Over the last 20 years the healthcare industry has made enormous technological advances that have changed how it delivers care to patients. From the easy access of online medical records for doctors and patients to the convenience of patients being able to have virtual doctor visits right from their phones, digital tools are commonplace in today’s healthcare system. And they’re evolving every day.
With greater access to online patient portals and healthcare records, 70% of patients say that they have become more engaged with their healthcare during the past two years.
Portals, virtual visits and wearables
Today’s technological advancements offer valuable tools for doctors to engage and empower their patients. Plus, digital tools that go beyond the doctor’s office are now part of everyday life.
- Online health portals allow patients to see test results and medical records, schedule appointments, request refills, and so much more.
- Wearables can help patients monitor glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, sleeping patterns and more.
- Telemedicine may improve access to care while also lowering costs. Although doctors and patients are slow to adopt virtual technology, the number of telemedicine visits have increased since 2010 and more employers are covering it than ever before.
Ensuring patient safety while encouraging innovation
FDA guidelines: As patients and their health care professionals increasingly embrace digital health technologies, the FDA has drafted guidance for both support and medical software to ensure security. These guidelines encourage developers to create, adapt, and expand the functionality of their software to support providers in diagnosing and treating diseases, while also ensuring there’s no unacceptable risk to the patient.
A consumer-driven future: The adoption of digital tools by those in the medical industry clearly indicates that the future of health care will be personalized, consumer-focused, and use technology to reduce costs and improve outcomes.