How could we digitalize healthcare or continue doing so?

To digitalize healthcare, we need a solid technological foundation that connects hospital and clinic systems, making patient information centrally available and accessible. It’s crucial that the different programs used by medical centers can “communicate with each other,” so that data can be shared securely and quickly between doctors and hospitals. Another key point is investing heavily in cybersecurity, as medical data is highly sensitive, and there have been cases of hacks where patient medical data from both public hospitals and private healthcare companies has been exposed.

How have we improved healthcare thanks to digitalization?

Thanks to digitalization, we’ve also improved as a society by enhancing our healthcare systems.

Here are some of the advancements that have helped us move forward:

  • Faster and more efficient access to healthcare: Telemedicine allows patients to consult with doctors from anywhere, eliminating distance barriers and reducing wait times. This has been essential in emergencies or for people in rural areas where the traditional healthcare system barely reaches anymore.
  • Better patient health monitoring: With electronic medical records, healthcare professionals can access the complete patient history immediately, making diagnoses more accurate and treatments more personalized.
  • Real-time monitoring: Wearable devices and mobile apps allow people to track their physical activity, heart rate, sleep, and other health parameters. This promotes disease prevention and early detection of medical issues.
  • Increased precision in diagnoses and treatments: Artificial intelligence and big data analysis have improved diagnostic accuracy and enabled more personalized treatments. Additionally, robotics has enhanced precision in surgical interventions.
  • Patient empowerment: Digital platforms have given patients more control over their health, allowing them to access medical information, manage appointments, and receive reminders for medications or preventive care. Nowadays, it’s especially appreciated to have official state health apps where you can store all your clinical history, prescriptions, appointments, and more.

In summary, digitalization has made healthcare more accessible, efficient, and personalized, with a more preventive and proactive approach rather than reactive, as the saying goes: “It’s better to prevent than to cure.”

Where are we now?

Right now, the digitalization of healthcare is at a key moment, and each year, even more so. We’ve made great strides with telemedicine and electronic records, which are already being used in hospitals and clinics. Additionally, more and more people are using health apps and smartwatches to track their physical condition and train. Artificial intelligence is even starting to assist in diagnostics, though there’s still work to be done before it’s fully integrated. We expect many trials will be needed to achieve good accuracy with AI.

However, not everything is perfect. Data security is a major concern, as patient information needs better protection. On the other hand, elderly people often struggle with these new technologies, which is completely understandable, so the system still needs to address the needs of older generations. We can’t overhaul the healthcare system all at once. There are also places that lack the infrastructure to take full advantage of these advancements. We’re on the right track, but there’s still work to do to ensure everyone benefits from these changes.