Introduction
Health care refers to the systematic provision of medical services to individuals or communities. Demand for such healthcare is increasing for various reasons, and the healthcare market is gradually growing over time. Information technology helps to make healthcare more efficient and accurate, and these technologies are already used in healthcare. Furthermore, there are many attempts to apply not only existing technologies but also advanced technology to healthcare.
Rising Healthcare Demand
For a variety of reasons, the demand for healthcare has recently increased. One of the reasons is that the economy is improving. People’s income and level of living have increased significantly as the economy has progressed, allowing many consumers to devote more time and money to health care (Salka, 2021). Furthermore, life expectancy and average life expectancy are rising globally, and the aging of many people is one of the factors driving demand for healthcare (Salka, 2021). Furthermore, the world is entering an aging society, particularly in developed countries like Korea and Japan.
Figure 1 :United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019.
Furthermore, unlike in the past, modern health care includes not only managing current health, such as disease treatment, but also preventing future diseases through genetic analysis. As a result, there is a new demand for disease prevention and regular health care. In addition to rising demand, the trend of digitalizing healthcare is a factor, and the healthcare IT market is expanding and expected to expand further in the future (Grand View Research, 2021).
Figure 2: Grand View Research (2019). US healthcare IT market prediction.
According to Grand View Research, the predicted compound annual growth rate of the global healthcare IT market from 2023 to 2030 is 17.9%, reaching a total revenue (market size) of 609.1 billion USD by 2030, which is approximately 3.63 times bigger than total revenue in 2023 (Grand View Research, 2021).
Health Information Technology
Health IT, or health information technology, stands for information technology that is applied to healthcare and health. Health IT includes the collection, storage, exchange, sharing, and use of individuals’ health data (Wallasak, 2018). Currently, many IT technologies are being used in healthcare. The following are examples of health information technology:
- EHR, Electronic Health Records
EHR is a collection of personal health data that is saved online, allowing doctors and individuals quick access to this data.
- Mobile Health Applications
Using health applications that are available on mobile platforms such as phones and smart watches, individuals are able to read health-related information, get feedback based on their health data, and make a long-term plan for health care.
- E-prescribing
Electronic prescribing is a computer-based process that generates and sends accurate prescriptions to pharmacies.
- Interconnected Networks between Hospitals
Interconnected networks allow medical facilities to share patients’ health data, which increases the efficiency of healthcare services.
How can Information Technology help healthcare?
Many processes in healthcare are supported by information technology. Doctors save time by having instant access to patient information, which is accurately stored online. Furthermore, the interconnected information system allows hospitals to see the same data, reducing medical errors. IT benefits patients, doctors, and hospitals all at the same time. Hospitals and doctors can improve their work efficiency and accuracy, and patients can access their medical records from anywhere.
Health information technology is extremely beneficial to both public health and personal health care. Infectious disease prevention, response, and forecasting can be accomplished through health IT, and when an infectious disease occurs, it is possible to quickly share information and real-time situations of an infectious disease, which aids in the suppression of an infectious disease’s spread. The COVID-19 pandemic is one example of how health IT has been used, with health IT assisting in monitoring and slowing the virus’s spread.
Wearable Healthcare Devices
IT technology advancements have made it easier for users to access health-related information, such as receiving medical examinations and feedback remotely and making plans remotely. A health checkup without going to the hospital, on the other hand, is inaccurate and may lead to incorrect judgment. Accurate measurements must be taken using various sensors in order to obtain accurate health information. People can perform more accurate health examinations at home thanks to wearable technology that miniaturizes these sensors and mounts them on mobile devices.
- Smart Watch
One of the most well-known wearable devices is the smart watch, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch and Apple’s Apple Watch.
Figure 3 :Samsung Electronics (2022). Samsung galaxy watch 5
The Samsung Watch, among many others, includes a bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor, an electrical heart sensor, and an optical heart rate sensor for analyzing heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and body composition. Through the fall detection function on the Apple Watch, there is also a function that automatically calls emergency services when the user falls. There have been numerous cases where a person’s life has been saved by using various sensors on a smart watch to detect abnormal symptoms and direct them to the hospital.
- Wearable ECG Monitors
Wearable ECG monitors can measure the user’s electrocardiogram and send the results directly to the doctor. It can also track walking, running, and other activities automatically.
The Future of Healthcare
The health-related industry is expected to grow as more people become interested in healthcare. The wearable market is expected to expand as more people use wearable devices, alongside the expansion of the healthcare and related IT markets. People will see various new technologies, such as disease prediction using AI, applied to healthcare in the future.
References
Davenport, T. and Kalakota, R. (2019). The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare. Future Healthcare Journal, [online] 6(2), pp.94–98. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-2-94.
Grand View Research (2021). Healthcare IT Market Size, Share | Industry Report, 2021-2028. [online] www.grandviewresearch.com. Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-it-market [Accessed 2 February 2023].
Grand View Research (2019). US healthcare IT market prediction. [Online image] Available from: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-it-market. [Accessed 2 February 2023]
Salka, S. (2021). Surge in Healthcare Demand Begins | AMN Healthcare. [online] www.amnhealthcare.com. Available at: https://www.amnhealthcare.com/amn-insights/news/surge-in-healthcare-demand/#:~:text=An%20improving%20economy%20means%20consumers [Accessed 2 February 2023].
Samsung Electronics (2022). Samsung galaxy watch 5. [Online image] Available from: https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-watch5/. [Accessed 3 February 2023]
United Nations (2019). World Population Ageing 2019. [online] www.un.org. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/ageing/WorldPopulationAgeing2019-Highlights.pdf [Accessed 2 February 2023].
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019. [Online image] Available from: https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/ageing/WorldPopulationAgeing2019-Highlights.pdf. [Accessed 2 February 2023]
Wallasak, S. (2018). What is Health IT (health information technology)? – Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] SearchHealthIT. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchhealthit/definition/Health-IT-information-technology [Accessed 2 February 2023].
