ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res.

11(03), 496-498

Journal Homepage: - www.journalijar.com

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/16452

DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/16452

RESEARCH ARTICLE
DIGITAL HEALTH: THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

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Manuscript Info Abstract
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Manuscript History
Received: 19 January 2023
Final Accepted: 24 February 2023
Published: March 2023
Gulab Tilekar
The field of "digital health" is expanding quickly and uses digital
technologies to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. In
this study, we look at the state of digital health now and consider how it
can change the way that healthcare is provided in the future. Our
discussion of digital therapeutics, wearables, telehealth, and mobile
health covers the major subfields of digital health. We also look at the
advantages and drawbacks of digital health, including data security,
privacy, and moral issues. Finally, we talk about the opportunities that
digital health will provide to patients, governments, and healthcare
professionals.

Copy Right, IJAR, 2023,. All rights reserved.

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Introduction:-
The use of digital technology to support and enhance health and healthcare delivery is referred to as digital health,
often referred to as eHealth or health IT. Digital health has the potential to change how we access, manage, and
enhance our health as a result of the rising use of digital devices and internet connectivity. It includes a broad range
of technologies and applications, including wearable technology, telemedicine, electronic health records, and
systems for exchanging health information.

Digital health has a wide range of advantages, from bettering patient outcomes and experiences to lowering
healthcare costs and boosting productivity. By the use of digital health technologies, people can take a more active
role in their own health management. Remote and real-time care can also be provided by healthcare professionals,
and researchers can access vital data to assist new discoveries and developments. The privacy and security of
personal data, regulatory compliance, and guaranteeing equal access to these technologies are all issues that are
present with digital health, as they are with any new technology.

This research looks at the condition of digital health today and how it might change how healthcare is provided in
the future.

Methodology:-
An online survey was distributed to healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals) in the
targeted region, asking questions related to their awareness and use of digital health technologies in their clinical
practice.

To examine the current state of digital health, we conducted a literature review of existing research studies, case
studies, and industry reports. We searched relevant databases, such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar,
using a combination of keywords, including digital health, telehealth, mobile health, wearables, and digital

Corresponding Author:- Gulab Tilekar 496

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therapeutics. We analyzed the collected data to identify key themes, benefits, and challenges associated with using
digital health in healthcare delivery.

Results of online survey:-

Out of the 100 survey respondents, 70% reported using digital health technologies in their clinical practice. The
most used technologies were electronic health records (EHRs) (86%), followed by telemedicine (57%), mobile
health apps (45%), and wearable devices (32%). However, only 45% of the respondents reported feeling adequately
trained and confident in using these technologies, and 37% reported concerns about patient data privacy and
security. Additionally, there were significant differences in adoption rates between different healthcare professions,
with physicians being the most likely to use digital health technologies and allied health professionals being the least
likely.

Our literature review suggests that digital health has the potential to improve healthcare delivery in several ways.
Telehealth, for example, can improve access to care, particularly for patients in remote areas or those who cannot
travel. Mobile health and wearables can provide real-time data to healthcare providers, enabling them to monitor and
manage patient health more effectively. Digital therapeutics can deliver personalized treatments that are tailored to
individual patients, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

The key challenges associated with digital health include issues related to data privacy and security, ethical
considerations, and integration with existing healthcare systems. Data privacy and security concerns are a major
challenge for digital health, as patient data is transmitted over the internet, making it vulnerable to cyber threats.
Ethical considerations are also important, particularly with the use of digital therapeutics, which can raise questions
about patient autonomy and informed consent. Integration with existing healthcare systems is also a challenge, as
many healthcare providers and insurers are still adapting to the rapid pace of technological change.

Conclusion:-
The results suggest that while there is a high level of adoption of digital health technologies among healthcare
providers in the targeted region, there is a need for further education and training to ensure that providers are using
these technologies effectively and securely. Additionally, there is a need to address concerns related to patient data
privacy and security, and to address the differential adoption rates among different healthcare professions.

Digital health is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to transform healthcare delivery by improving access
to care, increasing patient engagement, and reducing healthcare costs. However, the implementation of digital health
also poses several challenges, including issues related to data privacy and security, ethical considerations, and
integration with existing healthcare systems. Healthcare providers should take a comprehensive approach to
implementing digital health solutions, addressing these challenges to maximize the benefits of this technology in
transforming healthcare delivery.

More study is required to assess the efficiency and impact of various digital health technologies on patient
outcomes, healthcare expenditures, and provider satisfaction because the field of digital health is still in its infancy.
The deployment and use of digital health technology in clinical practice can be guided by evidence-based guidelines
and best practices developed as a result of this study.

Education and training:

To guarantee that healthcare providers are utilizing digital health technology effectively and securely, they should
obtain proper education and training in these areas. Training courses can be created to teach healthcare professionals
how to use the most recent digital health tools and how to solve privacy and security issues.

Collaboration and partnerships are important for advancing the creation and uptake of digital health solutions. These
relationships might exist between healthcare providers, IT firms, and governments. In addition to ensuring equal
access to digital health technologies, these partnerships can assist address the issues with digital health, such as data
privacy and security.

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Regulatory framework:
Legislators should provide a framework that encourages the creation and use of digital health technology while
protecting the security and privacy of personal information. This framework must be adaptable enough to keep up
with the quick pace of technology advancement while preserving patient privacy and safety.

Patient involvement:
To make sure that their requirements and preferences are taken into account, patients should be included in the
creation and implementation of digital health solutions. Patient input can serve to boost patient engagement in their
own healthcare and can help to improve the usability and efficacy of digital health technologies.

These suggestions can help healthcare providers, politicians, and technology companies collaborate to revolutionize
healthcare delivery and realize the advantages of digital health.

References:-
Kvedar JC, Fogel AL, Elenko E, Zohar D, Regan S. Digital medicine's march on chronic disease. Nat Biotechnol.
2016;34(3):239-246. doi:10.1038/nbt.3505
Topol EJ. High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence. Nat Med.
2019;25(1):44-56. doi:10.1038/s41591-018-0300-7
Wicks P, Stamford J, Grootenhuis MA, Haverman L, Ahmed S. Innovations in e-health. Qual Life Res. 2014;23(1):
https://www.healthcareitnews.com/category/resource-topic/digital-health
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/digital-health-technologies.

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