Introduction
Technology has become a key component of modern society, affecting every element of human activity, from education and communication to transportation and health care. In health care, technological innovation has transformed how medical professionals diagnose, treat, and manage all types of diseases, already changing the patient experience, making access to care indisputable, and enhancing the efficiency of health care systems and the delivery of health care on a global scale.
However, the combination of technology and health care has created a new chapter of digital medicine; an era where data, devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) will work together to improve the healthcare experience and outcomes. Each day, technology advances healthcare from electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, and wearable health monitors to robotic surgery; health care continues to change at an unprecedented rate.
1. Technological Advancements in Healthcare
Early Stages
Before the digital age, healthcare was reliant on manual processes throughout the cycle of care. Medical records were kept on paper, diagnoses were based on limited information, and communication between healthcare providers was mostly slow and inefficient. Computers were the first step in the process of introducing technology to healthcare in the mid-20th century.
Digital Era
In the current 21st century, we have seen the explosion of innovation in health technology. Digital began replacing paper records, mobile apps for tracking fitness and diet were being created, and robotic systems began to assist in the performance of complex surgical cases. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning all allowed for the analysis of massive datasets, enabling healthcare systems to make more informed decisions and provided predictive care.
2. Major Health Technology Innovations
a. Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
EHRs are digital versions of what used to be a patient’s paper chart, providing a real-time, patient-centered record that is securely accessible to authorized users instantaneously.
Benefits of using EHR include:
. Better care coordination between doctors and specialists
. Reduction of medical errors and redundancies of tests
. Much easier access to medical history and lab results
. Population health management analytics
b. Telemedicine and Telehealth
Patients may have virtual visits with a physician with the aid of video chats and messaging applications, and other digital resources. This is especially relevant now with the need for physical distance caused by COVID-19, making in-person visits challenging.
Benefits:
. Improved access to care in remote or rural areas
. Lowered cost of healthcare
. Increased ease of follow-up for chronic conditions
. Decreased travel time and waiting time
c. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
AI and ML are an emerging technology in diagnostics, treatment planning, and research. AI algorithms can analyze medical imaging, identify abnormal findings, and that can even predict disease progression.
Examples:
. AI systems recognizing abnormal findings in imaging for early detection of cancer
. Predictive analytics assessing patients with risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease
. Natural language processing for automation of medical documentation
d. Surgical Robotics
Robotics in surgery can increase precision and control, and provide greater flexibility in surgery. A well-known surgical robotic system is the da Vinci Surgical System, which provides patients with a minimally invasive surgical option, while allowing the surgeon to perform a procedure with precision.
Benefits:
. Smaller incision and less blood loss
. Shorter hospital stays
. Shorter recovery times.
e. Wearable Health Devices
Today smartwatches and fitness trackers can collect information related to heart rate, time spent sleeping, blood oxygen levels, and physical activity level. Some smart devices can even identify the user’s heart rhythm as irregular and recommend that the user consult with a medical provider.
Impacts:
. Empowerment of patients to monitor their own health .
. Continuous monitoring enables early diagnosis of conditions that may require clinical evaluation.
. Data driven personalized medicine
f. 3D Printing in Medicine
3D printing is also widely used to create patient-specific prosthetics implants, and even tissues. Additionally, 3D printing technologies have been employed in pre-operative surgical planning and to develop anatomical models for medical teaching and learning .
Uses:
. Patient-specific implants and orthopedic devices.
. Dental crowns and other intra-operative tools.
. Experiential organs that have been 3D printed for the purpose of research into organ transplantation.
g. Genomic Medicine and Biotechnology
Recent advances in genomics and biotechnology give rise to personalized medicine: specific treatment designed for an individual based on their genetic background. Genetic testing can show a person if they have a predisposition for certain diseases, which can allow for early interventions and can even prevent certain disease occurrence.
h. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Applications of VR and AR technologies in medical training, pain management, or rehabilitation.
