This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
Last Updated on June 22, 2021
These days, there’s much more of an expectation for healthcare to be customized and tailored to an individual’s schedule and lifestyle while keeping up a high standard of care. The recent uptick in digital healthcare services and resources however has made this much more of a possibility now than it was before. Now it’s easier than ever for family and friends to get access to digital healthcare.
Here are a few ways to make the most of your digital health resources.
Understand Telehealth
In 2020, nearly 39% of all Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. That’s 24.1 million people out of 62 million Medicare beneficiaries overall. These advantage plans are a great way into modern healthcare solutions, such as telehealth. Many seniors may not be able to leave their homes easily, especially during a pandemic, so telehealth provides a great option for them, as well as for anyone with a difficult schedule.
Make Use of Apps
Data transmission and storage security are imperative when it comes to modern healthcare. Many modern apps make use of a phone’s sensors as well as user input to do things like track calories consumed, track steps taken, and provide basic biofeedback, such as heart rate. With certain apps, these results can be connected to an account your doctor can access, making security a necessity. Providers of telehealth also have to comply with all relevant laws and restrictions regarding who can access what information when it comes to patient records.
Ask Your Doctor
Health technology isn’t just for the realm of FitBits either. Recently, it’s become much more accessible and reliable, even for more serious health issues. Many companies are producing technology that is easily portable while still being reliable enough for official medical use. Asking your doctor if there are any apps you can use for self-monitoring is a great first step you can take as a patient. There are several options available for various conditions, and your doctor should be aware of which ones give the most accurate results and/or if there are any apps or small devices used for official monitoring.
Understand Your Options
Telehealth isn’t just for seniors or those who may have difficulty leaving their house. It can also be a good option for those who need a quick check-up and have a troublesome schedule, or those who are monitoring ongoing or chronic conditions. Telehealth isn’t the best option for all circumstances, but it is more than adequate for the vast majority of them, especially in the realm of non-emergency medicine. Trying telehealth appointments can also be a good way to free up some more time in your schedule or lower the stress that may be caused by travel.
So those were a few of the ways you can start to make the most of your digital health resources in the modern world.
Making the most of your digital health resources can take some research and occasionally some self-advocacy, but ultimately it’s a world well worth exploring. Modern technology has allowed and is continuing to allow for greater flexibility and patient control, all without sacrificing standards of care. This is allowing for more appointments to be made and attended, as well as allowing those with chronic conditions to more effectively self-monitor.
It is also allowing doctors to see patients who may not have the time or the resources to come in otherwise, such as those working multiple jobs. While this alone is not enough to even the playing field entirely, it is going a long way toward a more equal and accessible healthcare system.
