There isn’t a day that goes by without us hearing about how technology is changing our lives. In this article, we’ll explore different technological trends in Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) and how they’re improving patient outcomes.
Some of the most groundbreaking digital tools in mobile integrated healthcare include reliable rural internet, portable diagnostic tools, and integrated platforms that allow health providers to coordinate patient care. And, as we look forward, we can only imagine how something like AI will begin to change mobile integrated health as it becomes more widely adopted.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss some of these exciting changes more specifically and answer questions about the dangers of moving forward too fast.
What Are Some New Digital Tools in Mobile Integrated Healthcare?
The digital world has opened up new dimensions in every area of life, and healthcare is no different. What’s possible now would have been the stuff of science fiction forty years ago. In this section, we’ll review some of the technological changes. Later, we’ll talk about each of them in more detail.
One note before we get started: Remember that technology innovation doesn’t always mean creating a totally new technology. Sometimes, an improvement on an existing technology makes all the difference.
It’s prudent to remember these nuances as you consider the needs for mobile Integrated healthcare in your area. Sure, we all get excited about the “shiny new thing” on the market, but sometimes, what’s needed is an update to current health tech.
With that said, let’s jump in!
Here are a few technology improvements in MIH-CP:
- Reliable rural internet
- Portable diagnostic tools for practitioners
- Wearable health tools for patients
- Increased use of healthcare apps
- Continued use of telemedicine
- More integrated and reliable software tools
Now, we’ll put each of these points under the microscope and dissect how they can improve community paramedicine and mobile integrated health in your area!
Reliable Rural Internet: The Benefits to Mobile Integrated Healthcare
The improvements to the internet are undoubtedly bringing better healthcare to patients in rural areas, which represent a large portion of the people who require mobile health services.
Now, the internet may not seem like a new thing. Still, the advancements in quality high-speed internet and the ability to affordably bring the internet to rural areas can make all the difference.
The internet is like the modern mail system – it keeps everyone connected. If we look at history, communication began with “The Pony Express” and then graduated to trains, cars, and planes. Just like each of those innovations allowed faster communication, improvements in internet speed and reliability (especially in rural areas) cannot be overlooked.
There are still millions of Americans who don’t have access to the internet – as everyone becomes more connected, mobile health services will improve.
Portable Diagnostic Tools for Mobile Integrated Health Providers
Another significant breakthrough in MIH is the development of mobile diagnostic tools. In the past, all patients needed to be in the hospital to have any advanced testing performed. Sure, doctors could feel a pulse and check blood pressure on a house call, but they could not look deeper into the human body.
Now, point-of-care testing allows community paramedics and nurses to get a better look at a patient’s condition. Some standard point-of-care services include blood lab analysis, wound evaluations and testing, and even X-rays and CT scans in some areas.
Many of these technologies are still in the spring of their development, but you can expect more and more innovations that allow patients to be treated in the comfort of their homes.
Wearable Health Tools for Patients in Community Paramedicine Programs
Many have heard about the new smartwatches that can call an ambulance if something happens. This same kind of wearable technology is improving care in patient’s homes. Yes, patients have worn alert bracelets and necklaces for a long time to call for help quickly, but now wearable technology is taking a step forward.
Many people can now wear monitors that measure their heart rate, breathing, temperature, blood sugar, and more. As more of this technology becomes available, physicians are becoming more comfortable monitoring patients from a distance.
In the past, almost everyone needed to go to the hospital. The care is coming to the patient’s home, changing the hospital’s role in mobile integrated care.
Increased Use of Healthcare Apps: Digital Tech for Mobile Integrated Health
Wearable technology is nothing without the applications behind it to organize the data. What does this mean? This means that a wearable (such as a watch to monitor heart rate) device isn’t beneficial without an app that can collect, store, and present that data to the provider.
More health tracker apps are helping physicians make decisions about patient care. Most providers would agree that having data on the patient’s pulse for the past week is more beneficial than just checking a pulse once at a given time. Trends provided by health apps can also help physicians determine if their prescribed care plan is working.
Continued Use of Telemedicine for Mobile Integrated Healthcare Patients
Remember trying to perform a video call twenty years ago? Compare that with modern video-call technology, and the improvement is astounding! This area doesn’t necessarily have a “new” technology, but an “updated” technology makes all the difference.
Twenty years ago – when video chats were grainy, and the connection was spotty – doctors could not accurately assess a patient remotely. However, today, with high-speed internet, physicians can accurately evaluate and diagnose patients without ever touching them.
In many cases, the community paramedic is with the patient, providing any help to the physician during the video chat and ensuring that the patient can be accurately assessed. This improvement in telemedicine is one of the ways that mobile integrated health-community paramedics help keep patients from crowding the hospital.
Now, let’s talk about software improvements, an often overlooked part of technology innovations.
Integrated and Reliable Software Tools
When a big company reveals a new phone or car, we can easily see and touch this new thing. However, when a company shows a new software update or tool, many of us are left with questions.
Here’s the thing: many times, updates to software are just as significant as updates to hardware (the thing we can see and touch). For this reason, you don’t want to overlook how vital software innovation is to the success of a mobile integrated health program.
Here are a few of the software trends in mobile integrated healthcare (and what they can do for you):
- Improved patient care coordination: Integrated software tools keep everyone on the same page. Imagine if you had a different cell phone for all your family members – chaos, right? The same thing happens in healthcare. Each health service uses a different documentation tool, leading to miscommunication and slow patient care.
- Better unit deployment: Software and data collection tools allow services to understand where to place their resources. This is the old “location, location, location” principle – you have to know where your patients are so you can go and help them.
- Understand trends and improve reimbursement: If a mobile integrated healthcare program is willy-nilly about data collection, it will have difficulty convincing donors and partners to get on board – even if that program has done great things! Suitable software tools allow you to track success and prove your worth.
While we’ve been mostly positive on technology, let’s talk about a few unseen dangers.
Unseen Dangers of Technology for Mobile Integrated Healthcare
There are often two groups of people: those who love new technology and those who hate it. Both mindsets are understandable. We’re naturally cautious about the unknown, so we resist any change – even if it’s for the better. Let’s discuss a few “new technology” common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Dangers of new technology:
- Racing ahead too fast: Some people embrace technology too fast. It isn’t that new technology shouldn’t be adopted – quite the opposite – but learning about the new tech before running too far ahead is essential.
- Lagging behind: Some people never adopt new technology – this is perhaps more fatal than rushing ahead. In a field like mobile integrated healthcare, new health innovations are critical to the program’s success.
- Falling for the “cheap” version: We’ve all seen the “cheap” version of something. This secondary version usually has a lot of hidden issues but will use “affordable prices” as a hook for customers. Be sure to vet the technology tools you adopt for your program, ensuring that they are reliable and can scale to your needs.
Now for a few final words.
Conclusion: Technology Advancement in Mobile Integrated Health-Community Paramedicine
Tech trends in mobile integrated healthcare pave the way for the future. Without new technology, MIH health programs would be unable to function effectively. New technologies are coming out yearly to improve patient care and health access.
A few of the most effective health innovations include digital tools such as health-tracking apps or patient care coordination software. Also, software tools like Julota that help track, gather, and package patient health data can significantly benefit modern mobile integrated health programs.
Contact Julota to learn more about their intuitive, integrated MIH-CP software tools. Also, to learn more about MIH in the modern landscape, see this article on five examples of successful community paramedic programs.