As healthcare is changing, the new decade will see unprecedented changes in healthcare technology. In real time, we have seen a drastic shift from in-person care to virtual care with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of Things and now telemedicine software have and will cause changes to healthcare delivery in the coming years. Medical software development has powerfully accelerated the pace of its improvement and continues to gain it. With the combination of technology and adoption, use of telemedicine software has exploded at the onslaught of a pandemic. Moreover, the recent study proposed that the telehealth industry is expected to grow exponentially over the next eight years.
Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has forced the medical community into the survival mode during the first half of the year. Perhaps the use of telehealth services is to modernize the outdated delivery models, improve care access, cut costs while providing patients with the immediacy of treatment. With this providers and health plans are also starting to use this technology in new ways possible in these conditions, taking advantage of its substantial benefits by the patients and physicians alike according to the needs and preferences of the patients it is meant to serve.
With the severe impact of COVID-19 everywhere around the work, many practices and healthcare facilities had to adapt fast, cobbling together a telemedicine offering that would help them stay agile and be in light, while taking each step with a little thought towards the future.
For telehealth or telemedicine software 2020 looks to be one of the most eventful years and the rest of the year will also be geared towards growth, building loyalty and even attracting new patients as the nation emerges on the other side of the pandemic.
Digital Transformation in Healthcare
2020 for telemedicine has come with a lot of innovations and advancements in the healthcare industry which looks quite promising. The advancements in technology has created enormous new responsibilities and opportunities for doctors as well as patients. The potential impact has helped the healthcare providers with improved convenience and access to care, better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.
The digital transformation, that is the use of leading telemedicine software is the new ‘now’ that is shaping the future of health care systems. And the healthcare warriors are considering the moves that are supporting such a shift to improve their future position.
Wonders of Artificial Intelligence
The pandemic has put things into motion and momentum surrounding telemedicine has quickly snowballed from there on. With the help of artificial intelligence in the telehealth it is helping the healthcare providers to synthesize the information that is required for clinical trials and shortening the drug development process.
When the data of the patient is stored in telemedicine software, the data works in a similar manner as human does. That is notifying any medications that can react while understanding the nature of disease.
In simple terms, a software with AI integration facilitates the improvements in the speed and accuracy of the diagnosis processes. For instance, with the help of diagnosis, and the reports, the algorithm then proceeds further to check for possible indications of disease and possible medications that were suggested to patients with similar symptoms. AI can streamline patient intake through chatbots, upfront screening, questionnaires for patients, reducing the online waiting time and helping physicians treat patients more effectively.
Chatbots Doing It All Alone
As it turns out, the patients were all ready to embrace the digital transformation from the get-go. In the early months of COVID-19, most of the patients considered telemedicine while enjoying the process of virtual appointment. The use of telemedicine is still on the rise as with increasing cases, patients have demonstrated increased comfort levels with technology.
With telemedicine adoption and the shift of communication preferences towards digital methods, patients are continuing on this trend and seeking virtual solutions rather than walking through the door of healthcare centres. The patients are accessing the digital care services in a safe and controlled environment. Though there are some restrictions and HIPAA rules that have waived to expand how the physicians can practice. Moreover, patients are now choosing new physicians on the basis of substantial social proof like by reading a personal referral or reading great reviews about a physician online before they would seek virtual care.
This kind of flexibility, coupled with patients’ willingness to use telemedicine in the first place, has cleared the path for physicians to try something outside of their base. It has proved to be more efficient from start to finish than in-person appointments also choosing their test-drive physicians that are not just default to their nearest option.
Chatbots can help to schedule appointments, assist doctors in easy diagnosing of disease and also permits them to focus on the matters that might require instant attention of doctors. With chatbots, customers can consult remotely on demand and address any immediate concerns.
More Services with Wider Reach
The current pandemic is bringing about rapid changes in the society and many shifts like telemedicine, will be continued even after the crises. With that more cell companies are working towards 5G. This upgrade is supposed to provide fast data transfer with little to no delay. Not only will it make it easier for the patients to stream video- it has the potential to turn both healthcare and the telemedicine industry in general to its ears. Providers can then explore new ways to use telehealth to care for more complex medical conditions that require special attention.
So with a strong connection there will be no instantaneous lag or hindrance in communication between doctors and patients.
Cybersecurity is a Challenge in 2020
Big data collects information that is stored or exchanged through the software whenever a system is networked. So there can be always potential for hackers to invade it and use the data for their own ends. Though most of the telemedicine software come with HIPAA compliance but as the telemedicine is moving into 2020, cybersecurity and data theft will be a bigger challenge than ever. It is completely up to the software you choose to keep both the patients and physicians secure as they communicate remotely.
