Ways Digital Healthcare Should Be Viewed as a Solution, Not a Worry

Digital healthcare solutions are having their moment in the post-pandemic landscape. With the rise in popularity of digital healthcare, some have expressed concerns surrounding the safety, security, and efficacy of digital healthcare approaches. However, digital healthcare should not be viewed as a cause of concern; rather, it should be viewed as a solution to many of the healthcare woes that both patients and providers have wrestled with over the years.?

Slow to Adapt

The world is going digital in almost every sector imaginable — education, banking, shopping, and entertainment, to name just a few. Prior to the pandemic, digital solutions in healthcare were lagging behind those in other industries; Covid inadvertently thrust digital healthcare and virtual medicine to the forefront. Many became acclimated to virtual office visits, the use of online pharmacies, and the use of AI in medicine. Even more found that these digital solutions were helpful in improving their health, saving them time and money, and making the whole process of managing healthcare easier. Still, concerns lingered, especially among those not well-versed in technology.?

Safety and Security Concerns

One of the main concerns for people relying on digital healthcare solutions is the safety and security of their private health data. Providers utilizing virtual health software or electronic medical records often tout their HIPAA compliance , but healthcare systems are not immune to hacker-derived data breaches. Data breaches in healthcare settings can be costly and erode patients' trust.?

However, new technology and compliance innovations in data security stress the importance of risk management and identifying possible vulnerabilities before they become massive problems.?

The Issue with Adaptation and Connectivity

Another concern that people may have is their lack of technical ability or connectivity, as there still exist disparities regarding internet access and use. According to Pew Research , racial minorities and those with lower levels of education are more likely to have limited or no internet access at home.?

To combat this disparity, government programs have been proposed and implemented to help disadvantaged households pay for broadband access . A Broadband Internet for Rural America Act is also still under consideration in Congress. As the benefits of digital healthcare solutions become more apparent, and their usage becomes more widespread, there will be an impetus for the government and infrastructure to keep pace with increasing demand.

Healthcare Solutions?

While safety, security, and access continue to be concerns, the status of digital healthcare as a solution to long-standing problems is becoming more accepted. As we saw during the early days of the pandemic, digital healthcare can quickly and effectively bridge gaps and supply provider access when patients are homebound. Digital healthcare can also work to keep others healthier by circumventing the issue of crowded waiting rooms.?

Studies show that younger generations are quickly adapting to digital healthcare. Telehealth options have expanded dramatically in the last decade, and most younger generations are already acclimated to these digital options, meaning they likely have fewer worries about security and connectivity.?

Interoperability has also improved with digital healthcare solutions. The communication between providers and patients, primary care providers and specialists, or providers and pharmacists have long been concerns of patients. With digital solutions, this interoperability and communication can be greatly improved. Solutions like multi-accessible electronic medical records (EMRs) can help improve patient care through better access to medical information.?

Digital healthcare can also help patients cut medical costs in a healthcare climate that is getting increasingly expensive. Medicare , Medicaid , and private insurances are becoming more apt to offer coverage for digital healthcare applications. In addition, digital solutions — including digital health monitoring options, such as Continuous Glucose Monitors — have greatly improved health outcomes, leading to long-term savings in healthcare costs.?

While worries about the takeover of digital and virtual health options may remain, the benefits of such solutions far outweigh the possible negative issues. As providers and patients continue to invest more time and energy into the array of digital options becoming available, more patients will continue to adopt them and discover these benefits for themselves.?