How Technology is Changing Health Care
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How Technology is Changing Health Care

More technology is creating new treatments, but is this helping our health?

146
How Technology is Changing Health Care
Flikr

When you go to the doctor, you receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan. However, with the continued use of technology in healthcare, the process of diagnosing and treating patients has changed by becoming more efficient and precise, providing better care for patients.

The future of healthcare is becoming shaped by the new technologies that are to be used in the diagnoses and treatments of patients. By 2018, 30 percent of providers will be incorporating technology into their practice of medicine. Multiple technology companies are beginning to develop the technology that will be used to improve medical care, including IBM, AiCare, NextIT and Lumiata.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help doctors diagnose a problem and provide the best course of treatment. Robots and computers are helping doctors analyze a patient’s symptoms and create a treatment plan. Technology is expanding healthcare and is quickly becoming the future of the medical field. With new advancements in medical technology, it makes receiving medical care faster, more accurate, and free of error.

In addition to using AI to improve diagnosis and treatment, technology companies provide the data analytics tools that are necessary to analyze the efficiency of the healthcare system. This makes the care that hospitals provide to patients better and more efficient and improves the quality of care. Technology is also being used to help patients achieve their health and wellness goals as well as help patients when healthcare professionals are not present. Patients can rely on apps, trackers, and programs to remind them to take medications, help them track their symptoms, or call for help.

In the United States, the creation of AI technologies has surpassed that of other countries. However, compared to countries like China and Canada, the United States has failed in incorporating AI into its healthcare system. Although the United States has the access to healthcare technologies, the reality is that AI is not used in medical care because of the high costs and insurance barriers.

The high costs of healthcare have caused the United States to fall behind in many other aspects of healthcare including insurance and overall access to care, which has created disparities for a large percentage of the population. Higher costs and technological advancements does not necessarily mean better care. Although the United States leads the world in the development of AI, the high costs of this technology makes it hard to provide this technology for all those who need it.

The United States is still falling behind in incorporating AI and other technologies in the health care system due to the structure of insurance in the United States. It is the private healthcare system that puts all the costs on consumers of healthcare, while the government does little to fund the new AI technology to support efficiency and medical advancements. Instead, it is up to consumers of healthcare to pay for this technology to be used in their care.

Still, incorporating more technology into healthcare can be better for the healthcare system. It can boost efficiency, limit errors, and cut down wait times. But the high cost of creating this technology can make it difficult to provide services in every hospital and healthcare clinic in the United States.

Incorporating more technology in the medical field also changes the practice of medicine, making it less personal and more about the technology. Now, doctors wouldn’t have to rely on their own knowledge and skill but could turn to robots and computers equipped with AI to help them diagnose a patient or use highly specialized surgical equipment like the da Vinci to help them perform a procedure.

As the medical field continues to change, so will the technology that is used in the medical field, making receiving medical care a highly computerized process that could improve the health of the population.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

97227
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments