Digital Medicine – Good or Bad, What are the Problems

Digital Medicine and Its Emerging Landscape

Digital medicine represents a transformative approach to patient care. With the integration of information technology, healthcare professionals can provide assistance more swiftly and efficiently, managing large volumes of data seamlessly.

In this article, we will explore the most promising digital innovations in the medical sector that emerged in 2022 for potential investors. We will focus on new technologies such as intelligent computer systems, Big Data, and telemetry, which are already being employed in many clinics to address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Additionally, we cannot overlook the investment attractiveness of telemedicine, which has rapidly gained market share over the past two years.

Key Features of Digital Medicine

The combination of computer equipment and telecommunications enables several critical tasks in healthcare to be performed remotely, including:

– Monitoring patients’ conditions, providing delayed consultations, and maintaining electronic medical records.
– Facilitating the purchase of medications from online pharmacies through electronic prescriptions.
– Allowing doctors from regional hospitals to consult with leading specialists remotely.

Telemedicine equipment can also enhance the efficiency of ambulance teams. It’s crucial to note that the successful integration of communication tools in healthcare depends on improvements in the legislative framework.

Telecommunications infrastructure serves as the foundation for digital educational platforms, enabling interactions between students and educators as well as the advanced training of medical professionals. These platforms facilitate access to specialized literature in electronic libraries, conduct remote lectures and seminars, and even broadcast surgical procedures. Importantly, one significant aspect of telemedicine is its role in improving public health literacy.

Another key area in healthcare education involves using telehealth communication services to make informed clinical decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment. These services can be beneficial in evidence-based medicine by providing access to databases and scientific publications, allowing researchers and practitioners to share information.

Google, HP, and Philips: Setting Standards for Digital Medicine

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has pioneered an initiative to develop standards for digital medicine. In August 2020, major companies like Google, Philips, and HP joined this project, which aims to establish a common terminology for clinicians, software developers, and hardware manufacturers. Experts assert that the absence of these standards currently hampers the growth of digital startups, whose potential is immense.

There are two key reasons for the urgency of this initiative:

1. The development of regulatory requirements by government organizations.
2. The establishment of cost-reimbursement programs by pharmaceutical companies.

Experts warn that without such standards, the term “digital medicine” could devolve into a mere marketing gimmick, emphasizing the need to differentiate between the general medical field and surgical interventions.

In addition to Google, Philips, and HP, other companies have also joined the effort.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Medical Services

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for digital technologies in healthcare. These technologies have become essential for both doctors and patients, especially as many patients have faced difficulties accessing in-person consultations due to quarantine measures.

In response, various digital services launched initiatives during the past year. For instance, a new COVID-19 information service for medical professionals was introduced, and MTS provided clinics with a mobile application to facilitate remote consultations for patients with cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, MMT, a leading developer in online counseling, announced methodologies for providing psychiatric care to children via telecommunications.

Despite the attractiveness of many startups, not all will achieve monetization due to regulatory hurdles. Excessive regulation in India, for example, has been a widely recognized challenge. Since the implementation of telemedicine legislation in January 2018, only two business projects have seen success.

Nevertheless, there is hope for looser regulations in digital medical technologies, especially as pandemic-related restrictions lay the groundwork for essential interfaces between doctors and patients that must be adopted in the coming years.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that medical technology is a burgeoning market. Many experts and healthcare professionals are optimistic that revisions to certain legislation related to healthcare will attract funding in the form of state grants and investments, ultimately benefiting the sector as a whole.