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The new era also witnessed the emergence of a terminology “Digital health” which is
the combination of digital technologies and healthcare. Digital health can be
considered as an application (software & hardware) used through smartphones
or sensor devices for improving the health of the population and health care
delivery. It cuts the communication gap between the physician and the patient.
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New Digital Health Technology
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CRISPR
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)
is gene-editing technology. In simple
words, it is a genetic engineering tool that allows researchers to alter DNA
sequences and change gene function by cutting out infected DNA strands.
Presently the technology under review is controversial. Most
people think that it’s an interference with God’s authorities and unethical.
Furthermore, religious and spiritual leaders also join the bioethical intonation.
[2]
Smart
inhalers
Bluetooth-enabled smart
inhalers are developed for asthmatic patients. The attached device records the
date and time of each dose, then share it with the physician and patient on their
smartphones or tablets. [3]
Three-dimensional (3D) printing
It is a technology that constructs a physical model from
digital data. These printers create implants and joints which are to be applied
during operation. 3-D-printed prosthetics are made according to the patient’s
required specifications and measurement. [4]
Artificial
Organs
There
are three types of artificial organs, namely; mechanical (polymer/metal),
biomechanical (polymer/cell), and biological (cell). [5] The breakthrough of
creating blood vessels, synthetic ovaries, and pancreas is a revolution, which
could save millions of patients every year.
Virtual Reality (VR)
VR tools and devices give a real-life experience to the
medical students in learning about human anatomy. It likewise aids the doctors
to rehearse the procedures of a complicated operation. It assists patients with diagnosis, treatment
plans and prepares them for minor or major procedures. In short, VR revolutionizes
the fields of medical training, patient treatment, medical marketing, and
disease awareness. [6]
Benefits of Digital Health
Internet connection has made it
possible for everyone to approach health services round the clock even in
remote parts. Patients, doctors, and para-medical staff are easily tied in to
resolve the medical issues.
Patients Self-Management
Digital
health technologies allow the patients to monitor and run after their disease
symptoms. Wearable devices and gadgets enable them to self-manage their health
conditions regularly.
Doctor-Patient Communication

Doctor-Doctor Communication
There are a number of patients who suffer from multiple
diseases and require treatment from different
specialists. A constant
sharing of such patients’ details among specialists is very helpful for the
patients. Digital health made it possible by linking the doctors/specialists on
one grid.
mHealth Apps
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Improve
Quality of Life
Patients using wearable gadgets, mHealth apps, monitoring
sensors, etc receive an early warning or emergency signals in advance. They accord priority to healthcare advice provided by these digital accessories and take charge of their deteriorating
health in advance.
Digital
Health and Challenges
Before digital databases, records were kept
through ledgers and registers under proper lock and key in safe custody. Now
records are kept in discs and hard drives (database warehouses) which are
more vulnerable and easier to breach. [9]
Confidentiality always focuses on the protection
of data from unlawful revelation.
Threats of a physical and virtual breach through steeling and hacking
respectively can’t be ruled out. [10]
Data Ownership
The storage, control, and maintenance of data are in the hands of private organizations. These organizations offer paid
services to hospitals and medical substances. The access to the data by the
government, semi-government, researchers, etc. is not possible without the
consent and permission of the owners. According to new rules, which is underway, data ownership should be with the government and not the private
organization. [11]
Cost of Technology
For the establishment of a humongous database
warehouse, lots of funds are required. Since such technological advances need
constant funding therefore governments are always under increasing pressure to
offer more financial resources. [12] Private sector release finances and
don’t share the ownership with others.
Inaccurate Diagnostics
Digital health tools are based on “Artificial Intelligence”
and due to a mechanical, electrical, or hardware/software malfunction the
clinical reports could be wrong. Such reports could be fatal to a patient who gets
the wrong medication on erroneous diagnostics.
Conclusion
Digital health has a positive impact on the human race. The
revolutionary medical advancements in the digital scenario have created an
environment where a quick, remotely and responsive treatment to the patients
can be promised. A significant amount of people disagrees to adapt the latest
digital health, but even then, it is growing exponentially worldwide. The Earth
is witnessing digital health groundbreaking inventions, innovations, and
advances in the area of health care sector on an everyday base.
References
[1] WHO Guideline: Recommendations on Digital
Interventions for Health System Strengthening https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/311941/9789241550505-eng.pdf?ua=1
[2] Michael Chang, “CRISPR: The Promise and Controversy”
[3] “Smart inhalers”
[4] Anna Aimar et. al. “The
Role of 3D Printing in Medical Applications: A State of the Art” Journal of
Healthcare Engineering, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, 2019
[5] Xiaohong Wang, “Bioartificial
Organ Manufacturing Technologies”, 2018
[6] “Virtual Reality in
Healthcare” https://visualise.com/virtual-reality/virtual-reality-healthcare
[7] Alicia Phaneuf, “How mHealth apps are
providing solutions to the healthcare market's problems”, Business Insider, 2019 https://www.businessinsider.com/mhealth-apps-definition-examples
[8] “11 surprising mobile health statistics” para 2, Mobius MD, 2019 https://www.google.com/search?q=how+many+mHealth+apps&rlz=1C1RLNS_enPK890PK890&oq=how+many+mHealth+apps&aqs=chrome..69i57.14822j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
What Do Mobile Health Apps Do?
[9] Saiqa
Aleem et. al. “Security Issues in Data Warehouse” https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1507/1507.05644.pdf
[10] “Managing data confidentiality” University of
Delaware, 2018
[11] “Principles for Digital Development.” Principles
for Digital Development. The Principles; n.d. [accessed
2019 Jan 19].
[12] Team Fund. New
directions in private sector capital for global health technology
innovation; 2016 [accessed 2019 Jan 19].
http://teamfundhealth.org/new-directions-in-private-sector-capital-for-global-health-technology-innovation [Google Scholar]
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