Can technology make healthcare more accessible?
In a perfect world, healthcare would be accessible for all who need it. However, many people around the world don’t have access to proper healthcare even in first-world countries where it is expected.
Over the years, there have been some vast improvements to the accessibility of healthcare but there is still a long way to go.
Here’s a look at how technology can help to make healthcare more accessible.
Remote doctor appointments
If you live in a rural area, accessing an appointment with your local GP can be incredibly difficult.
In many areas, the people requiring medical assistance outnumber those who can offer it, and this can result in a lack of accessibility for many.
However, with the latest innovations in technology, virtual appointments are much easier to manage. This way, patients who don’t need to see their doctor in person can organise a video call and receive a prescription.
Creating solutions for cures
It goes without saying that technology has the ability to help those who are developing cures and trying to make treatment for certain issues more accessible.
Take the Tej Kohli Cornea Program, for example. This program aims to alleviate corneal blindness in India and make the treatment more accessible using new tech and innovation.
Another example involves the technology that is currently being used to create a cure or vaccine for Covid-19. Without this tech, the cure would be way further off.
Personal health apps
Doctors aren’t always available for a call or a visit and often, patients don’t really need to talk to their doctors about simple health concerns such as weight loss.
Over recent years, new personal health apps have been created and made available on the various app stores. These apps allow patients to monitor their own health, check their calorific intake and remind themselves to take their medicine. With these apps, more people can access their own health data 24/7.
AI doctors
Finally, you should know that there have been some large developments in the world of AI doctors. Artificial intelligence technology is extremely beneficial in many areas and making healthcare more accessible is one of the latest goals for these companies.
AI doctors might sound like they cannot be trusted but this is far from the truth. In fact, some AI doctors recently beat human doctors in a clinical exam due to their ability to retain information.
Over time, this is expected to become the norm.
Final verdict
There are many ways in which technology can make healthcare more accessible. Over the years, we have already seen some big developments in the health-tech industry, and this is set to increase even more over the next decade.
As healthcare becomes more accessible, those who were unable to seek treatment will be able to live longer and more fulfilled lives. Make sure to look out for the latest developments.