How to Use Technology to Help People in Your Community Who Don’t Have Access to Healthcare or Medical Information
Technology has become an essential part of our lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can also be a powerful tool to improve health outcomes and access to healthcare services for people who face barriers such as distance, cost, or lack of information. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that technology can help people in your community who don’t have access to healthcare or medical information.
Telehealth: Remote Care and Consultation
One of the most common and effective ways that technology can help people who don’t have access to healthcare is through telehealth, which is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage your health care (Mayo Clinic, 2021). Telehealth can include:
– Virtual visits: These are online video or phone chats with a health care provider, mental health counselor, or a nurse. They can offer care for many conditions such as migraines, skin conditions, diabetes, depression, anxiety, colds, coughs, and COVID-19. Virtual visits can save time, money, and travel for patients, as well as reduce the risk of infection (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
– Remote monitoring: This is the use of devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, pulse oximeters, or wearable sensors that can measure and transmit health data to a health care provider or a platform. Remote monitoring can help patients manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, or asthma, as well as detect any abnormalities or complications early (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
– Mobile health: This is the use of mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets to access health information, education, or services. Mobile health can include apps that provide self-care tips, reminders, alerts, feedback, or support; text messages that deliver health education or reminders; or websites that offer health information or resources (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Telehealth can make health care easier to get for people who live in remote or rural areas, who have limited mobility, time, or transportation, or who need access to medical specialists. It can also improve communication and coordination of care among health care team members and patients, and offer advice for self-management of health care (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Smart Technologies: Artificial Intelligence and Wearables
Another way that technology can help people who don’t have access to healthcare is through smart technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) and wearables. AI is the ability of machines or systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, decision making, or problem solving (World Economic Forum [WEF], 2021). Wearables are devices that can be worn on the body or attached to clothing that can collect and transmit data about health or activity (WEF, 2021). Some examples of smart technologies that can improve health outcomes and access are:
– Virtual reality (VR): This is the use of computer-generated simulations that create realistic environments that users can interact with using special equipment such as headsets or gloves. VR can be used for various purposes in health care such as training medical professionals,
