a robotic surgeon are controlled, precise and flexible to operate in the least invasive way possible on a patient. There are certain operations easier or even possible because of it.
- Wearable health devices can detect cardiovascular abnormalities earlier and prevent serious conditions.
- Medical students can gain a better understanding of human anatomy and procedures through virtual reality.
- Health care is delivered through digital devices and telehealth, an emerging market. There is greater access to professionals.
Final Thoughts on ICT
There is no doubt that technology has the potential to transform the healthcare sector. ICT needs to have support from highly qualified people with years of training. But there is also a lack of infrastructure and tools.
With increasing life expectancy and an aging population, innovation in healthcare is in high demand. Also, every year, the landscape changes radically along with the technology in this field.
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