What is E-healh ?
What is E-healh ?
The year 2020 saw a surge in discussions surrounding the integration of technology in our daily lives, including connected homes, self-driving cars, bionic humans, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. These technological advances cross multiple scientific fields, support informed decision-making, and are shaping the future of mankind. The traditional methods and processes we once relied on have evolved dramatically in recent years, marking the dawn of a new age of digital domination.
How does the digital transformation impact the healthcare sector?
The digital transformation raises concerns regarding regulation, ethics, environment, and considerations. However, the disruptive nature of this transformation and the advances that follow increasingly requires a shift to a flexible, adaptive, rapid and proactive model.
The current health crisis of Covid-19 reinforces and asserts the importance of digitalization in all fields, especially in health.
The digital transformation, for better health management
Digital health, or e-health, are terms used to designate the digital transformation and its application in the various fields of health.
The use of information systems, artificial intelligence and communication tools provide comprehensive patient care. They enable control and efficiency via several axes:
- Daily monitoring of the user’s state of health: measurement of blood pressure and physical activity, detection of certain pathologies and disease triggers (glycemia, asthma, etc.). The connected objects allow a multitude of data to be collected and constitute a decision-making help for the attending doctor.
- Online consultation or telemedicine: consultation via videoconference, with the use of a specialized information system. The patient is examined by an attending specialist remotely, which proves to be very relevant in many cases (reduced mobility of the patient, absence of a doctor in the geographical area, preventive measures, etc.). With the current health crisis, social and physical distancing are mandatory in order to reduce the spread of the virus. Online consultation is then a relevant alternative!
- Assisted surgery: robots are everywhere, even in operating rooms! Some surgeries are simulated upstream by software in order to choose the most efficient technique, or to make certain surgeries less invasive by using endoscopy or laser.
- The digital pharmacy: a world where the corner pharmacy no longer limits itself to welcoming customers/patients at the counter. Information systems and applications are helping to energize pharmacy service.
Many methods and applications are becoming more democratic and contribute to the digital transformation. The Covid-19 health crisis has really contributed to boost digital innovation!
