Over the space of just a few decades, technology has completely transformed the way we live our lives. Technology has given us the chance to advance further than we ever have before, which has paved the way for things like better healthcare. Healthcare and technology work extremely well together and constantly new forms of technology can be used within a healthcare setting.
One of the best ways that technology is used in healthcare is by improving patient care. Anyone who works in a healthcare setting knows that improving patient care is a number one priority, so if there is a new technology that can benefit patients, then we should definitely take advantage of it. In this article, we will go over some ways that technology can be used within a healthcare setting, and in each point, we will explain how this technology can improve patient care. If you work within the healthcare industry or you have an interest in healthcare technology, then this article could be useful for you. Keep on reading to find out more.
Online Booking Systems
Having online booking systems is one of the simplest ways that technology can be used to improve patient care. Trying to make an appointment at the doctor’s or at a medical clinic can sometimes be a real task, especially when you have to wait for ages on the phone to speak to someone. In some cases, speaking to someone on the phone is a lot easier as it allows you to ask questions. However, if you just want to schedule a routine check-in, then it would be far more efficient to book your appointment directly online. Booking online means you can see the free spaces available, allowing you to book appointments when convenient for you.
Not only does this save the patients a lot of time, but it can decrease the amount of telephone traffic receptionists receive. This can free up a huge amount of time and means that receptionists can use that free time to complete other tasks. Instead of wasting hours of the day booking appointments, they can instead spend time helping patients directly. Having an online booking system may seem like an obvious thing to have in a healthcare facility, but you would be surprised to know just how many facilities are behind the times. Something as simple as being able to book appointments online will improve patient care and the general organization of a healthcare center.
Improving Global Health
In 2020, we faced a global pandemic that fundamentally altered our way of living. Being able to manage global health crises such as COVID-19 is so important, as it is crucial that we minimize the number of casualties. However, pandemics are not the only global health issue that we are facing. Serious concerns like Ebola and HIV/AIDS are still rampant within the world, so we must work together to come up with effective solutions. Through technology, we are able to improve the care of patients who are suffering from things like Ebola or HIV, as we have the ability to develop better treatments and medications. Technology allows us to produce treatments and medicines a lot faster and a lot cheaper, which ultimately makes them more accessible.
Understanding what steps can be taken to improve global health is so important, as we must find ways to treat those who are suffering the most. As well as studying different medicines or developing technology, there are also online courses that can teach people about global health delivery. Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) has a global health delivery online short course where you can gain a certificate in global health delivery. Understanding how to deliver global health is crucial in improving healthcare for everyone, as it means we can introduce more effective methods of treating global health crises.
Automate Some Processes
Another way that technology can be used within a healthcare setting is by automating some processes. There is a lot that goes on within a healthcare facility and staff members have many daily tasks that need to be completed. Having to complete menial tasks can waste a lot of time, time that could be spent caring for patients. By automating some processes within a healthcare facility, you are freeing up more time for staff to care for their patients, which benefits everyone.
There are a number of different services within a healthcare setting that can be automated. As mentioned previously, using an online booking system is a great idea as it allows patients to book appointments themselves, instead of having to call and speak to a receptionist. In addition to this, just being able to access all healthcare services online will be a huge benefit to patients, as it means they can find helpful information online. As we move into a digital world, the healthcare industry must be taking advantage of technology and using it to improve how patients receive care. You may not think that something as simple as having access to online information is much, but in the grand scheme of things, it allows patients to learn more about their symptoms and what help is available.
Remote Healthcare Services
During the pandemic, many health services were forced to become remote, as lockdowns prevented people from leaving their houses. While this was a major disruption, to begin with, it also taught us how easy it could be to provide remote healthcare services to people. Not everyone is able to leave the house and attend an appointment easily, so if remote healthcare becomes more mainstream, it means that healthcare becomes accessible to more people. Accessibility within healthcare is so important, but many people often go without healthcare because they simply cannot access the needed services. By establishing remote healthcare globally, it allows everyone to receive proper care. No individual worldwide should be left to feel like they can’t access healthcare.
Simple things like being able to video call your doctor or have a therapy session online can make a huge difference in people’s lives. For someone who suffers from major anxiety, it can be impossible to get out of the house and go to an appointment, so if you can access treatment from home, then it solves a lot of problems. Additionally, if you just needed some advice from a doctor about something small, it would be beneficial if you could give them a quick video call and they could assess the issue over the phone. Not only does this benefit the patients on the phone, but it will also free up physical doctor appointments for those who really need them.
Summary
As technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see better technology being used in the healthcare industry. We have already come so far just in the last few years, so it is exciting to see just how advanced healthcare tech will become in the future. Throughout this article, we have gone over a few ways that technology can improve patient care, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. Technology can improve healthcare in numerous ways, and it will only get better in time.
