The evolution of medical technology is extraordinary – not just in the techniques that are used to repair the injured and tend to the ill, but in the way that medical staffs are organized through digital tools that deliver medical information faster and cut the time needed for bureaucratic procedures to only a fraction of what it used to take. Mobile technology is also facilitating these processes, and doctors are even using wearable technology to have instant access to patients' medical records and other necessary resources to ensure that patients get the right healthcare for their specific needs. The medical community is evolving so quickly that it's hard to stay up to date, which is why we're taking the time to look back on some of the most important developments from the past week in healthcare technology.
Wearable technology is still in its infancy, but the field has the greatest potential impact on healthcare technology, due to the fact that wearables offer a unique platform for monitoring a patients' activity levels, as well as their biometrics. One new tool that fits into this role is the Arcus Motion ring, which is both a gesture controller and an activity tracker. The waterproof ring not only allows users to control almost any device that supports the Bluetooth 4.0 bandwidth with the wave of a hand, but it also includes an activity tracker far more powerful than most fitness waistbands or wristbands on today's market, and can actually help wearers perfect their movement while playing sports.
In fact, as wearables become more popular, they may face an interesting role in the health insurance industry. Because wearables have the ability to both track a user's movement as well as report their physical habits online, they offer healthcare insurance companies a unique window for monitoring a policy holder's physical habits. This may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but the fact that wearable devices in the future could monitor things like blood sugar levels and how often a wearer exercises, insurance companies could potentially factor this information in when determining insurance rates.
Wearables aren't the only source of mobile healthcare however. Mobile apps are playing an increasingly common role in self-health monitoring for many individuals, without the need to track biometrics directly. The mobile health movement allows patients to communicate health information with their doctors wirelessly through the Internet: anytime, anywhere. Ultimately this results in doctors being able to help detect problems before they become a problem, leading to a climate of preventative medical care instead of reactionary.
Telehealth is also a growing communications platform for medical treatment, and Tely Labs is contributing to that option by manufacturing video-conferencing systems for doctors to use to communicate with patients on the go. Telehealth allows patients to connect through a videoconferencing client to their doctors to describe their symptoms and determine if they need to come in for a more thorough check-up. Not only does this save time and resources for both parties, but it also encourages users to speak to doctors when they have a question, and even helps reduce the spread of infection.
