The healthcare industry is witnessing an increasing investment in the last few years with the help of the digital Revolution. It is often regarded as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. The significant progress of digitization healthcare is quite evident in the Asia-Pacific region. With the influence of advanced technology, the concept of ‘Smart Hospital’ came alive in 2020. The global pandemic has triggered a situation where digital solutions for the healthcare industry became mandatory for all.
According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the Asia-Pacific region will witness a dramatic expansion of digitized healthcare in the coming years. As the number of connected devices is increasing rapidly, it has become an integral part of the healthcare and medical industry. Starting from Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) to Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), hospitals are becoming paperless through the surge of a digital revolution.
Top 4 digital initiatives that reshaped the healthcare industry
1. Telemedicine
Telemedicine is one of the most popular digital initiatives and is highly regarded by health care professionals. It allows patients to have the freedom of opting for healthcare services without worrying about their geographical location. There are many patients living in remote areas yet able to avail of medical services through their smartphones.
Telemedicine is a wise choice that helps to save money and time. The patients do not need to communicate with the doctor or hospital for follow-up. It is also great for mental health problems as professionals can treat their patients virtually or through tele-consulting.
2. Wearables and Bio-telemetry
Digitalized healthcare has made diagnostic procedure way more easy and accessible via smartphone. Those days are gone when patients had to wait at the clinic for simple tests. With the help of wearables and digital sensors; patients can easily assess various elements such as Blood glucose levels, blood pressure, ECG, Pulse rate, Oxygen saturation, and many others. All these can be regularly monitored via modern smartwatches and wearables like FitBit, Apple Watch, etc.
Bio telemetry creates a bridge between the healthcare professional and the patient by offering individual insights for all.
3. Virtual Rehabilitation
This is one of the newest concepts which was introduced back in 2016. It ensures regular therapy for the patients with the help of digital solutions and devices. It helps to monitor each patient’s activity, offering maximum benefits of a Rehabilitation Center. In order to do that, the patients need to wear digital devices and wearable sensors that offer real-time data to healthcare professionals. It helps to save a lot of time and cost as well since the therapists do not have to travel long distances for house calls. Instead, they are able to treat more patients within a small about of time. So, it is definitely a mutually beneficial option for both the professionals and patients as well.
4. Intelligent Fabric
Intelligent fabric technology helps to improve and reshape workplace design with the help of Artificial intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). It is one of the most advanced digital initiatives where AIs automatically take help the IT professionals through intelligent frameworks. It also facilitates self-attaching servers and self-configuration. With help of AI and VR; digital solutions are constantly upgrading.
Bottom Line
It is safe to say that Digitalized Healthcare Services is a mandatory need these days. It holds a lot of potentials and offers more effective and efficient ways of treatment. The synergy between human and Artificial Intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, etc digital initiatives can simplify healthcare services while offering better customer or patient interaction.
