Modern healthcare has undergone some big changes in recent years, and the transformation is likely just beginning.
Some of the recent complex technological advancements in the healthcare industry look like they’ve come right out of a Sci-fi movie. Take telehealth, for example. Your grandparents would never imagine that over 40% of adults in the United States seeking healthcare would turn to telemedicine in 2022. Yet, that’s exactly what happened.
Thanks to digital healthcare advancements, it's becoming easier for average Americans to access healthcare services without even leaving their homes. While some may be nervous about the high-tech direction healthcare is taking in this country, it’s obvious that our current course comes with many benefits. Here are just a few ways digital healthcare is transforming the future of American wellness.
Making Healthcare More Affordable
Digital healthcare makes it possible for patients to “see” their medical provider without setting foot in a brick-and-mortar office. The rise of online doctors and therapists is not only more convenient for many Americans, but more affordable as well. Providers have fewer overhead costs when they don’t have to pay rent, utilities, and other costs associated with a physical practice. Many choose to pass some of their cost savings on to their patients by charging lower prices for care.
Digital healthcare is becoming especially popular for mental health services. If you have found the cost of in-person psychotherapy to be prohibitive, consider looking for an online therapist. A quick online search should reveal various affordable online therapy options that have great reviews and work with your budget.
Prioritizing Mental Healthcare
Mental health used to be a taboo subject that was frequently pushed into a shameful “other” category by many healthcare providers. Fortunately, that trend is changing with the rise of digital healthcare and the push to make mental health support more accessible. This is an important shift, since more than 23% of American adults dealt with a mental illness in 2024 alone. Giving mental healthcare the attention it deserves will hopefully help reduce the rising rate of mental illness.
Not all digital mental health platforms are created equal, with some featuring real, licensed therapists and others utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. Unfortunately, AI therapy chatbots could do more harm than good, according to a Stanford study. The study revealed that popular therapy chatbots tend to show increased stigma toward certain mental health conditions. They also offer potentially harmful advice to people experiencing suicidal ideation. You’re better off seeking help from a real online therapist who is licensed in your state.
Allowing for Hyper-Personalized Care
Many healthcare industries are relying on big data and AI to create highly personalized individual treatment plans. Hyper-personalized care ensures that each patient’s treatment plan aligns with their unique lifestyle and biological factors. This can lead to the most effective therapy recommendations and more accurate diagnoses. For the most effective bit data and AI integration, modern healthcare may utilize sources such as:
Wearable devices that track health metrics in real time
Genomic sequencing to reveal predispositions to certain diseases
Predictive health risk analytics driven by AI
Electronic health records to track each patient’s comprehensive medical history
These tools can help healthcare providers offer optimized treatment plans, detect early signs of disease in at-risk patients, and provide precision medication dosing.
Slashing Wait Times
Slashing commute and wait times is yet another way digital healthcare is transforming America. With the traditional healthcare model, patients had to set aside time to drive to a brick-and-mortar location for their medical appointment. Then, they might have to fill out new patient paperwork or sit in a waiting room until their provider becomes available. It’s not unusual for patients following this traditional process to wait 30 minutes or longer, even after scheduling an appointment in advance!
Digital healthcare tools slash wait times commonly associated with in-office treatments. Digital check-in processes give patients the opportunity to complete registration online at their convenience. They also promote better patient flow for less crowded waiting rooms and decreased wait times. And, of course, receiving care online from a digital healthcare provider often means there are no wait times at all.
Improving Preventative Care
Wearable technology isn’t new, but it’s becoming more health-centric and advanced. When paired with predictive analytics, wearable tech puts the power of preventative care directly into the patient’s hands. Healthcare wearables, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, allow individuals to monitor their health metrics in real time. They track patterns and changes in important markers such as:
Heart rate
Sleep patterns and quality
Activity levels
Respiratory patterns
Heart health
Stress levels
This information gives the average person personalized insights into their overall health. It can also offer early detection of disease symptoms so users can proactively seek additional testing and preventative care.
To Sum Up
With the rise of digital healthcare platforms and tools, it’s never been easier for the average person to prevent or treat disease. As digital technologies continue to evolve, they will transform the American healthcare landscape, offering more personalized, efficient, and accessible care. While any major industry overhaul inevitably comes with challenges, the benefits of digital healthcare will likely far outweigh any temporary learning curves or drawbacks.