Application of Digital Health Technology

Since many decades, attempts have been made to improve the quality of healthcare through technology. In the recent years, Digital health is playing an important role in healthcare services. Digital health, or digital healthcare, is a multidisciplinary concept incorporating technology with healthcare. Digital health innovations are designed to save time, boost accuracy and efficiency. According to World Health Organization, digital technology is shaping the future of primary healthcare. Using digital technology, it is possible to inform, support and build capacity to empower the health workforce and improve the quality of care.¹ There is incorporation of software, hardware technologies and services to bring about a digital transformation in the healthcare field. Thus, healthcare informatics has utilized the technology and data to improve patient health and quality of care. This broad terminology includes mobile health (mHealth) apps, electronic health records (EHRs), electronic medical records (EMRs), wearable devices, telehealth, telemedicine and personalized medicine. Digital health uses the information and communication technologies in medical and other health fields for managing illnesses and health risks and to promote wellness.²

Apart from utilizing the technologies and tools, digital health has not lagged behind in utilizing the interoperable data, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, robotics and machine learning. Advances in AI has enabled to create newer therapies and vaccines to fight diseases. Digital health technology has been designed to save time, improve accuracy and efficiency. The following are examples of digital health technology.

1. Internet of medical things (IoMT): IoMT is a combination of medical devices and applications connecting to health IT systems using networking technologies. It uses telemedicine technology for an improved communication between patients and doctors. It includes mobile app, smartphone connected pacemaker devices. 
2. mHealth: mHealth utilizes mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to provide healthcare and preventive health services. A person can monitor his/ her heart rate with wearable devices (Fitbit or Apple Watch) and can report any unusual feature noted. Healthcare provider can access the patients’ records and communicate with them utilizing CareAware Connect. 
3. EMRs: An electronic version of a patient’s medical history is referred to as an ‘electronic medical record’. The records maintained over years provide comprehensive medical information of the patient such as past medical history, health problems, prescribed medication, immunizations, and laboratory & imaging data. The data enables the healthcare provider to make appropriate decisions about the treatment of the patient.
4. e-Rx: Electronic prescribing (e-Rx) has replaced paper-based prescriptions with electronic data sent to the pharmacy. This method improves accuracy and increases the safety and quality of healthcare. 
5. Precision medicine: Customized healthcare based on genetic information referred to as Precision (personalized, customized) medicine utilizes the information such as genetic differences, environment and lifestyle, while undertaking the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It involves data collection of a large number of patients, data consolidation and data sharing.
6. Predictive analytics: It is possible to predict health outcomes by using the data and it is referred as ‘Predictive analytics’ (PA). Digital technology involving algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence and statistical methods are utilized to analyze the vast amounts of information and to predict outcomes for individual patients. The caregiver can plan suitable treatment for each patient. This procedure poses the problem of security and integrity of the data. There is lack of regulation and algorithm biases. It must be remembered that decision-making is outsourced to a machine.
7. Virtual reality and Augmented reality: Virtual reality (VR) devices and apps help to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression in aged persons and patients with mental disorders. Augmented reality (AR) enables surgeon to undertake complex surgeries.
8. Telehealth and Telemedicine: It is possible to establish remote access and use healthcare services through Telehealth and Telemedicine. Persons residing in remote places can access health care services by utilizing information and communication technology.³ People can contact through their mobile phones and consult about their medication, and laboratory reports. Through patient portals, medical records and examination findings can be analyzed. Online teleconference has made it easy to make virtual consultations.
9. Wearable technology: Wearable technology has enabled the person to monitor his/her own health.⁴ For example, Fitbit enables counting the number of steps taken per day, monitors heart rate and sleep. It predicts approaching menstrual cycles and fertile windows for women. A wearable device can detect a fall and contact emergency help.
10. Connected devices: Connected devices made their appearance before the use of internet in healthcare sector. Cardiac patients with Bluetooth-enabled pacemakers could send their data through mobile phone to their consultants.
11. AI: Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible to predict the risk of major diseases that are likely to develop in the next four years of an individual’s life. The predictable diseases include cancer, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and stroke. This is derived from the data obtained from health examination and Selvas AI technology. Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science, exhibiting intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals. AI has made the computers think intelligently in a manner similar to human intelligence.

