4 Trends in Digital Health to Keep an Eye On in 2018
Digital health technologies are changing healthcare for good. The sector is of interest to healthcare professionals and investors. According to Rock Health, the first half of 2017 has seen a record-breaking year in terms of digital health investments. During the first half, $3.5 billion was invested in a range of digital health companies from health insurance companies to service providers.
With investment boosting innovation, what can you expect from the sector next year? Here are four trends in digital health to keep an eye on in 2018.
Data to become better integrated and analysed
Big data continues to dominate the discussion around technology and digital health is no different.
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This kind of early intervention is going to lead to improved success rates but also reduce cost of treatment. End of care treatment is often much higher in cost than early intervention – certain issues can be improved simply with free lifestyle changes such as better quality sleep and nutrition.
Interventions are also not just going to be about big data. Technology will also improve to mean some interventions are digital – actual digital products will be used to improve patient care. Already things such as gene therapy and monitoring implants are used to administer drugs and help cure disease. The use of these types of technologies is likely to going to increase in 2018. This sector is developing rapidly and it encompasses a range of things so analysing it further is difficult in advance.
Insurance to start focusing on behavioural health
One of the most notable things in 2017 has been the shift in dealing with mental health issues. Numerous campaigns around the world are trying to reduce the stigma associated with problems such as depression. There has also been recognition that mental health problems can have devastating consequences to society as a whole if these issues go unsolved. Companies understand that they shouldn’t just focus on employees’ physical health but also treat the mind – it can help improve productivity and talent retention.
This enhanced focus on the behavioural health is likely to spill over to
DQ2. What future trends in our society, in technology, and in the healthcare industry will have the most significant impact on the work of the health informatician? Be sure to support your response with good evidence.
Health information technology (HIT) is revolutionizing the way we interact with health-related data. One example of this is the obvious rise in
Advances in modern technology surrounds us in our day to day lives, allowing conveniences and efficiency at our fingertips. Great strides have been made over the years with technology, and the healthcare industry along with many other industries have adopted this new way of functioning; electronically. The effects of technology have come to the forefront in where our government has acknowledged the benefits and opportunities. “The promise of Health Information Technology for improving quality and safety of health care while reducing costs has caught the eye of policy makers and other leaders in health care” (Hersh, 2006). It deeply affects how we connect, interact, and communicate internally and externally, but also gives us a sense of control on how we engage ourselves to the innovative software and systems.
Over the next decade, significant advances were made on the technology front, and in 2009 president Obama signed into law The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). The HITECH Act introduced the concept of “meaningful use” as a way to
Medical technology encompasses a wide range of healthcare products and is used to diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases or medical conditions that affect humans. This may included but not limited too, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical equipment. Such technologies are intended to improve the quality of healthcare delivered through earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options and reductions in hospital stays and rehabilitation times. Recent advances in medical technology have also focused on cost reduction. Medical technology may include medical devices, information technology, biotech, and healthcare services. The impacts of medical technology may involve social and ethical issues. For example physicians may seek objective information from technology rather than listening to subjective patient reports. A major contributor of healthcare expenditure in America is the advancement of medical technology. According to several studies it is shown that there is a correlation between the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and money allocated to healthcare. One of the leading theories is that medical technology is growing faster than expected.
Disruptive technologies have played a significant role through the ages in leapfrogging the paradigms of healthcare systems
According to Health IT News (2016) Digital technologies have improved care delivery in a number of areas. Providers need to align Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and health management systems with consumer’s needs. Portability and easy access of an EHR system are necessary to empower consumers to engage in their care plan. The following examples indicates how health care providers could align technologies with consumer demand:
I remember growing up when someone was diagnosed with cancer, HIV/AIDs as well as other critical diseases and illness, they were known to be a death sentence. We all know that the major changes that are taking place in world are technology, health care cost and coverage and research. This includes the healthcare sector. According to the text, “By far, the key driver of potential change in the health system is emerging technology and medical know-how” (Knickman, Jonas & Kovner, 2015, p. 335). With advance medical research through the use of technology, researchers continue to save numerous lives. I believe the Electronic health record and the patient engagement tools will continue to make a significant change in health care delivery. Individuals’ lifespan is expected to increase due to technology and research. With the advancement of medical research, prevention and interventions will prove to be a significant change and impact in the medical field. The text states, “Will patients be expected to pay for the prevention-oriented interventions themselves, rather than through insurance?” (Knickman, Jonas & Kovner, 2015, p. 335).
The changes that I see in the future of informatics and technology, is the improving patient safety, fewer medication disparities,
This definition not only highlights the common theme mentioned above but stresses the need for continuous development or adoption of technology to support the goal of e-Health. So why the need to investments in e-Health? US healthcare spending has significantly increased faster than any other country. Despite this spending, the US achieves the worst outcome of the top 13 high-income countries on chronic conditions, obesity and infant mortality (Mangan, 2015). Treatment of Chronic disease accounts for 78% of the Country’s healthcare expenditure, but there are various barriers hindering appropriate treatment for these patients. These barriers can result in delays
Healthcare advertising and marketing has considered many changes over the final few years. main that charge has been the growth of digital tactics in healthcare advertising and marketing plans. Digital will continue to develop, and healthcare entrepreneurs need to understand what else is on the horizon.
Firms are taking advantage of the digital revolution world over. However, the health industry has been slow to take up the digital opportunity. Many others that have gone online are stuck in low traffic or high bounce rate. The inability to come up with innovative ways to get the patients to interact with the hospital website leads to several missed opportunities. A recent survey shows that more than sixty percent of the interviewed patients would like to communicate with their physicians with any form of digital platforms. However, less than forty percent of hospitals are able to achieve this level of interaction.
Different countries have continued to make advancements of wellbeing data frameworks, healing facilities, and various technological advancements to help the health sector deliver more appropriate and satisfactory healthcare services. ICT improvement in the field of health care has not only been a major breakthrough, it has also saved more lives.
The report presents a preponderance of clinical support for the growth of digital health efficacy. There are now at least 571 published studies that the report classified as evidence of digital health efficacy, and they include a sizable quantity of meta-analysis studies and randomized controlled trials.
As the technology improves, the information and the patient care will also improve. We are in the mobile digital devices age, from smartphones, tablets to e-readers, they have a rapid and profound impact in our daily lives. With this in mind, we can position a similar effect on the future of healthcare because of Information technology. One example is the cellphone app to measure your heartbeat or the one app that I use almost every day is the My Fitness Pal app that helps you keep track of your daily calories, salt, sugar and fat. The Fitbit keep track of your diet and