With new and emerging technologies, healthcare is undergoing digital transformation. As a result, efficiency and quality will increase. Additionally, the industry will continue to focus on regulatory compliance. As such, the top five trends in digital transformation in healthcare include TeleHealth & Virtual Doctor Visits, Patient Portals, Data Aggregation, and Health Wearables.
Health Wearables
Health Wearables are electronic devices that people wear to monitor their health and send that data to healthcare apps and providers. They can be used for diagnostics, health metric analysis, and many other applications. Today’s health wearables range from simple fitness trackers to temperature monitors and reproductive cycle trackers. More importantly, they’re beginning to play a growing role in managing chronic illnesses.
These devices can track a patient’s blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and other vitals without requiring a physical interaction. Remote monitoring health apps collect patient data passively and can be used to track patients even after they’ve been discharged from a hospital. Health professionals can analyze data from these devices to improve patient care and save costs.
Patient Portals
A systematic literature review of the impact of patient portals on patient health and care found mixed results. They were most effective for patients with chronic diseases and those included in a shared health care pathway, but their effect on health service utilization and quality is unclear. Only a few studies have addressed these questions.
Patient portals can help providers meet patient expectations for self-care and improved health outcomes. In addition to their efficiency, patient portals can also help improve patient engagement. Researchers found that a patient portal can reduce the stress of routine appointments and improve overall health outcomes.
Data Aggregation
Data aggregation is the process of gathering all patient data into one centralized repository. This information is then used to make better decisions for patient care. The benefit of data aggregation is that it removes human error and increases the speed of decision making. As a result, data aggregation improves patient care and lowers healthcare costs. In addition, this method helps save staff time by reducing paperwork and data entry.
Healthcare organizations are at the earliest stages of their journey to become composable enterprises. There are many strategies that healthcare organizations can take to improve their composability, including establishing enhanced data interoperability and preparing for on-demand services.
TeleHealth & Virtual Doctor Visits
Telehealth enables patients to access health care services from the comfort of their homes, thereby reducing travel time and distance. It can also improve communication and coordination of care. It can also offer patients advice on self-management of their health. Telehealth was especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will likely become more popular in the future. Some clinics are already experimenting with virtual doctor visits and remote care using this technology.
TeleHealth has some major challenges, however. One reported problem is that patients are not always engaged with the process. This is due to provider inability to reach patients and reduced confidentiality of consultations. Another potential challenge is the fact that patients might expect more frequent communication from their health care providers.
On-Demand Healthcare Apps
On-Demand Healthcare Apps are a popular choice among patients. They can schedule appointments when it suits them and access care at any time. These apps help patients connect with medical staff and doctors, improve patient care, and reduce costs. Moreover, they can also help doctors streamline their workflows.
This technology enables patients to manage their medical history and test results online. It eliminates the need to transfer medical records to different medical facilities. An example of such a platform is FollowMyHealth, a popular application among US citizens. It helps users keep track of general medicines and specialist visits. Users can also communicate with their doctors within the platform, and their doctors can access their complete medical history.On-Demand Healthcare Apps are a growing trend in the health industry. Creating these apps is a crucial way to improve patient care. They also help organizations improve their productivity, agility, responsiveness, and value. Whether or not you decide to launch such a product depends on your requirements and budget.
