The healthcare industry has undoubtedly shown significant advancements in recent years in every corner of the industry, from pharmaceutical to dentistry. It is developing in front of the world, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer, more connected industry.
Today, there are trends that are playing major roles in the industry’s advancements. Some are obvious to our eyes, while others happen in a behind-the-scenes context but offer more convenient and efficient ways for healthcare professionals to care for their patients.
Read on to learn about four technology trends helping healthcare experts streamline their practices and better serve their communities.
1. Automated Answering Solutions
In many cases, when healthcare offices are closed for the day, patients must rely on a standard answering machine to voice their concerns and will have to wait until the next business day for their questions to be addressed. This can be difficult and distressing for those in pain or who have urgent medical inquiries.
One of the advancements we see to combat these challenges is the creation of customized medical answering systems. A medical answering system uses advanced technology to record patients’ concerns and delegate them to emergency or non-emergency categories.
This type of technology is designed to ensure every customer is able to speak with an on-call physician or healthcare professional even when their regular practice is closed — opening the lines of communication and reducing the patient’s stress and anxiety.
2. 3D Printing
On the more physician-facing side of the industry, 3D printing is becoming widely recognized as a unique opportunity to print everything from bio-tissues to FDA-approved pharmaceutical pills. These advancements directly impact a surgeon or pharmacists’ ability to help their patients in more innovative ways.
Utilizing this technology will, in turn, help solve many shortages in the industry and push the need for further advancements to lift the strain off of global healthcare systems.
3. Wearable Technology
Increasing patient engagement is no longer the challenge it used to be with the development of wearable technology. These technologies, most commonly in the form of smartwatches, create a personalized plan for patients on the go and for those who struggle to make regular appointments.
These devices connect with patient records and data, tracking any number of factors from blood pressure to glucose monitors, which can help those living with diabetes. Their physicians can then evaluate the results in real-time without booking in-person appointments for a more efficient and streamlined process.
Incorporating this technology helps medical professionals stay up-to-date on every patient’s progress and provides a level of accountability to the patient themselves to take care of their physical well-being.
4. Virtual Pharmacies
Advancements in technology have become revolutionary for specific sub-sectors of the healthcare industry — namely, pharmaceuticals. Digital pharmacies, using innovative algorithms and connections with local pharmacies, allow patients to speak virtually with physicians and order any needed medication.
These advancements offer an accessible level of convenience to not only pharmacists but to the patients that struggle to make in-person appointments to receive the prescriptions they need.
