The modern world has largely gone digital, and healthcare is no exception. Digital health is a broad term encompassing all the different ways technology is used to support healthcare. But increasingly, the conversation surrounding digital health focuses on digital medicine or the use of technology in direct patient care. Here’s what you should know about digital health solutions and how they may impact your healthcare experience.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine, or remote healthcare, is becoming much more common. During the global pandemic, it was a safer way to treat patients who didn’t need in-person exams or tests. Today it remains popular with patients and providers for its convenience and accessibility.
Electronic health records
Electronic health records have become nearly ubiquitous in the United States, with 96% of hospitals and 75% of private practice clinicians having made the transition. They allow patients and providers to easily communicate and share records with each other, helping ensure continuity of care.
Other digital health solutions
Other common technologies used in modern healthcare include artificial intelligence, virtual or augmented reality, and wearable medical devices. Each of these plays an important role in healthcare. And there are other technologies that you may not see at all, because they’re working on the backend to keep care consistent.
Benefits of technology in healthcare
Digital health technologies offer quite a few benefits for patients, including:
- Easier to track progress toward health and fitness goals
- Streamlined records sharing between various facilities
- Proactive participation in your own healthcare journey
- Fewer in-person doctor visits
- Lowering barriers to access for those with transportation issues or other challenges
Disadvantages of digital healthcare
Nothing is perfect, and that includes the world of digital healthcare. Disadvantages for patients may include:
- Difficulty developing a strong doctor-patient bond
- Trouble navigating complex websites or mobile pages
- Potentially being shut out of some healthcare options due to a lack of internet service or ability to comfortably use technology
- Inability to conduct remote imaging or other testing
- Proactive or preventive healthcare may be hindered for people more comfortable interacting in person
It’s also a good idea to schedule an in-person check-in visit now and then, even if you normally see your providers virtually. For example, if your last couple of annual physicals were remote, you may want to schedule an in-person appointment for your next one. This gives you and your doctor the chance to get to know each other in a way that isn’t always possible through remote healthcare.