Top 10 Digital Health Tools Reforming Patient Care

Posted in Healthcare

The world is evolving rapidly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and digitization is taking over everything, including the healthcare sector. Patient wellness through AI integration is rising, indicating a better future ahead. This blog provides an insight about the top 10 digital health tools that are a must for success in the healthcare industry.

What Is Digital Health?

Digital health solutions are meant to streamline workflows and provide accessible patient care to all. Advanced features like artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and wearable devices improve patient outcomes. They automate administrative tasks and allow remote monitoring to facilitate patients. 

What Are Digital Health Tools?

Digital health devices are a wide range of technologies or devices designed to improve patient care. These may include phones, computers, or other gadgets that track health. Digital health devices are beneficial not only for self-use but also for professionals. They offer easy access to patients through visual consultations and online treatments.

Top 10 Digital Health Tools In the Healthcare Industry

These tools have proven themselves useful: 

1. Electronic Health Records (EHR)

EHR is one of the most significant digital health tools used for patient information storage. It is a centralized system that pools in data and improves its accessibility. EHRs make sure that the data sharing process among healthcare professionals like physicians, nurses, or more, is smooth for accurate decision making. 

EHRs collect a wide range of data in one place, including: 

• Medical history
• Lab test results
• Radiology images

Along with that, this digital health tool also stores personal information like: 

• Age group
• Height
• Weight
• Location 
• Vitals
• Billing information

2. Telehealth and Telemedicine Platforms 

Unavailability of medical professionals in far fetched areas is a common hindrance in the healthcare industry. Digital health tools like telemedicine solutions provide virtual consultation platforms, making quality care available at all times, everywhere.

Patients can choose the form of consultation according to their feasibility, such as: 

• Call
• Secure messaging 
• Information sharing for patients and healthcare workers 

3. Health Tracking App

These apps are digital health tools that monitor overall well-being of the patients. The best part about health tracking applications is their easy access on the mobile phones. They enable users to easily trace metrics like physical activities, fitness, sleeping patterns, etc. Software systems in these digital health apps analyze data and offer solutions to maintain a better lifestyle. 

4. AI in Diagnostics

The healthcare field experiences a high influx of information daily. AI in digital health tools makes assessment of various forms of data easy, improving accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis. Medical images, lab reports, vitals, and pathology slides, are all examples of information that they process with ease. 

Using machine learning techniques, AI identifies issues like a bone fracture, tumor, or other irregularities faster compared to manual deduction. Their precision and speed increase the rate of accuracy of diagnosis, improving patient outcomes. 

5. Mental Health Applications

Digital health tools for mental health applications are becoming popular due to easy accessibility and user-friendly interfaces. These applications serve as a medium for people to manage their emotional wellness without having to leave their homes. 

Mental health apps offer a range of features like: 

• Guided meditation
• Mood tracking
• Access to mental health resources

They act as digital partners to support the users needs by providing solutions to their problems or access to expert guidance.

6. Digital Health Tool For Diabetes

Digital health tools for diabetes care have evolved with time, and many gadgets are now available to monitor and reflect glucose levels. Some of the examples include: 

• Insulin pumps
• Glucometers
• meters, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) 

With these advancements in technology, managing diabetes has become easier and less invasive, increasing its popularity. The use of these devices can alert patients about their glucose-level fluctuations so that they timely adjust their medications. 

7. Health Information Exchange (HIE) Platforms

HIE is one of the examples of digital health tools that allows healthcare professionals to safely gain access and exchange patients’ medical records online. With Health Information Technology (HIT), a patient’s healthcare history and past procedures can easily be reviewed for better diagnosis and treatment.  

8. Medical Wearables

Carrying gadgets around is quite common these days, making medical wearables a popular digital health tool. They offer better accessibility and a non-invasive monitoring process. Devices like fitness bands or smart watches are great at tracking health metrics like the following: 

• Vitals 
• Water intake
• Sleep patterns 
• Physical activity 

They are mostly strapped on and send notifications to alert users. These could be set self-reminders or due to abnormal activity. The notifications are crucial for people who struggle with managing chronic illnesses. Digital health tools like smart watches or wrist bands can help healthcare professionals intervene on-time before the patient’s condition worsens significantly.

