What is Digital Health Technology? What you should know

The digital transformation of the healthcare system has caused disruption on a scale rarely seen in other industries. The term "digital health" didn't exist until relatively recently, but today, offering health solutions digitally is not only a standard service, it’s a competitive advantage.?

Healthcare organizations frequently work with technology innovators to create health tech solutions aimed at delivering cutting-edge solutions before their competitors.

Read on to learn more about digital health, its definition, significance, and some of the current digital tools and technology trends.

What is Digital Health?

Digital Health is a multidisciplinary subject, as it involves applying and implementing digital transformation in the healthcare field. It combines software and hardware solutions with services to meet various needs, enhance people's overall well-being, and give them the tools they need to be more conscious, understand themselves better, and make better health decisions.?

Digital Health technologies cover a wide range of uses in different sectors: from apps that alleviate mental health issues and general wellness, to those that actually operate as medical devices. Additionally, there are applications designed to be incorporated into or used as a medical product, as companion diagnostics, or in conjunction with other medical products (such as biologics, devices, or medications, among others).

According to the FDA, the umbrella term Digital Health includes categories such as mobile health (mHealth) apps, electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), personalized medicine solutions, telehealth, telemedicine as well as wearable devices.

The Value and Importance of Basic Digital Health Services

In spite of its simplicity and widespread use, telemedicine remains crucial for some consumers. It can help people avoid lengthy travel or commutes that risk worsening their health. Digital Health apps and devices can also reduce and even cut certain provider costs, as they reduce the number of emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, and hospital admissions.

The use of Digital Health technology, methods, and procedures results in the creation of a huge database of the various health indicators of users all over the world. This vast amount of data could be used in conjunction with AI and Big Data to draw connections between people's lifestyles and various conditions, determining whether certain decisions lower or raise the likelihood of developing particular medical conditions.

There are treatments that use wearable, implantable, or ingestible devices that provide Digital Health companies with real-time data about issues like heart disease, persistent pain, chronic conditions, and even breast health and fertility.?

Digital Health Tech Requires Rigorous Standards?

Because of the importance of Digital Health Tech, its proper performance is vital. So, to "advance healthcare by fostering responsible and high-quality digital health innovation," the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a Digital Health Center of Excellence.

It's essential to have a tech partner with expertise in digital health to:

• Ensure that your technology complies with HIPAA regulatory requirements with regard to sensitive patient data stored in electronic health records
• Create QA standards and documentation for the FDA’s approval process
• Build iOS and Android platforms that take advantage of the newest mHealth ecosystem platforms and tools, such as Apple HealthKit and Google Fit, which are assisting in standardizing health data and storage methods.
• Design and create technological solutions for various stakeholders with various needs in the delicate field of healthcare

As a leading provider of healthcare technology and digital health services, December Labs has extensive experience in these fields.? We understand what it takes to deliver digital health tech in this unique vertical. Our knowledgeable team is prepared to help you, whether you're just beginning your digital transformation or need technical resources to advance your digital health solutions. Email us today at hello@decemberlabs.com!

Read more about Digital Health, its history, Emerging Digital Health Technologies and how Digital Health improves data sharing while maintaining patient privacy in our in-depth blog: https://decemberlabs.com/blog/digital-health-technology/?