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Dr. Kim shares his Top Tech trends for 2013 |
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| Recently, we spoke with Dr. Joseph Kim about the top healthcare technology trends for 2013. Following is his response. |
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| Telemedicine The days of waiting in a doctor’s waiting room may be nearing an end, thanks to videoconferencing platforms that are becoming ubiquitous in almost every home today. Webcams on laptops and mobile devices are making it possible for patients to have a medical encounter with a doctor over the Internet. These “televisits” are forming the backbone of a growing trend called telemedicine or telehealth. In 2013, we will see a growing use of telemedicine for easy-to-treat medical conditions, follow-up visits, and the treatment of mental health conditions. A growing number of physicians and hospitals will offer patients the ability to receive care virtually through the use of web-enabled cameras from anywhere in the world. Telemedicine also includes the use of remote patient monitoring devices to measure and track blood pressure or glucose levels in patients who go home after hospitalization. |
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| Digital Tablets Doctors used to think that tablets referred to medication pills. Now, when people talk about tablets, they are referring to thin, light, mobile computers that are running a variety of operating systems such as iOS, Android, Windows RT, and Windows 8. These touch-based devices are showing up everywhere in healthcare and are being used by both healthcare providers and patients. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is pushing physicians and hospitals to adopt the meaningful use of electronic health records, so in 2013, we will see more slates and convertible tablets being used in hospitals and clinics as physicians and nurses access digitized patient records and enter electronic orders and prescriptions by tapping lightly on these touch-screen devices. |
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| Mobile Apps These days, almost every doctor carries a mobile device. The same is becoming true of patients as well. We are seeing a wide range of mobile healthcare apps that are designed to help doctors work more efficiently and we are also seeing an explosive growth in consumer health apps designed to help patients live healthier lifestyles. In 2013, we will see a growing number of app developers tackling major medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease by creating innovative apps that integrate with disease management and behavior modification strategies. Many of these apps, which are built on behavior-changing principles, are already being tested by major health systems and insurance providers. |
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| Digital Health Records What happens when you give patients access to their personal health records? Some patients may never look at their records, but most will want to review their latest laboratory results, their imaging studies, their medication list, and the disease management instructions provided by their doctor or nurse. What was traditionally paper-based is rapidly evolving into digital health records that can be accessed on almost any type of computer. In 2013, more patients will be logging into their own, personalized patient “portals” where they are viewing their health information, trending data over time, refilling prescriptions, and even communicating with their doctors using secure messaging platforms. |
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| Self-Monitoring Gadgets If you have never heard the term “Quantified Self” or QS, you may think this is referring to a spiritual state of heightened awareness or nirvana, but it is actually a concept that refers to people wearing gadgets to track their movement, their physical activity, and even their sleep. Consider a 3-dimensional pedometer that is tiny and waterproof. The ideal device would have a built-in altimeter, a heart rate monitor, a calorie-burning gauge, and be powered by your own body instead of a battery. In 2013, we will some significant advances in technology as new companies launch their self-monitoring devices. We will also see an evolution in the online social accountability ecosystem that lead to sustainable behavior modifications for weight loss and physical activity. |
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| Data Security When it comes to patient health information, both doctors and patients need to maintain the highest level of security to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality. Given that digital health information is often accessed on a variety of different types of computers and mobile devices, personal health information must be encrypted and protected. In 2013, we will see more robust platforms designed to protect sensitive data stored on computers and mobile devices. We will also see novel applications designed to initiate a self-destruct sequence on the data when it knows that the device may be stolen or compromised. |
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| Gamification Video games are not just for amusement or competition. Game theory blended with the right behavior modification principles can be highly effective in educating patients about their diseases. They can also help motivate patients improve their own management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In 2013, we will see an increase in the use of gamification principles to help patients manage their diseases. We will see new video games designed to teach patients with diabetes how to use insulin. Other video games will foster competition so that people who are overweight will be motivated to eat right and exercise so that they can lose weight and sustain their weight loss. |
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| Computerized Clinical Decision Support Doctors, like all humans, are prone to error. The use of computer-based artificial intelligence combined with the wealth of medical literature that is available online may lead to fewer medical errors and better clinical outcomes in the treatment of certain diseases. In 2013, we will see more physicians using clinical decision support (CDS) systems that are integrated with electronic patient health records. Doctors will have access to the latest clinical evidence and comprehensive health data analytics as they make treatment decisions on each patient. In some cases, treatment decisions for certain diseases may be personalized based on individual genomic profiles and the availability of targeted medication therapies aimed at molecular targets within the body. |
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| We will continue to follow these trends and provide updated information throughout the year. |
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