First and foremost, we need to grasp what digital health is, and what comes under its purview. The field that encompasses digital health and general wellness is on the tide of expansion. Originally conceived of as related to the delivery of healthcare and how technology aids in the care and management of patients, digital health has to also include broader topics. This includes the mental wellness of children who are being raised in the age of digital technology.
So, what exactly is the meaning of digital health? It’s a simple concept that basically means the use of technology in the field of healthcare and medicine. It is also known as telehealth or telemedicine. Digital health covers everything from sensors that are ingestible, to bracelets that are worn to detect heart health and blood pressure.
Mobile apps that are used to aid in the knowledge of certain health conditions and robotic surgical machines also come under the telehealth umbrella. Administrative work such as the accurate detection and storage of patient history and medical records is also a part of digital health.
Importance
Digital healthcare industry has very noble aims – first, to prevent diseases and diagnose medical conditions with precise diagnostic digital machines, devices and tools. Digital health aids in collecting information on health markers, right from the level of activity to the level of sugar in blood. It, therefore, aims to provide patients with monitoring devices so that they can improve their health by modifying their lifestyle. With the advent of digital health, it is expected that people maintain good health independently and have less of a need to visit a medical practitioner.
Another way that digital health works, is by helping medical professionals diagnose medical conditions early, and prevent an escalation of illness. By helping to treat symptoms before the condition becomes serious, machines and artificial intelligence (AI) devices can effectively shorten the life of an illness or disease.
Predictions and prognosis becomes easy. This brings down the cost of treatment for patients as well. In healthcare systems where health insurance can be an issue for many people, this provides an assurance of not having to stress over health problems.
Remote Care
Through digital scans and telehealth consultations, doctors can conduct remote examinations on patients without them having to go into a clinic physically. Through video chats, a doctor has a way to conduct a no-contact examination of a patient and can determine, at least, basic health issues.
This is a cost-effective way to have an evaluation of one’s health and well-being. Doctors can also instruct patients on warning signs and how to examine themselves physically for certain symptoms. They can prescribe medication digitally as well.
Parents and Digital Health
In the field of digital health and its relation to children, the concept takes a slightly different turn. While the benefits of digital health carry over to child health issues too, where children are concerned, parents are more preoccupied with the way digital devices adversely affect children. While there is universal agreement that technology and device usage will impact generations to come, research suggests how parents can glean the good out of all the usage of smart devices.
For one thing, experts recommend that parents teach their children to use devices, not just as a means to pass the time, but to actually be of some use. Instead of using smartphones to be on social media excessively (as most of this generation is), it is recommended that parents limit smartphone time, and encourage physical activity, perhaps by teaching their kids how to monitor their own physical health through intelligent apps.
Parents can also constructively teach their children the importance of certain practices like getting required amounts of sleep and nutrition through apps. Through resources and databases, parents can determine the psychological and physical well-being of their children and learn about solutions and preventive care (check out the symptom checker of the Mayo Clinic).
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