In a very short time, the global healthcare industry has witnessed an unparalleled disruption due to the pandemic of COVID-19. Despite the slow growth of the healthcare technology industry, many medical device manufacturers have come up with quick technological fixes to resolve the crisis caused by the pandemic. Read on to learn more about the top X healthcare electronic devices and technology trends.
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Telemedicine
The pandemic has accelerated the use of telehealth helplines or telemedicine. Instead of in-person visits, since April 2020, telehealth methods have been utilized to benefit humanity. One of the greatest telehealth benefits is that it reduces contact between healthcare providers and patients. Also, wearable gadgets, such as a smartwatch, allows healthcare providers to access real-time information and keep up with their patients' well-being while they (patients) stay at home.
It has been estimated that telemedicine will more likely continue to grow in the coming years as virtual doctor-patient appointments have become a norm. Telehealth is gaining massive popularity with each passing day and is being adopted by patients around the globe.
The Use of AI Against the Pandemic
AI (Artificial Intelligence) plays a critical role in the fight against the ongoing pandemic via detection, the development of a vaccine, analysis of CT scans, facial detection with masks, and thermal screening. For instance, the BlueDot app detects the early warning signs of COVID-19 by analyzing specific threat aspects. The threat aspects include but are not limited to the analysis of healthcare systems' capacity, analyzing the animal and insect populations, vaccine development, etc.
Thermal screening is another effective use of AI in healthcare. Thermal screening is derived from non-contact infrared thermometers, which are then used to determine human temperature. The facial recognition system identifies individuals with accuracy (95%). Masks do not limit face recognition technology. The CT scan technology can detect pneumonia caused by the virus (COVID-19) via multinational training data.
AR/MR/VR in the Healthcare Industry
Another technological trend that has gained crucial significance in healthcare is the use of MR, VR, and AR. The augmented and virtual reality are quite important for the improvement of telehealth, especially during the ongoing pandemic. The AR and VR technologies have shown promising results for helping stroke patients in overcoming their movement deficiencies. Stroke patients must be placed in a vigorous environment to help them regain motor control. Physical therapists are usually delimited to provide the required flexibility, which can be successfully generated through simulated environments. VR, MR, and MR are also useful for helping patients with cognitive impairments, such as dementia. Alzheimer's and dementia patients have access to experiences and VR activities that are otherwise inaccessible in their current environments.
The Importance of Privacy
Despite that technology and electronic devices have taken over the healthcare industry, privacy remains a crucial issue. Cloud computing makes the storing and retrieving of data more efficient. However, cloud computing is strictly regulated to secure the health information of patients. You can check with HIPAA whether your telehealthcare provider is compliant and protect patient privacy.
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