Recent technological developments have changed the way we do business. The integration of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has reached almost every industry, including healthcare. With new tech trends constantly emerging and evolving, it’s evident that the future of healthcare lies in technological developments. After all, some of these developments can be life-changing, as they allow doctors and patients to communicate faster and thus act faster in emergencies.
​The Benefits of Technological Improvements in Healthcare
The IoT brings many benefits to doctors and patients thanks to the improvements in healthcare services. One of the examples of how technology is changing the healthcare sector is the possibility to access healthcare services remotely. This allows patients to manage their data more easily. They no longer have to go to the doctor’s office to get the necessary information. Patients can access online portals from the comfort of their home and see all of their medical test results. It is also possible to schedule real-time appointments or request prescription refills.
Another significant tech development integrated into healthcare is chatbots. They can be used to help patients find the necessary information and gain insights into their conditions. Cloud computing has become an essential and unavoidable part of the healthcare services, too. It increases the accessibility to data to both patients and doctors. Other technological trends that are being used in healthcare include digital patient room whiteboards, as well as patient and staff identification systems. Overall, the integration of technology in healthcare services has improved communication, accessibility, and responsiveness. And there’s no doubt that this is crucial in saving lives and treating various conditions.
​The Negative Side of Technological Improvements in Healthcare
Unfortunately, the use of technology in healthcare comes with a negative side as well. With cloud computing and online data becoming more widespread, doctors and patients are exposed to various cybersecurity threats that can lead to data theft and security breaches. Cybersecurity threats have drastically increased in the last couple of years. This leads to concerns over patients’ safety and privacy. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a cybersecurity plan and follow security frameworks to ensure all data and accounts are protected.
Maintaining security by complying to certain regulations and standards can make a huge difference in the outcome of healthcare services. It is recommended to follow the NIST cybersecurity framework, which is a collection of rules and regulations designed to keep infrastructure safe from breaches and cyber attacks. Unfortunately, data theft and other forms of unauthorized access can be a result of poor security on both sides. In other words, poor security settings on patients’ devices can lead to breaches and other devastating consequences.
​Keep Your Data Safe
Users who access healthcare services remotely or check their medical records while connected to an unprotected server are exposing sensitive data to third parties and hackers. One way to go around this issue is to connect to a virtual private network to encrypt sensitive data and hide information from third parties. VPNs significantly improve security by hiding the user’s IP address and allowing them to stay anonymous online. Reliable encryption makes the user’s data untraceable, which enables them to safely browse the internet or access confidential files. Choosing a suitable VPN service to protect data and devices might be challenging. Below are the key pointers that can help users find a reliable VPN service provider.
Start by avoiding free VPN services, as there are plenty of them currently available on the market. It is understandable how a free VPN might sound attractive. However, such service does not guarantee full encryption. Moreover, most free VPN services record users’ data for their own advertising purposes. Instead of opting for free solutions, users should look for paid services that have a zero-logging policy. Other features that should be included in the package are fast server connection, reliable customer support service, as well as a broader range of available servers and locations.
​Conclusion
The integration of advanced technologies has already transformed healthcare services in a positive sense. Patients are now able to connect with doctors and access their medical records faster than it was ever possible before. It is clear that technology is going to play an important role in the future of healthcare services all over the world. However, as beneficial as the IoT can be, it is also a source of risk for both patients as individuals and entire healthcare systems. The recent developments in the field of technology are turning healthcare services into primary targets for cyber attacks. According to WelchAllyn, a total of 477 recent healthcare breaches affected more than 5.6 million patients’ records. Thus, it is highly recommended to treat the topic of cybersecurity seriously and raise awareness regarding its role in healthcare.
Harold is a cybersecurity consultant and a freelance blogger. He's currently working on a cybersecurity campaign to raise awareness around the threats that businesses can face online.