Healthcare industry across the world has faced significant challenges in recent months due to the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

While the industry was poised for growth, the emergence of this unknown disease has posed challenges for both public and private healthcare sectors.

As social distancing becomes the new norm, the intersection of healthcare and technology is set to undergo significant changes in a post-pandemic world.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a term used to describe remote healthcare services provided to patients by doctors. This includes using internet technology for recording patient history, clinical diagnosis, and sharing reports.

Telemedicine-enabled devices turn any location into a virtual clinic, allowing for remote consultation and prescription delivery, overcoming geographical barriers for access to healthcare.

Medical experts have reported an increased interest in telemedicine services, with patients finding it convenient and providing quick access to their trusted clinician. This technology can be crucial in a post-pandemic world where social distancing is vital.

Telemedicine not only expands doctors’ capacity to treat more patients remotely, but also improves overall productivity, making it a potential future standard in healthcare.

Wearable Technology

Recent research suggests that wearable devices can detect coronavirus symptoms before individuals are aware they have been infected. This shift in focus from fitness tracking to virus detection illustrates the potential of wearable technology in healthcare.

Fitbits and Apple Watches, equipped with additional sensors, can serve as early detection systems for various health conditions, empowering individuals to monitor their health proactively.

As these devices continue to evolve, they are expected to play a more significant role in healthcare, providing valuable data for individuals and healthcare professionals alike.

Artificial Intelligence

The healthcare industry is rapidly adopting AI technologies to make healthcare more inclusive, cost-effective, and efficient. AI’s role in healthcare automation, computing, and networking is driving industry growth.

AI has enabled home diagnostics and remote care, allowing patients to track their health conditions and consult with doctors remotely. AI-driven technologies are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing patient care post-pandemic.

Robotic Technology

Robots are being developed for various healthcare applications, such as remote blood tests and sample collection. In hospitals and public spaces, robots are assisting healthcare workers with patient care, cleaning, and disinfection.

This technology is expected to play a significant role in future healthcare systems, especially in disaster response scenarios.

Open Surveillance for Contact Tracing

Advanced technologies for contact tracing are being developed to contain the spread of diseases like COVID-19. Contact tracing helps identify infected individuals and their contacts, aiding in isolation and prevention of further transmission.

As governments and organisations invest in contact tracing technologies, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to adopt these tools for effective disease control and prevention.

As technology continues to evolve, healthcare systems must adapt to new challenges and priorities, ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities in a post-pandemic world.

Image credit: Lucas Vasques on Unsplash

This article was first published on July 4, 2020

The post How technology and healthcare can work together in a post-pandemic world appeared first on e27.