The recent throes of the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the inadequacies of our healthcare system. Overburdened hospitals and healthcare systems encumbered millions of patients from accessing healthcare. Multitudes of non-Covid-19 patients steered clear of bursting hospitals to avoid the risk of being infected. The global pandemic also exacerbated the grim reality of patients in remote and rural regions of the country. As a result, the communication gap between patients and doctors has magnified. However, a silver lining in this crisis can be found in the technological acceleration and ground-breaking innovations reshaping the world. In these trying times, technology has emerged as a cure-all for all healthcare entities, from doctors to patients. Virtual consultation, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), digital prescriptions, medical wearables, among others, are providing solutions to some of healthcare’s most daunting challenges.
Virtual Care
Virtual reality has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Virtual consultation cleared several roadblocks as the pandemic restricted millions of patients from communicating with their doctors and care providers. From booking appointments online to connecting with doctors virtually, patients can communicate with their doctors from anywhere. When patients book appointments online and consult with doctors via video calls, they no longer have to wait in queues or visit the doctor. As a result, not only do patients save time and money, but doctors can also attend to more patients in a lesser time. Reduced patient flow and virtual consultation also help unburden the healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes.
Mobile Mental Health Support
Technology has opened a new horizon in mental health support and data collection. The ubiquity of smartphones, tablets and the internet has enabled patients to seek mental health treatment online through virtual therapy. The demand for mental health apps and platforms where patients can get help through video therapy sessions, text messaging etc., has grown astronomically in recent years. Virtual therapy is incredibly convenient for busy patients or those who live in remote, rural areas with limited access to therapy and treatment. As a result, the stigma around mental health is slowly diminishing and so is the cost of therapy. Web therapists need not invest in a brick-and-mortar clinic or bear paperwork expenses, and these savings can be passed on to the patients. Mobile mental health support provides round-the-clock access and confidentiality, due to which patients who were earlier hesitant to seek treatment are now able to get the necessary help.
Preventive Healthcare Models
Healthcare crisis like coronavirus has revealed that it is no longer viable to follow the “sick care” health model. To future-proof our healthcare systems from emergencies of such magnitude, it is only prudent that we transition from sick care to preventive care. With the help of technology, we can build platforms and systems that focus on prevention and health assurance. This would save months’ worth of work for clinics and hospitals, free their tight schedules, and make hospitals a safer place to treat acutely sick people. Preventive healthcare models also enable us to mitigate the negative secondary impacts of an overwhelmed healthcare system responding to emergencies and crises.
Remote Monitoring
Perhaps the best way to bridge the doctor-patient communication gap through technology is remote monitoring. It is not feasible for patients to visit doctors frequently especially, in a pandemic, but with the help of remote monitoring, the need for patients to see doctors can be reduced altogether. A selection of medical wearables that monitor patients’ health continuously provides doctors insights into the patient’s data regularly. This data can be stored electronically and accessed by doctors anytime to monitor their patient’s health and identify any underlying health conditions. It also helps educate patients and make them aware of their day-to-day health, thereby encouraging them to take discretionary steps towards their wellbeing. This not only reduces the doctor-patient communication gap but also improves patient outcomes and, ultimately, the healthcare system.
Final Thoughts
Technology in healthcare is transforming the doctor-patient relationship and enabling the sector to leapfrog the vast gaps in communication, infrastructure and accessibility. With the introduction and practice of telemedicine, virtual care and remote monitoring, patients find themselves closer to doctors than ever before. While there is optimism towards technology, there is also scepticism about it disrupting and replacing existing stakeholders. Regulated and thoughtful use of technology can mend our broken healthcare system and save countless lives.
By-Shashvat Tripathi, Co-Founder at Visit
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly)