Traditional medicine has faded into the background due to the coronavirus and the increased risk of hospital infection. The projected global digital health market is to reach $500 billion by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the introduction of telemedicine IT solutions around the world. So, India shows the rapid development of teleophthalmology by 700%, as the number of teleconsultations on ENT and orthopedic issues increased by 600% and 400%, respectively. The healthcare system is becoming hybrid, combining virtual and personal care. What results will it achieve in the future?
What is virtual healthcare: Key Areas
Virtual healthcare involves conducting audio and video visits for medical consultations and patient check-ups. This medical solution informs, personalizes, and accelerates treatment.
Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics
Software vendors offer AI-powered applications for checking symptoms and controlling allergic reactions. For example, hypertension (Philips) or skin diseases (DermTech). Patient wearables can sync with EHR systems and other platforms to automatically transfer data to medical staff.
Monitoring the Progress of Chronic Diseases
Health technologies help to track medication intake and receive test results on portable devices. Patients can manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and others. For example, the Fooducate app provides virtual care and lifestyle follow-up to users.
Ensuring Mental Wellbeing
Patients often need treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depression after prolonged quarantine. The pandemic also affected healthcare workers, who are experiencing increased pressure and stress. For example, the Unmind app offers exercises to focus and improve employee mood.
Caregiver Engagement
Initially, healthcare systems used platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom to connect. Then, new solutions for consulting and tracking research were created.
mHealth Apps: Facts and Examples
Healthcare mobile apps have revolutionized healthcare delivery options. The number of medical apps downloaded in January 2020 increased by 65% compared to the "peak" month of the COVID-19 crisis. South Korean users were the most active, downloading 135% more software than in January.
According to surveys of healthcare providers, the main reasons for using e-health applications or devices are:
- Health management. Apps for diabetics and high blood pressure patients help keep tracking diseases.
- Reducing healthcare costs. Mobile platforms provide information on the results of analyzes and studies, allowing you to contact a doctor remotely.
Health apps display the pros and cons of telemedicine by showing the patient their condition. Medical devices that connect to mobile applications include pulse oximeters, glucometers, ECG monitors, neurological monitoring devices, and others. Telemedicine technology solutions help improve the efficiency of doctors and simplify the delivery of services to patients. Below are examples of apps that can help you calculate risk, prevent disease, and support your users.
MDCalc
The app is used by healthcare professionals and medical students to assess risks and perform calculations. It helps identify more than 130 diseases using a database of treatment instructions. Available in 2 versions: mobile and desktop.
Stroke Riskometer
The tool allows you to assess the risks of stroke in the next 5-10 years. After analysis, it provides tips to reduce the probability of a heart attack. The app also detects signs of dementia and diabetes.
BlueStar Diabetes App
The platform collects blood glucose data and provides online support. It manages the user's medications, sets reminders, and provides a recipe base for healthy eating.
Medici
Application for online consultation between doctors and patients. They use video calling, chats, and audio messaging. Platform's features include billing, electronic prescriptions, and electronic health records management.
What is telehealth: Purpose and Difference
Telehealth refers to the introduction of telecommunications products to exchange information and provide health services. Initially, its use has grown almost 40 times compared to before COVID-19 and has stabilized at a high level. A virtual visit includes simple (videoconferencing) and complex actions (conducting analytics).
What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine: basic criteria
- Orientation. Telehealth includes non-clinical services such as health campaigns, health education, health systems development, epidemiology, and health care. Telemedicine focuses on clinical aspects and defines digital technologies for patient care.
- Development. The term telemedicine originated in the early 1990s. It meant providing medical care remotely. Telemedicine solutions were first launched in call centers. Telehealth has been empowered with video and email. Now augmented reality and artificial intelligence are used to build apps.
- Scale. Telemedicine is a subsection of telehealth, which ensures the exchange of information between subjects of medical care using technologies. Telehealth is a general concept connecting digital platforms, services, and education.
Advantages and disadvantages of telehealth for healthcare entities
As experts state, US investment in digital health reached nearly $15 billion in the first half of 2021, exceeding 2020 and 2019. Why do countries invest so much money in this area? Let's look at the main benefits that doctors and patients receive from new health management technologies.
Telehealth Benefits
- Service Availability. IT telehealth solutions provide medical care to patients with disabilities, older people, and residents of distant regions. According to the data, 71% of respondents consider new online technologies an alternative to personal visits, and half of them have received remote consultations. Healthcare professionals actively integrate communication platforms into their workflows. As of 2020, over 91% of practicing nephrologists in the United States have used telemedicine functions.
- Saving resources. Health apps help users reduce time and money. For example, do not visit a doctor if the temperature is high and the condition worsens. It helps spend time on good sleep and money on healthy food by getting an online consultation. Telemedicine saves patients over 100 minutes compared to a personal visit. In addition, innovative solutions reduce doctors' expenses, increasing income and the number of wards without adding work hours.
- Disease prevention. Platforms for tracking blood pressure, medication, and general condition detect problems in the early stages of the disease. Thus, 91% of patients believe that telemedicine will help them attend online appointments and maintain their wellbeing.
- Minimizing risks. Patients with overt coronavirus symptoms benefit from a virtual appointment without endangering other hospital visitors. Healthcare workers reduce the workload and the number of contacts with potentially infected people. For example, in the United States, 69% of patients were treated at home using communication technologies during the early pandemic in 2020.
Disadvantages of telehealth
- The need for face-to-face research. Patient self-reports may lead to the wrong choice of treatment mechanism. Providing emergency care is not possible through digital platforms.
- Data security level. Cybercriminals can take possession of confidential health information or doctor's records and post text messages of patients to the network.
- Costs for selected services. Insurance does not always cover telemedicine costs.
- Technology problems. Digital products must guarantee information security and usability.
Projections of telehealth
According to Deloitte's survey, most care, prevention, and wellness services will move to a virtual environment by 2040.
Telehealth has the technological potential for treating depression and chronic diseases, weight management, and glucose control. Patients with oncology will receive virtual assistance from the medical staff without having to visit the hospital. Treatment of the musculoskeletal system will become easier with wearable devices connected to digital physiotherapy platforms. The pandemic remains the main reason for developing a remote monitoring and direct communication channels between health service providers. After the end of quarantine, the healthcare sector will transform, keeping integrating technology and creating new rules. Are you and your company ready to improve performance and get effective results from innovation?
About Hanna Reshetniak
