Healthcare Technology Featured Article

July 26, 2014

Health TechZone Week in Review


High technology is constantly finding its way into the medical industry, in more ways than one. Not only are life-saving new tools being used in operating rooms to reduce recovery times and relieve previously untreatable symptoms, but the way that patients find and meet with qualified doctors is now more efficient than ever thanks to mobile technology and telehealth. Even the way medical records are stored is vastly improved thanks to cloud-based technology, which allows doctors to immediately display patient information on their tablets or even wearable PCs. Below are some of the top medical technology stories from the past week alone.

Preventative healthcare is always more cost-efficient than medical treatment is, and the USDA is looking to encourage this mindset by encouraging healthier habits in the grocery store. Healthier grocery habits prevent diseases like diabetes and obesity from taking root, and the USDA has recommended using tools like electronic benefit transfer rebates and targeted online merchandizing to encourage Americans to buy, and eat healthier.

Additionally, the FDA is seeking to encourage healthier lifestyles for the same reasons, and part of that battle involves regulating health apps. Health apps are another excellent tool for encouraging proper diet and exercise routines and are swiftly gaining popularity, but they are only effective if they actually promote well-researched information. This means that sometime in the near future, the FDA may have to inspect health apps to make sure that the information contained is actually healthy, because poor apps could be ineffective or even detrimental to a user's health.

Patients looking for the right doctor for their specific conditions may have gotten one of the best tools yet with the iOS health app BetterDoctor. BetterDoctor combines and improves upon the doctor selection tools offered by HealthGrades and the scheduling capabilities of ZocDoc to allow patients to find a doctor that not only specializes in a specific field of healthcare, but also has the open time schedule to treat the patient at a convenient time for both parties.

A recent report by Frost & Sullivan has also uncovered that health information exchanges (HIE) are becoming an integral part of emerging healthcare models, particularly by improving predictive diagnosis and population health management. As a result, the research group predicts that HIEs will become a staple part of most healthcare systems in the near future. While many HIEs currently offer separate, non-overlapping services, there is significant pressure on technology providers to deliver comprehensive HIEs that work on all fronts.



Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]




SHARE THIS ARTICLE



FREE eNewsletter

Click here to receive your targeted Healthcare Technology Community eNewsletter.
[Subscribe Now]