A fundamental problem of advanced economies’ healthcare systems today involves the lack of knowledge and control by patients; and by providing them with access to data can resolve the mentioned challenge.
At present, the internet allows patients to seek online consultations in accordance to their preferences. However, notable transformation calls for a deviation in emphasis from providers to patients and from doctors to data. Even though there are technologies that allow individuals to monitor their own health, there is still a lack of access to their own medical records and the capacity to easily share the information. This access helps to increase treatment efficiency and contributes data to assist in the training of medical algorithms.
The flow of medical data information will result in a transformation because it can result in improved diagnosis. For instance, apps are looking into the possibility of diagnosing illnesses and ongoing research is carried out where sweat is analysed for molecular biomarkers without the need for an invasive blood test.
In addition, it allows for the management of complex diseases. For instance, diabetes apps can help patients better monitor their blood-glucose levels and food intake, potentially lowering extensive harm such as blindness and gangrene; and consequently enhance the efficiency of their care. At present, while health records are progressively electronic, many still consist of data that are unreadable electronically. This can result in treatment delays or worse. Approximately 250,000 deaths in America attributable to medical error annually can be attributed to inadequately coordinated care.
The other possible benefit is the generation and aggregation of patients’ data. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already fostered by a unit of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, to single out cancerous tissues and retinal damage. With the increased streaming of patients’ data through advanced technologies, they will only work towards the enhancement of AI’s capability. Future AIs could probably administer automated medical diagnosis from a description of your symptoms, identify behavioral traits for certain illnesses or diseases. Data aggregation allows for easier identification of patients with similar diseases and to see how they responded to diverse treatments.
Source: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2018/02/01/a-revolution-in-health-care-is-coming
Participate in the upcoming QS Subject Focus Summit – Medicine under the theme of “Advancing the Medical and Health Sciences: Education, Research & Collaboration” from 10-12 October 2018 in Surabaya, Indonesia.