Access to healthcare is just one area that has been affected by advancements in technology. The technologies used in healthcare are allowing people to receive the care they need easily and when they need it for better healthcare outcomes. These technologies are also helping reduce healthcare costs, improve the quality of care and increase efficiency. Here are some of the technologies being used this way and having the most impact.
Chatbots
Chatbots are already being used in numerous industries including hospitality and retail. Because they are so effective there, they are also being adopted in healthcare. In these use cases, they are being used to help patients get answers at unconventional hours or when a doctor is not available.
These chatbots use artificial intelligence and massive collections of data that help them improve, become more intelligent, and provide better answers over time. Because these chatbots can “learn”, they can also tailor their responses to better cater to the needs of individual patients.
Frictionless Payment Integrations
As the number of baby boomers increases, the number of people who rely on Medicare for their medication and other products increases. Because of the ages of the patients involved, access to the medications and products they require should be easy and with as little friction as possible.
Frictionless payment options that integrate different payment options are becoming more popular with seniors and the healthcare facilities that provide them with the products and medications they need. These options are making it easier for health plan members to purchase Medline OTC products. Members are allowed to make these purchases at home, in-store, or over the phone so they can use the options that are most convenient for them.
Making things easier and frictionless like this will improve health outcomes as more people will have easier access to the medications they need.
Digital Whiteboards
Caregivers and other healthcare professionals want up-to-date information on their patients at all times. In the past, this information was written on whiteboards that would have to be erased in case new information was to be added. Now, many hospitals are using digital whiteboards.
These whiteboards connect to a patient’s health records and can be updated digitally and remotely. These features mean there is no need to erase whiteboards anymore and doctors always have all the information they require.
Some of these systems are sophisticated enough to provide additional information such as pain scores, scheduled tests, fall risks, and other patient information.
Personalized Care Apps
Most people are familiar with wearables that help capture patient information. Personalized care apps work with these devices to help with the management of complex medical issues.
Many patients have a hard time keeping up with their care and medication, especially if there are a lot of instructions to follow. These apps make things easier by providing the information needed when they need it. This helps reduce the mental overload that often makes things a lot harder for patients transitioning to self-care after being under the care of doctors for a long time.
Exciting technologies are emerging every day that help make the care and management of patients easier. These technologies are leading to better patient outcomes, and we can expect these results to improve as developers and other stakeholders put more effort into them.
