Everything has taken the digital route in the post-Covid world. The healthcare industry has not been behind. Digitization in healthcare has opened brand new doors for medical practitioners and business owners. They now know that they must look at the healthcare industry as a possible option for investment and growth. The pandemic has been a stern reminder for letting consumers know that they must look for effective ways to look after their health. That too when they are restricted to their homes.
Digitization in healthcare does not only mean people will see innovations. More importantly, this transition means healthcare will become more accessible. It will be a win-win situation for people that are already working in the field and for the ones that are at the receiving end. It is definitely not a shocker that most people do not even have the time to get a general check-up.
They wait for a miraculous solution without having to leave their comfort zone. The branching out of healthcare towards going digital will be seen as a ground-breaking action that will benefit society and bring ease to situations that have been difficult to handle.
Before we discuss the inventions in digitization in healthcare, let’s understand what the term really means.
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What Is Digitization In Healthcare?
For everyone to grasp the concept easily, digitization in healthcare is when healthcare and technology join forces. Undoubtedly, healthcare is also viewed from a business point of view. And when a business is formed, it’s a no-brainer that it has to undergo the digital route one day. Though healthcare has been reserved in expanding to modern concepts in terms of its implementation, the digital impact has been truly promising.
Much of this also concerns customer preferences and how the world changes daily. People want instant answers to their problems. They cannot afford to wait in queues to get their reports.
A quick example of how digital healthcare works is when reports are sent as a PDF to the patient. Nobody needs to do anything. A single trip to the clinic cuts the deal and the reports are sent via message to the patient.
Another superb example is the creation of healthcare apps. When people cannot afford a personal trainer or a medical practitioner, they resort to these apps, which ask for their health details and create plans to monitor their well-being and advise on how they can thrive as human beings.
Some apps that have had a ground-breaking impact are:
CardMedic
This app has been revolutionary in bridging the gap between doctors and patients. It allows users to form an error-free and personalized profile where they can link up with their desired doctors. It’s all about personal choice. Imagine what could be better than choosing a doctor that suits your condition and preferences.
An excellent feature of Cardmedic is that it has an option for sign language so that no one feels left out. Obviously, medical attention is everyone’s right, and Cardmedic ensures that they treat everyone transparently.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a household app for people who are looking for a one-stop solution when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle. It is more like a journal that instantly hooks the users on it. From meal plans to exercise routines, this app makes it so easy for everyone to find their comfort zone.
It has a more relatable approach where it gives margin to its users for finding what could suit them the most. MyFitnessPal considers that every user has different needs and is extremely detailed. This way, users receive helpful information and enjoy an individual experience as well.
Siilo
Digitization in healthcare also means the aim is to bring ease to healthcare providers. And this app does just that. With Siilo, doctors and healthcare professionals can communicate via various social media channels. The purpose is to connect with other experts in their fields.
Networking is always a good idea, and there is no dead end when it comes to that. Siilo is specially designed for medical workers aiming to expand their horizons by making correspondence a dream.
Better Help
Mental health is the most important factor when it comes to personal well-being. And to reach out to professional guidance is always helpful. Better Help does justice to its name and provides help to people via online counselling. Society is still moving towards understanding that mental health is an important concern.
And people have such a hard time admitting that they are going through a stressful time. This app has been ground-breaking in understanding this issue and seeks to provide safety to its users. Not everyone has the means to go see a therapist. Moreover, such spaces cannot be entirely safe because of how people now view them.
Better Help disregards all barriers and offers a safe experience where users can look up profiles of counsellors and pick the ones they feel most inclined towards. Remember, this app does not scam users at all and ensures that all counsellors and therapists are certified.
MDAcne
Healthcare does not exclude any category, and neither does the digital world. When healthcare pairs with technology, it is a given that it will be available for all concerns. Skincare is one of them. MDAcne is a superb app that takes all skincare issues into concern and instantly links its users with professional dermatologists.
The best part about this app is that it seeks information and gives a solution in under five minutes. What could be better than this? All you have to do is install the app, type out your issue and get guidance within minutes.
It only gets better. This app provides a special solution for every concern and has an in-built feature for future reminders in terms of skincare. Skincare is different for everybody. And this app understands that everyone cannot afford treatment. Natural remedies and budget-friendly recommendations are also given so that every user feels like their skincare related issues can be sorted.
Benefits Of Digitization In Healthcare
More Employment Opportunities
Healthcare taking the digital route has led to a drastic change in employment. Yes, there is always a need for doctors, but some medical experts find it hard to look for the correct medium.
Digitization helps bring commercial value to their practice and allows them to connect with patients on a broader scale. Some doctors feel it is even more difficult to survive in the field, and when they run out of options, they believe they were not meant for this journey. Digitization in healthcare has helped create multiple new ways so that everyone can have their own place and make the most of it.
People do not even have to set up clinics anymore. If they have a promising profile, they can get patients with just one click. All they need to do is learn how things work online and look at it from a business point of view. And if this works out for them, it will mean that they have to make a team so that their online clinic thrives. This means more employment opportunities for people that will assist them in making it a reality.
Secured Records
Finding an old report or tracking medical history can be a pressurizing task. With healthcare choosing to take the digital path, data is completely secured by being backed up. In times of an emergency, finding reports and records is super stressful.
Now that hospitals and clinics have bid farewell to traditional ways, they keep these records in an online file system and can track them, get information and protect data from being lost.
Digital Healthcare Is Cost-Effective
Medical treatments can surely cause a dent in your pocket. Frequent trips to the hospital and getting treatment is an exhausting experience. Not only does it tire the patient but puts an undue strain on their finances. With digital healthcare, prevention is a possibility, and it is extremely cost-effective.
Imagine just building a profile on an app for your concerns, getting the required guidance and finding a solution. This is ideal as opposed to making trips to a clinic and paying ungodly amounts for every check-up. It is evident that people are looking for new ways to take care of themselves, and digital healthcare is making that possible.
Is This The Future?
Healthcare sticking to the digital world is the need of the hour. Without question, it is here to stay. People, in general, have varying concerns. But most importantly, they want healthcare to be available in many ways. Digitization within healthcare makes it possible to cater to audiences on a larger scale.
The pandemic has been a reminder to think of ways where people can monitor their health with lesser options. That is when the digital arena came to the rescue. Now that healthcare technology is a norm, we can only imagine what it brings for the future. But it’s safe to say it will only get bigger and better!
Featured Image: Patient Engagement Hit