The Importance of Digital Health Enablement
By: Gillian Drukmaler | Business Development Manager
Over the past year and a half, you have no doubt heard that digital health is changing the way we think about health delivery. At this point, it might sound cliché, but the implications are very significant. People are tired of feeling like they are not active participants of their own healthcare. Digital and virtual health change that.
Digital health can empower patients and give a sense of control in one’s own care plan with the ability to be more proactive and participatory. An analog, less-digitized system often created a system of privilege- where those who had the means, time and resources were able to get access, while those that are marginalized were left farther behind. Digital health can enable equitable access for all, regardless of if you live in an urban or rural area, and regardless of your demographics . There are still developments to be made in this area. Many digital health tools still require access to technology, knowledge and connectivity. Organizations need to continue to consider the level of access and connectivity of those living in remote neighbourhoods, so that we can eliminate any disparities (1).
Examples of this kind of digital care and virtual access are:
- AI support for triaging and clinical care
- Digital health screening and appointment reminders
- Access to electronic personal health records
- Mobile phone applications and digital therapeutics
- Virtual disease management and mental health care e.g. Teladoc, Maple, MindBeacon.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health tools have been paramount. People have been forced to isolate and social distance, unable to leave home for over a year. Many do not feel comfortable going to doctor’s offices unless it is essential, and want to have a way of safely managing their health from the comfort of their own homes.
So, what is digital enablement? The use of digital technology such as notifications systems or mobile applications to drive higher engagement with virtual health.
At MEMOTEXT, we like to think of ourselves as the “fabric” enabling this digital healthcare. We act as the digital intersection between the provider (virtual or otherwise) and the patient. Our goal is to work with our stakeholders and partners in a way that is empathy, evidence, and experience driven. We understand that every individual is unique. We understand that needs change overtime. Our platform enables the development of a multitude of digital engagement interventions that are as simple as text messages to as complex as AI driven, digital therapeutic mobile applications and portals. This allows us to work with our clients to create interventions most beneficial for the population in question.
Here’s the thing, the virtual care genie has been let out of the bottle. The benefits of virtual care are being realized. This provides an opportunity for data-driven virtual care enablement and increased engagement. Join us in reducing the barriers to care through technology.
Interested in learning more about the work we do? Contact us at gillian@memotext.com
References
(1) Blandford, A et al. Opportunities and challenges for telehealth within, and beyond, a pandemic. The Lancet. 2020; 8: 1364-1365
Photo from: IEEE Computer Society