Technology at the service of health: how connected health helps us?
What is Connected Health?
Connected health refers to the idea that technology can improve health and well-being by providing users with the tools to manage their own health. This is an approach increasingly adopted by healthcare organizations and technology companies. Connected health is about being proactive, engaged and digital. Connected health has many different definitions. The most popular definition of connected health is the idea that your health data is not just your personal data, but is actually part of a larger system. The idea that instead of just collecting your personal health data, you have the ability to collect and share your own health data with other people and organizations. Your body weight is collected with your Fitbit. Your children’s vaccinations are tracked with a mobile app. Payments for medical expenses are made via your smartphone.
Connected health includes:
- technology platforms that provide access to health data, tools and resources and other services that can help users monitor their health;
- social interactions such as peer support and social networks;
- technology products that can help users manage health issues, such as medication adherence and chronic disease management;
- access to community resources such as doctors’ offices and hospitals, meal programs and transportation.
Leaders in the connected health space monitor how people communicate with each other. They also measure how well people are able to take better care of themselves. The concept of connected health has been around since the early 1980s, when IBM introduced a computer called the IBM Personal Computer. This was also the beginning of online services or e-services. For example, health information and services are now available on smartphones through health portals. The online portal allows users to find information on health care providers, compare costs and insurance plans, and purchase prescription drugs.
How will the rise of connected care change healthcare forever?
The rise of connected care will change healthcare forever. A new era of health care is upon us. Connected care is the healthcare trend taking the world by storm. The rise of connected care will provide a healthier and more sustainable experience for patients and providers alike. It will also create a new integrated model of healthcare that seamlessly integrates the physical and digital worlds. Tomorrow’s healthcare systems will be based on an approach that has created a lot of buzz in the industry lately, convergent care, or “co-care”. This is where the physical and digital worlds come together under one roof. Joint care will empower patients to take greater responsibility for their health and well-being, while offering providers the ability to provide more holistic care and interventions. For example, if a woman is concerned about the risk of falling and has mild cognitive impairment, a physical therapist might assess her for orthotics or assistive devices to help prevent falls. She could also benefit from cognitive rehabilitation through an app that helps patients improve their memory and work capacity with daily reminders to avoid distractions and engage in more meaningful activities.
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