By: Femi-Adeniyi Joshua
It is quite clear that in recent years, advances in health technology have changed and altered the healthcare system and its practices completely. Many people – patients and medical personnel alike – now make use of various forms of technology in the medical field such as digital health records, telemedicine platforms, wearable medical gadgets, the growing field of artificial intelligence, and genetic personalization. Although not just a revolution of technology limited to super-adavanced tools, but also how the world will fundamentally interact and use healthcare, how the general populace evolves and adapts to certain changes, as well as how it changes the way health as a concept is perceived.
Let us examine the digital health records system for a start. The digital health records system allows quick access to patient data without delay as oppose to the traditional mode. In result, it reduces errors and save time that would have been wasted in looking up files. It improves coordination among healthcare providers.
The quick ease and transparency this system affords increase the confidence of the patient in the healthcare system, because they too can access their record without contacting unnecessary protocols. While this transformation towards a more ‘digital’ landscape has its benefits, it also has a number of drawbacks. Data breaches and privacy issues are the most common issues. There is also the problem of how to deliver healthcare without revealing sensitive data.
Telemedicine, which refers to the provision of remote clinical services, through real-time two-way communication between the patient and the healthcare provider, has changed the dynamics of healthcare. People living far from health centers or hospitals and people with mobility challenges can seek health assistance from the comfort of their homes. The problem of distance between healthcare providers and patients has been notably solved by the capacity of telemedicine to deliver remote and non-contact treatment. However, this is not the case for every one because the level of technology needed to operate optimum telemedicine is acutely lacking in many areas. The digital divide i.e. lack of access to high speed internet and devices, further restricts its reach. It is debatably a challenge to deliver a virtual experience that is adequately on par with that of a physical treatment.
The resurgence of wearable technology has come hand in hand with the ability to carefully observe and monitor one’s health better than before. These devices include pedometers, smart-watches, heart rate monitors, with each having their own unique feature helps the user stay healthy. As a result, these devices have promoted a culture of preventive medicine, consequently promoting the reduction of healthcare costs in the future as problems would be detected earlier. However, the high dependence on health devices constantly can create anxiety as it may turn into an unhealthy obsession with numbers. Besides, it raises questions as to the safety of user data as well.
Artificial intelligence along with machine learning algorithms, have become rapidly spreading tools within the medical industry. This is because the medical industry finds AI as a very useful tool as it is capable of identifying diseases from CT scans or MRIs. Furthermore, AI is expected to improve the development of medications. Conversely, there are ethical considerations regarding decision-making transparency, the potential for AI bias, and the displacement of healthcare jobs, which could impact employment in the health sector.
Genomics is another promising field, facilitated by technology which promises customized medications based on one’s DNA. There is great hope for these advancements, especially in the fight against cancer and in the management of similar chronic diseases and also in pharmacogenomics, where drugs are prescribed based on genetic predispositions to drug response
Other advances such as robotics and 3D printing are also aiding improving medicine for the best. For instance, robots are carrying out surgical procedures with extreme accuracy, whereas 3D printing is being used to produce customized artificial limbs and in some cases even organs. Such technological development has the ability to change and save lives but expensive, which raises questions on whether such treatment will be available to everyone or just the wealthy few.
These changes extend far beyond simply hospitals and doctors’ offices – they are changing the very fabric of society itself. Patients have gained the ability to know more about their wellbeing and medical care is becoming functionally advanced. However, the volume of available information can often become too much, while maintaining protected health information is another problem in itself.
As we integrate AI and other digital technologies into healthcare, we must ensure that patients’ sensitive information remains secure and confidential. Moreover, we need to guarantee that these innovations are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. Finally, we must work to make these cutting-edge technologies affordable for everyone, without exacerbating existing healthcare disparities.
It is quite clear that this era is a watershed era for all parties involved in healthcare – politicians, policy makers, medical scientists, healthcare professionals, patients – and requires caution in engagement.
