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Technology Uptake
Healthcare
the internet changes healthcare – empowered patients take control Industries across different sectors globally depend on the Internet for communication. Healthcare providers, however, lag behind in the implementation of internet solutions. Online social networking is gaining rapid popularity globally and is an important arena for information sharing. While virtual reality is associated
introduction After the introduction of the Internet two decades ago, the number of users has increased steadily and by 2020 it is expected that 5 billion people or approximately 66% of the global population will use the Internet. The internet has redefined the traditional communication media such as telephone, television, music, and film. News media and other printed media, retail, financial services have all adapted to web technology and provide online products and services. Advances in web technology enable new ways of human interaction through social networking. Many healthcare systems, however, have been slow in adopting web technology into their services. Patients will lead the way towards changes in how healthcare services are delivered. An increasing number of patients go online to search for information and knowledge that was previously only available to professionals. Patients use social networks to share personal information about their health with family, friends, and support groups created by other patients with similar conditions. The adoption of new technology enables a shift from paternalistic to conversational medicine. Patients become partners in managing their own condition and seek professional advice from a physician before they make their own decisions regarding their own treatment plans.
with computer games and simulation in aviation it may also benefit healthcare systems. Advances in web technology will provide powerful tools for online information retrieval. Finally, internet technology will enable the patients to access their own healthcare information and to contribute to their own health records.
Social networking and support groups Social networking plays an increasingly prominent role in healthcare. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter transmit user-generated media such as text, video and audio among a group of people with common interests (friends, family, profession etc.). Social networks may be used to share healthcare information between consumers, between patients, and between patients and healthcare professionals. For instance, health information such as blood pressure,
Source: www.patientslikeme.com
The application of social networking in healthcare enables a two-way sharing of health information between patients (peer-to-peer) and may improve communication between patient and healthcare professional with potential cost saving effects.
Virtual Reality A skilled and knowledgeable workforce is essential for a safe healthcare environment. Advancement in game technology facilitates new approaches to continuous education and training in modern healthcare systems through the Internet. Virtual reality (VR) refers to computer-simulated environments that simulate physical presence in the real world. The sensory input is usually visual either on a computer
social networking and support groups
ECG, body weight, results from home testing, and drug compliance, may be shared online with whom the patient decides, e.g. designated healthcare professionals.
Internet Blogs
Source: www.mayoclinic.com
screen or through stereoscopic displays and auditory through speakers or headsets. Developers may create virtual hospital environments with patients and healthcare professional avatars for simulation of clinical skills and team work to improve work force skills. Disseminating health information in the virtual reality via the Internet provides effective health communication and produce reallife health results at low cost and with high impact.