How Technology is Changing COVID-19 for Medical Professionals

By: Abhiti Khare

Editors: Ishita Verma and Amisha Papneja

Due to the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus, people around the world are unable to resume their personal and professional lives. Like many others, those in the medical field are experiencing change. However, these differences are manifested in distinct ways across lines of work. Some barely have work while others are overwhelmed. Nevertheless, technology has proved beneficial in these times.

Alternatives for Declines in Revenue

For an alarming number of physicians, there is a steep decline in revenue as a direct result of decreasing volumes of patients. People are fearful that seeking care in person could aggravate the risks of contracting COVID-19. Consequently, the revenue of private clinics, especially, is suffering, and the inability to cover operating expenses easily is pushing practices to utilize unusual methods. For instance, some private clinics are creating pages on crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe to raise money for overhead costs. While the funds are not as substantial as preferred, they prevent practices from closing down.

Telehealth and Telemedicine

Telehealth is the use of telecommunication technology and electronic information to provide health-related care and services remotely. Meanwhile, telemedicine refers to the practice of medicine to aid people seeking care at a distance. Both of these emerging methods combined are essential to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in clinics and hospitals. By allowing people to consult physicians and other medical professionals online, they enable lessening the use of traditional health services for non-urgent matters.

Monitoring Patients’ Progress

Smartphone apps are being used to monitor patients’ progress remotely, without needing people to visit clinics or hospitals over and over. Again, this technology helps reduce the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 by minimizing human interaction. Software tracks registered patients’ locations with GPS and often records answers to medical questions. Different databases and systems correlate their data with that of others and update statistics via national departments of public health. This assists the general public in staying current and alleviates stress off of medical professionals as well.

Supply Chains

With the online shopping of common medical supplies such as masks and gloves among others, technology in supply chains is essential. Robots and drones can be used for disinfection and delivering products. Within healthcare areas, drones can disinfect effectively and robots can deliver medical supplies, further minimizing the risk of infection. Thus, companies are striving to produce more robots and drones developed for these functions.

Sources

• How Technology is Helping Healthcare Practitioners Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic - thejournalofmhealth.com

• Technology Helps Doctors, Health Industry Track Patients, Treatments - voanews.com

• 5 Ways Healthcare Tech is Helping Tackle Coronavirus - healthtechmagazine.net

• COVID-19’s Crushing Effects on Medical Practices, Some of Which Might Not Survive - jamanetwork.com

• What’s the difference between telemedicine and telehealth? - aafp.org