For example,
Benefits of Technological Innovations in Healthcare
a. Enhanced Safety and Quality of Care for Patients
Technology has improved the accuracy of diagnoses, treatment planning, and management of medications. Because of automation, there is less chance of human error, while the use of AI and robotic surgery has more precise medical interventions.
b. Access to Care
Telemedicine and mobile health apps can help remove geographical barriers so patients in rural areas or health professional shortage areas can see healthcare providers without traveling to see the specialists.
c. Cost Savings
Digitalization and automation can help decrease administrative burden and paperwork and make more efficient allocation of resources, which ultimately decreases healthcare costs for both healthcare providers, and patients.
d. Better Data Management
An electronic health record (EHRs) and other health information system store huge volumes of patient data that can be shared, are easily retrievable, and can be accessed anytime. These systems could provide support for care coordination and assist with research.
e. Patient Empowerment
Wear able, health apps, and online portals allow patients to self-monitor their health and have ownership of their health through participation in preventive and anticipatory activities.
f. Increased Speed of Medical Research
The use of big data, and AI facilitate researchers and data scientists to systematically analyze data, ultimately increasing the speed of drug discovery, clinical trials, and ultimately post-licensure surveillance to monitor adverse events caused by medications.
Challenges and Risks in Healthcare Technology
a. Privacy and Security of Data
In an increasingly digital healthcare environment, it is vital to ensure that patient data is not compromised by a cyberattack. Data breaches leave the patient at risk of having sensitive data disclosed and compromise public trust.
b. High Costs of Implementation
Implementing new technology like artificial intelligence, robotics, and electronic health record systems often necessitates significant capital investment by smaller healthcare organizations, something they may not be able to afford.
c. Digital Divide
Access to technology is not consistent across all regions and populations of the United States. In areas where there is little to no internet supply, etc. There are other considerations related to accessibility, capabilities, and literacy associated with technology use that may limit use to a population.
d. Reliance on Technology
Reliance on various technological systems will affect issues with human reasoning when it is most crucial to act, and healthcare staff will need to be able to interpret this situation of valuing clinical judgment versus trusting technology.
e. Ethics
Ethics around if AI is making decisions within the healthcare realm creates questions of accountability, consent, and algorithms that may provide bias – specifically against certain populations.
The Role of AI in Modern Healthcare
. AI is functioning in healthcare beyond diagnostics. AI is enhancing every level of patient service:
. Predictive analytics – allows identification of potential health risk prior to any signs or symptoms.
. Drug discovery – AI can reduce the time for a new drug discovery to happen.
. Decision support – AI can support physicians in developing a data driven plan for interventions.
. Virtual health assistants – chatbots and other virtual assistants can support persons in making initial decisions related to their health(normal health, reminders for medication, appointments to make, etc.).
AI’s ability to sift through massive amounts of data faster than a human and its capacity to integrate all of this information informs precision medicine – delivering treatment options based on genetic variables and environmental factors.
Telehealth: The Future of Access to Healthcare
Telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery. Patients can see a specialist from wherever they are – home, and anywhere else in the world – while saving money and time in the process. Telehealth also provides a resource for emerging countries in reaching patients when they do not have access to professionals.
Some examples of telehealth services are:
. Remote consulting service for management of chronic diseases.
. Mobile clinics using video conferencing technology.
Ethical and Regulatory Issues
The pace of change in healthcare technology means that appropriate policies must develop to support the ethical use of new technologies.
Areas of concern include:
. Safeguarding patient privacy and informed consent
. Regulating AI algorithms and bias
. Ensuring equitable access to technology
. Balancing innovation and patient safety.
Policymakers, governments, and health care organizations must work together to develop policies that foster innovation and protect human rights.
Conclusion
Technology has profoundly altered the provision of healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive and personalized care.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, robotics, and genomics allow patients to access their care with high accuracy and access to best outcomes than any time in medical history.
However, a stakeholder approach to health care technology is necessary or these benefits will be meaningless if stakeholders – payer or organizations – do not find common considerations of cost, ethics, and digital inequalities addressed in a purposeful way.
