It’s no secret that businesses from every industry are implementing digital transformation strategies in order to improve productivity and customer experience. Specifically in healthcare, technology is helping us to live longer, healthier, more productive lives. Here are a few technology trends that are transforming healthcare in 2019.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a relatively new concept in the healthcare industry that refers to remote patient monitoring as well as video conferencing. It was originally created as a way to treat patients who were in remote locations but has evolved into a tool for convenient medical care. Can’t afford to travel across the country to see a specialist? No worries – you can connect with that doctor digitally!
Telemedicine allows for convenient and affordable medical care, right from the comfort of your own home or office. At Haneke Design, we have been involved in the early stages of building enterprise class telehealth systems, and we were one of the first to incorporate AmWell’s telemedicine technology with a mobile application. These combined technologies allow for a seamless user experience and are transforming the way we practice healthcare.
AR and VR
Virtual and augmented reality are being used in so many different ways within the healthcare industry. One of the most impactful applications of this technology is in education. From diagnostic imaging to surgical simulations, AR and VR are transforming the way doctors and students learn.
The AccuVein system is a great example of a practical application of AR. Using augmented reality, this device displays the patient’s veins on the surface of their skin in real time, allowing medical professionals to be more accurate when drawing blood or performing other minor procedures.
Artificial Intelligence
Have you ever gone in to the doctor for a test, and had to wait days or even weeks for the results? Artificial Intelligence is transforming this process to provide a much-improved customer experience. Using AI and deep learning, body scans are being analyzed much faster than human radiologists are able to achieve. This unleashes the flow of accurate, real time answers to health challenges and paves the way for faster treatment scenarios.
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
Wearables and similar devices have come to play a critical role in the tracking, prevention and diagnosis of illnesses. The new Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a combination of IoT and telehealth technologies. Wearables are used to monitor heart rate as well as temperature, glucose levels and even blood sugar. The Apple Watch is possibly the most well-known wearable, with the series 4 watch featuring tools such as fall detection and ECG technology.
Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
While AI and IoMT play big roles in medical imaging and digital diagnostic advancements, mobile apps are also becoming increasingly important tools in this category. Clayman’s Thyroid Nodule & Cancer Guide is a mobile app that we created at Haneke Design that educates patients in the analysis of their thyroid nodules. Users enter their medical information and the app tracks any changes that may occur with their illness. The app provides a 3D image of the patient’s thyroid along with instruction on next steps that need to be taken, and it has even been successful as a tool to aid in the diagnoses of thyroid cancer. Apps such as this are providing a wealth of information to practitioners as well as patients to provide ongoing care in a highly effective manner.
Final Thoughts
Innovative healthcare technologies are only going to continue to grow, providing preventative care, enhanced patient experiences and lower costs across the board. These digital transformation trends we are seeing in healthcare are only just the beginning, and with such a rapidly evolving field it is clear that these next few years will see some amazing advancements.
