The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way we look at healthcare – and how we receive it. As travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines set in, many patients around the world are turning to telemedicine, the digital transformation of healthcare. With a convenient, easy-to-use interface, telemedicine is bringing healthcare to our fingertips in unprecedented ways. From consultation to diagnosis and health monitoring – it’s all at your fingertips. Let’s take a look at this exciting new development in the healthcare industry and explore the opportunities it brings.
1. The New Normal: Experiencing Healthcare from Home
As we strive to maintain social distancing and follow our new normal, it’s important to note that healthcare professionals across the globe are doing their part to ensure access to health care resources and services. There are many ways we can access healthcare from our homes, and the options are becoming increasingly accessible.
Virtual Appointments
Firstly, virtual appointments are becoming a popular option for receiving healthcare advice and managing healthcare issues. Many healthcare providers are now offering virtual appointments via applications such as Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime. This is making it easier for patients to access healthcare advice and speak to their providers without having to visit a physical location.
Online Medication and Delivery Services
Secondly, online medication and delivery services enable us to purchase medication and receive delivery directly to our homes. This is becoming increasingly popular as technology is making it easier to order medication online. Additionally, many drug stores are now offering delivery services to their customers who may not be able to leave their homes due to health circumstances.
Telemedicine
Thirdly, telemedicine is becoming an important method for healthcare providers and patients to connect. A telemedicine visit enables a provider to get to know a patient and provide them with healthcare advice and information without having the patient present in person. This is beneficial to both parties, as the patient can receive healthcare advice and the provider can offer follow-up visits over phone or video.
Self-care at Home
Finally, taking care of ourselves at home is key to our overall health and wellbeing. Taking time to relax, pursue new hobbies, create healthy habits, eat well, and get regular exercise are all important when it comes to protecting our physical and mental health. Additionally, there are many at-home healthcare resources that can be utilized to get helpful tips and advice.
- Create a daily routine
- Rest and prioritize sleep
- Reach out for help when feeling overwhelmed
- Monitor nutrition and health markers
- Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
These options are just some of the ways we can access healthcare from home during our new norm. As technology continues to provide us with more accessible options, the healthcare system is evolving to meet our changing needs.
2. The Growing Adoption of Telemedicine
The surge in the use of telemedicine has picked up pace in recent times. People appreciate the convenience and accessibility of it. For those requiring medical consultation, telemedicine offers a safe and private space for them to seek advice and care.
In many cases, it is the preferred choice as it allows patients to consult doctors without having to wait in long queues, travel to far-off locations and miss work. Even a few years ago, telemedicine was considered experimental. Its impact has now been clearly seen and is steadily gaining unanimous acceptance.
The Benefits of Telemedicine
- Its flexibility permits diagnosis and medical advice from the comfort of one’s home.
- Eliminates the risk of exposure to contagious diseases in hospitals.
- Follow-up appointments become more simplified.
- Tests and other medical records can be promptly shared.
- Lowers burden on hospitals and works as an extra support system.
technology is now providing us with better options to manage our health. With the right resources, companies are launching products that facilitate telemedicine. The growth of this service has made way for more efficiency and access to better healthcare services.
Telemedicine’s popularity as an intuitive and convenient service is undeniable. Its growth has surpassed all expectations for health practitioners, caregivers and beneficiaries alike. There’s never been a better time to take advantage of telemedicine.
3. Harnessing Technology to Benefit Health and Wellness
As technology continues to advance, so too do the possibilities for improved health and wellness. Here are three ways you can use technology to your advantage:
- Play more: Contrary to societal expectations, technology can be a powerful tool in helping you have fun and become more active. Smartphones make loads of sports and recreation games easily accessible, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities without leaving your home. Whether you prefer a challenging game of table tennis, beach volleyball, or even the classic game of catch, you can find it all on your phone.
- Track your progress: Health and wellness apps can make it easier to keep track of your progress and motivate you to reach your goals. You can keep track of physical activity, as well as food and water intake, sleep patterns, and more. By having an all-encompassing overview of your physical activity, you can better assess where you are and set goals to keep improving.
- Connect with others: It’s important to implement habits of self-care and physical activity, but it can be even more impactful to have a supportive group of family and friends with whom you can share your progress. Through social networking, you can receive feedback from your peers and have more eyes on your goals, helping you stay accountable and preventing you from giving up. Plus, social media is a great place to connect with new people to achieve your wellness goals together.
Technology is no longer a barrier to achieving your dreams; instead, it can be a major asset in your wellness journey. With all the tools available at your disposal, there’s no limit to how healthy and fit you can become.
4. Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Delivery
COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to the healthcare system, and the need to rethink healthcare delivery has never been more urgent. Despite the challenges, the crisis has offered us the opportunity to dream about a better future for healthcare.
Predictive analytics is a tool that has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare services. With predictive analytics, healthcare providers can anticipate patient needs and intervene before a problem escalates. This means that healthcare professionals and hospitals can be proactive in coordinating care and reducing the cost of healthcare.
- Virtual Care Services: Virtual healthcare, in the form of telemedicine, is gaining in popularity. This form of remote healthcare delivery can be a convenient and cost-effective option for patients to access care. Virtual care services have the potential to reduce wait times, provide convenient access to specialists, and bring healthcare services to rural and underserved areas.
- AI-Driven Care: Artificial intelligence has already begun to revolutionize healthcare delivery. AI-driven care leverages machine learning and predictive analytics to provide proactive and personalized care for each patient. AI-based mobile health assistants can provide digital reminders for medication adherence and monitor the vital signs of chronic patients.
- Robotic Process Automation: Robotic process automation, or RPA, is a form of artificial intelligence that can automate mundane tasks. This technology enables healthcare professionals to quickly and efficiently complete administrative tasks, freeing up time to focus on patient care.
Though there is much work to be done to improve the healthcare system, innovations such as predictive analytics, virtual care services, AI-driven care, and RPA offer hope for a more efficient and effective healthcare system. With technology enfolding itself into healthcare, we can start to imagine an entirely new future for healthcare delivery.
In the near future, Telemedicine will revolutionize the practice of healthcare, making it even easier for people to access experienced, professional healthcare, no matter where they are. No longer will long waits, inconvenient appointment times, or distance stand in the way of good healthcare. Bringing healthcare to our fingertips has never been easier – and more welcoming!