    In our daily life, we encounter a huge volume of knowledge which is not well organized and is not stationary. AI helps in organizing this information. It makes it possible to alter by correcting the errors. The knowledge can be used efficiently, and speedily. A computer analyzes a large set of data and comes to a conclusion with the aid of algorithm.

     

    AI has made its entry in the healthcare industry. AI has been utilized in determining accurate dose of immunosuppressant agents, and anti-cancer drugs.^5,6 Variety of medicines are available to treat cancer and the treating physician may find it difficult to choose right drug for the patient. A machine has been developed which can memorize the literature pertaining to cancer and help in predicting the combination of drugs that will be most effective for each patient. Machines such as Hanover, and Watson have demonstrated superior outcomes compared to human intelligence in many situations. In the coming years, AI could support doctors in providing care to the patients. It can help to solve minor, but pertinent real world problems such as reducing prescription errors or ensuring patients take their medication as prescribed.⁷ 

12. Observatories: It is possible to map through observatories, the digital epidemiology of diseases in a community. The trends and patterns of the diseases and their spread are determined by the digital data obtained through search engines, Twitter and other social media. It must be noted that the data is not produced by any healthcare personnel. This technique had been used successfully to predict the outbreak of influenza and dengue fever. 
13. Biotechnology/Bioinformatics: Biotechnology/Bioinformatics has been used to study genetics and other biological data. This technology is used to manufacture pharmaceutical drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases, and to study DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) to manipulate genetic makeup of cells. DNA testing kits are produced utilizing bioinformatics technology.
14. Medical robotics: Precision machines in the form of medical robotics have made a big entry into surgery. It is less invasive with improved precision and enables quick recovery. The Da Vinci is a robotic assisted surgical instrument. It is controlled by a surgeon via a console. Robotic surgery has been successfully used in cardiac, colorectal, general and gynecological conditions. Robotic nurse helps nurses in collecting the supplies and their delivery to patients, collection and delivery of samples to laboratories and preparation of rooms for patients.
15. 3-D printed prosthetics: The 3D printing technology has brought about revolution in designing and producing prosthetics. 3D-printed bionic prosthetics are customized to the needs of the patient.⁸ Hero Arm is a classic example. The prosthetic arm works through sensors inserted on the wearer’s muscles. The electric signals sent by sensors facilitate the hand to move comfortably.
16. Metaverse: Metaverse is a digital technology integrating human, machine and material technologies, and may help in solving the challenges in the management of chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea-hypornoea syndrome.^4,9 
17. Big data: Health care big data includes collection, and analysis of patient’s data. Vast amount of data is too complex to be understood with traditional methods of data processing.¹⁰ Big data is processed by machine leaning algorithms and data scientists. This large volume of information must be properly collected, stored and analyzed to obtain the details. Big data reduces medical errors by analysis of patient’s records. Software can determine the inconsistencies between the health of a patient and prescription. The analysis of data of a large number of recurring patients can help develop preventive plans.
18. Block-Chain Technology: Block-Chain Technology is a peer-to-peer platform creating an opportunity to store information on thousands of servers.¹¹ It helps in improvement of clinical trial management and in sharing electronic medical records.

Digital health offers help to prevent diseases and lower the cost of health care. It can plan medications needed for a particular patient. Variety of digital tools available are aiding healthcare providers make a proper diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment. It has lowered the healthcare costs by tailoring medicine for individual patients.¹²

Digital health technology is creating a revolution in health care and management of health issues of individuals. Digital health tools have the capability to provide an accurate diagnosis and plan an effective treatment.

Digital health technologies have helped healthcare providers to reduce inefficiencies, improve access, reduce costs, increase quality and make medicines more personalized for patients.

Technology has brought about revolution in health care and the process is bound to bring about startling changes in the coming years.¹³ The healthcare providers throughout the world have realized the potential of technology in improving health care.

The digital revolution is affecting and reshaping health care systems throughout the world. The application of novel digital innovations is likely to bring about improvements in the accessibility, quality, and flexibility of health care for the public.

Conflict of Interest

None