Ana Weaver
Technological advancements have had a profound impact on healthcare infrastructures across the globe. The past decades have witnessed the introduction of X-Ray machines, improved surgical tools, and so forth. Consequently, the life expectancies of humans all over the world have also increased.
Technology will continue to improve by leaps and bounds, and it is bound to revolutionize the healthcare industry in the coming years. Let’s look at how modern-day equipment is saving lives effectively and other advantages of healthcare technology.
1. People Enjoy Easy Access to Medical Information
It is near impossible to imagine living in an internet-free world in 2024. Whenever we feel some pain, we can directly Google our symptoms and get some insight into the ailment that may be causing such distress in our bodies. The internet comes in handy when we don’t have immediate access to a doctor. In case of simple health issues, the internet can also save you a lot of time and money.
However, it is recommended that you pay a visit to the doctor if the internet results are making way for anxiety or stress. Another advantage of the internet is that you can readily look up doctors near you and schedule a visit as per your liking.
2. Availability on Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., record millions of users daily. Medical professionals, hospitals, clinics, etc., have also realized the sheer power of these platforms and are harnessing the same to make healthcare more accessible.
Former patients can even leave behind helpful reviews and ratings on these platforms to help potential patients and individuals wanting to seek such services.
3. Top-Quality Treatments, types of equipment, Medicines, and More
Day after day, brand new improvements are arising out of technological advancements. No other technological blessing is as great as the contribution of technology to healthcare. These modern-day inventions have increased life expectancies by a lot and paved the way for treatments for previously considered deadly diseases.
Technology has also led to improvement in the research. In 2024, people worldwide had to retreat to their houses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, quality research has allowed scientists to develop effective vaccines to get people back on their feet. If you wish to gain a better understanding of how technology and healthcare go hand in hand, learn more here.
4. Fast Results
A few years ago, people would have to spend several days in distress after undergoing medical tests. However, thanks to rapid improvements in technology, people don’t have to wait for their results and get them as soon as the tests are done.
Nowadays, most hospitals and clinics allow patients to access web portals to get their hands on test results whenever they wish. Moreover, these portals can also help patients maintain previous test records, future appointments, medical expenses, and so forth. Thus, technology has gone a long way in easing tension and anxiety in people after medical tests.
5. Good Doctor-Patient Relationships
Owing to modern-day tools, doctors can access the records of their patients whenever they wish. In earlier days, doctors would have to go through a lot of paperwork to find any relevant information. However, it is not the case anymore.
Doctors can better understand their patients and effectively treat the latter’s diseases in no time, thanks to readily available medical information. Patients can also feel at ease in the presence of well-informed doctors.
6. Prevention of Life-Threatening Outbreaks
Whenever someone goes online to find relevant information concerning any symptoms they may be facing, this data adds up to produce a much bigger picture that can come in handy. Flu outbreaks serve as an excellent example of this technological phenomenon.
It is effortless to determine locations based on online searches, and a database can be created to portray the rise in cases and the apparent spread of the disease. It is, therefore, clear that technological developments have made it possible for researchers to predict future outbreaks and take adequate measures.
7. Artificial Intelligence
In today’s world, more and more countries are investing in artificial intelligence and rightfully so. AI algorithms can mine medical records, produce treatment plans, and come up with drugs in no time. For instance, Google’s DeepMind came up with an A.I recently for practical breast cancer analysis. The algorithm managed to derive results way faster than human radiologists, thanks to available data.
8. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality or VR possesses the power to revolutionize the lives of both patients and medical professionals. Soon, it may even be possible to watch operations in a completely different country with the help of VR!
Nowadays, top hospitals are using VR to train future surgeons effectively. Harvard Business Review revealed that surgeons with VR training possess the ability to outperform surgeons who have received traditional training. The former was also more surgically accurate than conventional surgeons.
VR can also benefit patients immensely. In the modern-day world, women are being equipped with VR headsets to witness comforting scenarios and landscapes no matter where they are. It can come in handy while they are going through labour. It is believed that people who have fallen prey to gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurological disorders, etc., can get relief with the help of VR.
9. 3D Printing
3D printing is undoubtedly one of the best things to have come out of modern-day technological developments. It has made the task of printing bio tissues, artificial limbs, blood vessels, etc., so much easier. 3D printing can also greatly benefit the pharmaceutical industry, and researchers are looking into effectively printing drugs for various ailments.
To Sum Up
These are revolutionary times we live in, and healthcare is witnessing significant changes right before our eyes. Thanks to artificial intelligence, VR, 3D printing, robotics, and so forth, it is believed that researchers and medical professionals will soon be able to find solutions to life-threatening diseases.
Technology has also made medical information and treatment so much more accessible to people all over the world. People can learn more about their symptoms or book a visit to the doctor any time they deem fit.