Technology in health: a revolution in medical-health care

Health is one of the most important engines of developed economies, and there is no doubt that a major revolution in health is occurring due to the increasingly personalized needs that we have as patients. Knowledge has become the engine of change, and technology for health is going to be key in this development. E-health is going to play an increasingly more important role in the way we receive medical care. But what does e-health consist in? What does this concept mean? What are these new technologies in medicine?

The use of new information and communication technologies (ITCs) will allow us to advance towards a new model that not only has a more intelligent approach to health services but is much more centered on the patient.

Below we’re going to go over a few examples of new information and communication technologies that are contributing to the radical transformation taking place in health care today.

1. Artificial intelligence. The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health management is going to be truly important with respect to achieving advances in both diagnostic processes and treatments. AI makes it possible to analyze huge quantities of information, medical records, imaging tests, etc., thereby streamlining research. Robots will also play a leading role in the use of new technologies in medicine. For example, they are being used to help improve the communication skills of autistic children, and remote operations are already a reality.

2. Mobile applications. The use of mobile devices to complement medical care can improve relations among medical professionals and of course the relationships between doctors and patients. Moreover, applications are being developed in which, as patients, we can use these devices to store our information and monitor our health.

3. Telehealth consists in using information technologies to remotely access medical care services. It covers the health system as a whole and includes the entire range of activities, thereby helping education, awareness-raising, prevention, diagnosis, self-care, and treatment.

Thanks to this option, people with reduced mobility or people who live in rural or isolated areas are assured access to these services. Portals for scheduling doctor appointments, for going over test results, and for video conferences between doctors and specialists or between doctors and patients are a few examples of telehealth.

4. Telemedicine. Telemedicine is one of the most notable branches of telehealth. Specifically, it refers to the exchange of medical information through an electronic means of communication. As a result of telemedicine, we can provide health care services even where distances might represent a hurdle.

5. Devices that we incorporate somewhere on our body. Such devices are biosensors that allow monitoring and tracking various aspects of patient health. It is consequently possible to detect and monitor illnesses in a much less intrusive way, a basic aspect in our concept of technology for health.

6. EMR and EHR software. They are platforms that allow patient medical records to be quickly and efficiently managed.

In order for these instruments to be effective –thereby facilitating the development of the heath care system– an important detail has to be kept in mind: they must be available in the native language not only for patients but also for medical and health care professionals. On the other hand, we also have to remember that in less developed regions where telehealth and telemedicine are taking on a relevant role, there tends to be high levels of illiteracy. In such environments, images and symbols are extremely important, thereby making it crucial to localize symbols, colors, etc. in order to appropriately reach the recipient. CPSL is experienced in this area and knows the ins and outs of localization processes.

In brief, both the linguistic and the socio-cultural particulars of every region where new technologies for health are going to be applied must always be kept at the forefront.

Personalized health care makes no sense if patients aren’t able to identify with the language in which they receive all this information, whether as a written message or verbally or visually.

That’s why it is so important to develop each one of these devices, portals or software applications in conjunction with a linguistic partner who is an expert at translating and localizing this type of content, a provider of language services that has professionals who are familiar with the language and particulars of the health care sector and with the local environment, area, and customs. Moreover, it is important to be certified according to the ISO standards* that affect this sector.

Do you need to create an efficient, easy-to-use, audiovisual training program from scratch? CPSL is partnering up with a renowned immersive and interactive technologies provider to offer comprehensive multilingual digital solutions. Contact us to explore the possibilities!

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