From the beginning of time, people have been looking for ways to live longer, better lives. From the development of breakthrough drugs such as insulin and penicillin to the current use of cancer-treatment medication, the health and wellness industry continues to develop at a breathtaking pace.
These changes have been possible because of technology and innovation, man’s desire to make life healthier and more convenient. As we move further into the 21st century, some examples include information storage and analytics, nutrition and exercise apps, the virtualization of doctor-patient relationships, and personal health monitoring devices.
Information Storage and Analytics
The importance of information in the health and wellness industry cannot be undermined. For hospitals and private clinics, this includes patient medical records, insurance claims, and doctor databases. For pharmaceutical companies, information is crucial for testing results, drug development stages, and marketing and sales strategies.
In the past, collecting and processing information was not only time-consuming but also ineffective and prone to mistakes. Technology has changed all this. With analytical tools such as pion, pharmaceutical enterprises can now gather and analyze information at a much faster rate. The result is a speeding up of drug development processes leading to shorter waiting times for patients. In times like these with covid-19, it can be the difference between saving a few or thousands of lives.
Nutrition and Exercise Apps
Another area in which we can see the role of technology in the health industry is smartphone apps. Nowadays, we can choose from all kinds of customizable applications based on various factors, including age, health status, gender, and exercise habits. These apps provide people with exercise routines, nutritional programs, and even virtual and augmented reality interfaces that allow users to see real-time results and make changes on the spot.
Furthermore, many companies are developing them, making the industry more competitive. The result is better technology, more features, higher levels of user-friendliness, and more affordable prices.
Virtual Doctors
The growing need for isolation and social distancing has led to a proliferation of virtual doctors. It has also created a need for remote appointment technology, a technology that allows patients and doctors to communicate in a fast, efficient manner. Aside from conventional videoconferencing systems like Zoom and Google Meetings, doctors worldwide now have access to a wide range of telehealth tools such as virtual appointments and patient portals.
It represents a drastic shift in medical practice. It is no longer necessary for a patient to be face to face with a physician. The one-on-one patient-doctor relationship has expanded to include several medics working together to help one person, no matter whether they are in the world.
Health Monitoring Devices
As with nutrition and exercise apps, the past few years have seen a boom in personal health monitoring devices. Aside from weight, blood pressure, and temperature, people can now measure cholesterol, blood sugar, body composition, sleeping patterns, and stress levels. As a result, they can take a much more proactive approach to their health, tackle issues before they worsen, and find solutions to individual needs without needing a doctor or physician present.
As we have seen, technology continues to play a key role in health and wellness. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Along with covid-19, nations worldwide face plenty more health-related issues like universal healthcare, an aging population, limited access to medical treatments, and pollution.
Technology continues to provide us with the tools to live happier, healthier lives. However, it is up to us to make use of these tools in a way that is both beneficial to us and those around us. Only then will we see a world free of disease.
