Health care technology can help improve patient care

Technology has changed all aspects of the way we live – how we shop, where we get our information and entertainment, and how we interact with others. No place is this more evident than in health care and how doctors and hospitals treat their patients. Paper charts and handwritten prescriptions are a thing of past. Health care providers can now deliver more efficient, effective and personalized care to their patients through the use of technology.

Virtual care

Virtual care, once an image of “health care to come,” has become a significant part of peoples’ daily lives. It allows patients to receive medical care remotely, using tools such as video conferencing, remote patient monitoring and online consultations. The technology really came into its own during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people sought care without contact.

It has its limitations, particularly when people require more acute care or have conditions that need hands-on medical treatment. Despite its challenges, though, virtual care helps people get access to the health care system when they may not be able to get to a doctor and when they require only basic care and advice.

Wearable technology

Wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, can monitor a patient's vital signs, track physical activity and detect abnormalities in physiological function. This data can be used to identify potential health issues early, enabling health care providers to intervene before they become more serious. Wearable technology also helps patients take a more active role in their health management, enabling them to monitor their health and make lifestyle changes that can improve their overall health and well-being.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

AI and machine learning are being used in health care to help improve patient outcomes. By analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns that may be missed by human analysts, the technology can improve diagnostic accuracy, predict patient outcomes and help develop treatment plans. For example, AI algorithms can analyze medical images to identify abnormalities that may be indicative of disease, enabling health care providers to make more accurate diagnoses and develop more effective treatment plans.

Using technology to address social determinants of health

Social determinants of health, such as economic stability, education, neighborhood and physical environment, and social support networks, are increasingly being recognized as important factors in patient health outcomes. Health care organizations are looking at these factors by partnering with community organizations and developing programs that focus on the social needs of their patients. For example, health care providers may partner with community organizations to provide housing assistance, food assistance or transportation services to patients who need them.

Health care technology, when used appropriately, can help improve outcomes, potentially reduce costs and provide a better experience for everyone involved. As it continues to evolve, it will be critical for all parties to work together to use the technology to help improve patient care.

For more information, see the links below:

Digital Health Leadership | Digital Health Technologies | AMA (ama-assn.org)

Health Information Technology | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)

Wearable Health Devices in Health Care: Narrative Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov)

How Digital Technologies Are Changing Health Care | Harvard Medicine Magazine

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