Digital health applies modern technology solutions across the medical field by incorporating software and hardware systems to the everyday practices of practitioners, researchers, patients, technicians, manufacturers, and beyond.
At its foundation, digital health technology heavily relies on the collection of patients’ data, the recording of that data to electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs), and the action of that data in practitioner-patient relationships.
This article introduces some of the foundational applications of digital health and examines the intrinsic value of this revolution to its users.
Modern Digital Health Innovations
Medical Record Administration
At the end of the 20th century, nearly all medical records still consisted of hardcopy (paper) documents that were not easily transferred or managed. Luckily, information and communication technology has greatly improved medical health record accuracy, security, and transferability. Today, nearly all modern medical records are now documented as electronic medical records (EMRs). Thanks to the advent of the internet and advances in software applications, digital health technology has redefined medical record administration in under two decades.
Telehealth and Virtual Visits
As video conferencing tools and high-bandwidth communication have become increasingly accessible, telehealth technology has paved new ground towards making general and acute care accessible to people virtually. Modern communication infrastructure allows for doctors, nurses, and administrators to virtually contact, diagnose, and treat patients for a variety of ailments. This relatively new method of treatment has made it significantly easier for the medical industry to help patients faster and provide a highly optimized experience for the practitioner and patients alike.
Wearable and Remote Monitoring Devices
Perhaps the most innovative breakthrough in the digital health space is wearable and remote monitoring devices. These devices are utilized to collect data on specific bodily functions and provide that data to a provider. The recent development and adoption of remote monitoring devices spans a wide range of user applications and can remotely provide information on a patient’s blood pressure, blood sugar levels, blood oxygen levels, ECG information, eye pressure levels, body temperature, weight, sleep, and activity levels.
With this monitoring information, practitioners can remotely assess this data to identify fluctuations and irregularities in their patients without having to evaluate them face-to-face. While many patients may prefer in-person visits, remote monitoring devices give access to diagnostic tools that may have never been accessible to them, such as with immobile patients or those in remote and rural communities.
The recent development of these remote monitoring devices has been fueled by large advances in sensor, processing, and wireless communication technology. Wearable and remote health monitoring devices utilize an array of complex, purpose-built sensors that are powerful enough to be accurate yet small enough to be modular and mobile. Learn more about how sensor technology is revolutionizing digital health.
Healthcare Analytics and Informatics
Lastly, modern computing systems can process and analyze the vast amount of data that is created from the above digital health innovations, as well as integrate it all into a single software application that is valuable for all the various users. For example, when a remote monitoring device collects 10 days of ECG data from a patient in a remote location, that data can be automatically processed by machine learning algorithms to identify abnormalities. These abnormalities can be elevated for analysis by a trained medical practitioner, who can then integrate that information into the patient’s electronic medical records. If the practitioner chooses to make a diagnosis or issue treatment to the patient, they can then virtually communicate with the patient via a telehealth visit. Generally, this entire process can happen in a single proprietary application, making the entire process seamless for all users involved.
The Benefits of Digital Health Care
There has been steady adoption of digital health care all around the world over the last two decades. Emerging technological advancements are sure to fuel even further innovation and continue to deliver value to patients, practitioners, and medical organizations. Digital health aims to optimize the medical industry by reducing costs, adding value for users, and improving health care and outcomes.
