Introduction
In my generation almost everything is online; from school to social media, everything has become digitalized. To match the ever-evolving world, medicine has developed too. In recent years, especially after the recent pandemic, the concept of digital medicine has started gaining popularity.
The technical definition of digital medicine is using technology or devices to make healthcare more accessible and maintain health easier. The term refers to thousands of technologies that all fall under the umbrella of healthcare. Examples of digital medicine include telemedicine, health apps, digital therapeutics, and health monitoring devices. These innovations have all helped increase the accessibility and affordability of healthcare.
Current Technology
Telemedicine is one of the most known forms of digital medicine, it’s the one that people associate with virtual appointments and virtual checkups. This type of digital medicine is where a patient communicates with their doctor virtually to diagnose conditions and create treatment plans. This type of method also works for general checkups and monitoring health. This method of healthcare allows the patient to schedule appointments that fit their needs better and it helps eliminate complications with transportation and proximity to professionals. Another benefit is that the appointments are contactless and allow you to get the help you need from the comfort of your own home.
Health apps and monitoring are also devices that are commonly used to collect data and create personalized plans for patients. Apps like Health and MyFitnessPal are popularly used to track health and ensure that the person is getting enough sleep, water, food, and exercise. Along with these apps, monitoring devices like Fitbit and Smartwatches monitor the amount of exercise and sleep that a person gets. These devices help the patient keep track of their lifestyle and create health goals.
Other devices like Dexcom’s and blood pressure monitors also fall under the general umbrella of digital medicine. They help the patient monitor a person’s health and help identify any patterns or abnormalities. The data from these devices can be sent to the patient’s doctor so that it can be used to create a treatment plan and diagnosis.
Past Uses
During the Pandemic, the usage of digital health spiked as it provided a safe way to contact doctors and healthcare professionals without risking exposure to the virus. It also served to make scheduling appointments much more convenient without worrying about transport. The technology also can track and monitor a patient’s health, making it easier to spot any abnormalities or patterns.
Overall advances in digital medicine and technology have helped make medicine and treatment methods much more accessible. It’s also useful in getting medical to those who are in remote locations or those who are too sick to seek out help. They can help diagnose patients faster and with more ease. Having the technology to communicate with doctors and be diagnosed virtually can help patients get care faster. These innovations in technology and integration of technology medicine can help make healthcare more efficient and accessible.
Sources:
Abernethy, Amy, et al. “The Promise of Digital Health: Then, Now, and the Future.” NAM Perspectives, vol. 6, no. 22, 27 June 2022.
Written by Sai Koppada from MEDILOQUY