Just over ten years ago now, Steve jobs brought us into the wondrous Smartphone Era- and ever since this prosperous date, technology is becoming more and more a part of our daily lives and the same can be said for its implementation into work sectors.
Most would agree that healthcare should be very high up the list of priorities in terms of working out strategies to improve and advance it as an industry but hasn’t been paid as much attention has perhaps other industries have.
The good news is that we’re seeing signs of the NHS becoming more digitalised. From the Royal Liverpool are currently using remote sensors which offer round the clock observation to heart attacks, to Imperial in London revolutionising their maternity ward. Though these bigger changes are more eye-catching and memorable, it mustn’t be forgotten that implementing technology into our health service can offer more simple solutions.
By bringing the world of technology to the world of healthcare, information and advice can be shared to a certain extent which will provide control to the individual. It’s hoped that with this recent, more increased implementation of technology will expand people’s knowledge of their own healthcare. In the future, whole services could go online.
There are figures to suggest that GP practices nationwide could benefit from an additional £31 million if they were to have just a percentage of appointments booked via online services. Although, this goes beyond convenience- these online services can change lives.
Katy Goodwin, 32, from Bridlington, shared her experience of postnatal depression and how online therapy helped her through the experience- of all the options she was offered, the flexibility and self-control of going digital was most appealing to her.
“I was offered the route of medication first, which I think is a fabulous platform to get yourself back on an even kilter.
“I knew that for me, that didn’t feel like a long-term solution. It can be for some, and that’s wonderful, but it wasn’t the right course for me.
“You just talk through what’s going on – they almost gave me homework in the form of coping strategies.
“You get a script of what you’ve said, which is great because sometimes – especially if you’re emotional – I know I can’t always remember what I’ve said.”