9. Business Process Management (BPM)

Document and workflow clutter is a major roadblock in doctors’ way. Digital health tools like Business Process Management (BPM) automate administrative tasks to streamline records and clinical processes, improving workflow efficiency. BPM works as a centralized system where clinicians, physicians, or others can access real-time patient information. 

These digital health tools reduce administrative burdens on healthcare professionals, giving them the leverage to use their time more productively on patient care. Additionally, they also improve the quality of medical services by minimizing human errors. 

10. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

Chatbots and VAs act as virtual companions, providing automated but gauged responses to users regarding their health-related queries. Their key features include; 

• Online appointment scheduling
• Valuable information regarding medications 
• Primary health advice

Digital health tools like chatbots and virtual assistants are available round-the-clock, making them a valuable resource for swift medical query guides. 

The Benefits of Digital Health Tools for Patients

Here are some of the advantages they have to offer: 

1. Improved Access to Quality Care: Digital health devices address the crucial concern of medical help unavailability. Patients in far-fetched areas can safely access quality care without hindrance. This advantage comes in handy for those who live nearby their healthcare practitioners but have mobility issues.
2. Enhanced Self-Management: Self-assessment through these applications exponentially increases awareness among patients and gives them the freedom to take actions for their well-being.  
3. Personalized Healthcare Experience: The data in these digital health devices is useful for devising personalized treatments that aligns with patients’ specific needs.

The Benefits of Digital Health Tools for Healthcare Providers

The advantages are not limited to patients only. Here are some ways healthcare providers can use digital health devices:  

1. Increased Efficiency: Digital solutions like EHRs streamline operational tasks and increase the time healthcare professionals can spend on their patients. Additionally, online consultations through telehealth platforms minimize commute time leading to delivering quality care. 
2. Improved Decision-Making: Smooth access to medical records aids healthcare professionals in making better decisions, resulting in favorable treatment outcomes. Moreover, digital health tools allow them to timely intervene on the basis of information about each patient’s history and current status. 

Challenges and Considerations in Implementing Digital Health Tools 

Even with extensive advancements in this field, there are still some challenges: 

Data Security and Privacy

Since digital health tools make information access easy, it does increase the threat of an accidental or deliberate leak. Software development firms should follow strict protocols during production for data safety. While healthcare organizations must implement measures to protect sensitive patient information from breaches.  

Integration with Existing Systems

Integrating new systems into current ones is a complex task but achievable. However, compatibility is a must to maximize benefit and minimize disruptions.  

Patient Adoption and Digital Literacy

Many people are hesitant to adopt new technologies, including digital health tools due to a lack of familiarity with technology. Implementing patient education can help eradicate these barriers encouraging widespread adoption.

Digital Health Assessment Tools: Measuring Impact and Effectiveness

Here are some criteria on which assessment can be done: 

1. Patient Engagement Rate: Patients’ usage frequency is an effective parameter for understanding its value. 
2. User Satisfaction: Getting feedback from patients with respect to the application usage can detect areas of improvement.   
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Investments in digital health solutions can be justified by their potential to lessen the overall costs associated with traditional healthcare.

The Future of Digital Health Tools: Trends to Watch

Technological evolution is fast and rapidly growing with multiple trends gaining popularity.  

AI and Machine Learning in Digital Health

The incorporation of AI in digital health tools increases diagnostic accuracy while personalizing treatment plans, which is made possible with patient data inputs through gadgets like variables.

Patient-Centered Care Models

It is becoming increasingly important to focus on developing patient-centered care models over traditional approaches. This shift in process aligns well with the advantages offered by many digital health tools available today.

Revamp Patient Care With Digital Health Tools Developed By Folio3 Digital Health

Looking for digital health tools that can enhance patient care? Let our team at Folio3 Digital Health take the lead and provide you with a solution. Our team of designers, developers, and marketers can turn your vision into a reality. We specialize in developing HIPAA-compliant tools and use the latest HL7 and FHIR interoperability standards for smooth integration in current systems. 

Conclusion 

Digital health tools are evolving patient care quite rapidly. Electronic health records (EHR), telehealth platforms, and wearable devices improve accessibility, work efficiency and provide tailored treatment plans. Their use has boosted positive overall health outcomes, benefiting patients and providers alike. Although challenges are present in this field, ongoing advancements with awareness about digital solutions among people can change that!

About the Author