Traditionally, healthcare has been slow on the uptake when it comes to technological innovations and changes. However, over the last 5-10 years, more healthcare organizations have begun focusing on technology applications, including the use of EHR systems. The improved adoption of technology, combined with the disruptive arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, has drastically shifted healthcare organizations' focus on utilizing technology to continue providing efficient care to their patients. And from what it looks like, these changes and advancements are here to stay and will continue to grow and adapt to healthcare providers' needs in 2021 and beyond.
Here are the top 3 Healthcare IT trends to keep an eye on in 2021
Telemedicine 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic had a drastic impact on the use of telemedicine. This growth will likely continue in 2021 and beyond. Healthcare practices had to scramble to quickly stand-up telemedicine strategies in 2020, and 2021 will bring more of a refined game plan for many providers. Telemedicine drastically impacts the access and availability to care for many people. Along with access to primary care providers, we will continue to see growth in more specialized care, including telepsychiatry, telecardiology, and others. Used in tandem with wearable technology, physicians have the ability to provide high-quality care while also reducing content between patients and providers. There is a compelling amount of potential for telemedicine providers to continue elevating their technology offerings to provide a purpose-built solution that meets both providers' and patients' needs.
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) The use and popularity of connected devices and apps look to continue growing and evolving in 2021. The number of wearables available for both consumer and medical use has been increasing over the last couple of years, with 2020 putting a stronger focus on them. This focus has brought on more innovation and concentration on how the combination of these wearable devices with telemedicine technologies can significantly assist in providing appropriate and effective care. There is still a lot of work to be done regarding these devices, including consistent connectivity and communication and data collection and processing. Security has also been a concern that will need to continue being a focal point when advancing these technologies. All of these opportunities for growth and refinement will continue getting attention as we kick-off 2021.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI technology has the potential to greatly influence healthcare IT in 2021. It is a rapidly growing field and also becoming increasingly popular in healthcare. Healthcare organizations have infinite amounts of data that have to be processed in order to make appropriate clinical decisions. Using AI to process information and data and help make decisions, in a similar way to how humans make these determinations, opens up many possibilities within the medical field. Efficient diagnosis, early treatment, and automation of reminders through artificial intelligence technology are just a few examples of how AI can help the healthcare industry.
Along with these three technology trends, there are many others that look to reinvent healthcare and continue advancing the provision of care. On the other side, implementing and adopting these technology can be an uphill battle for organizations. This is where Optimum Healthcare IT comes into play. We provide experienced technical resources to help assist your organization with various technology applications. We offer IT services to help ensure that both patients and providers can successfully navigate and use patient portals, telehealth applications, and other digital health services. To learn more, visit us at www.optimumhit.com
