Columnist

3 healthcare industries that have benefitted from a tech boom

With the world only just now emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear just how important the healthcare industry is for our societies.

For the UK healthcare industry in particular, it has been a difficult battle to keep both NHS and private healthcare services running efficiently. This is where technology has stepped in to help.

The amount of manpower it has taken to keep UK healthcare patients supported during this difficult time has been extensive. That’s why it’s crucial that each area of healthcare has the right technology to help protect its staff and patients.

Here, then, are three healthcare industries that have really benefited from the latest technology.

Mental health

The pandemic has had a severe effect on the mental health of people all over the UK. Since March 2020, around one in three adults have said that their mental health has worsened. This has been due to factors such as loneliness, fear of COVID-19, and lack of access to regular medication.

Mental health technology has had a fantastic impact on those training to be mental health specialists or psychologists. After all, courses and training opportunities can be delivered remotely, such as through therapy web seminar training.

Specialists can also use remote video technology, such as Zoom, to speak to clients that are seeking therapies and counselling. Moreover, they have even found that virtual reality (VR) has been useful for treating anxiety and phobias. VR headsets can help with exposure therapy and can even play a role in improving traditional cognitive behaviour therapies.

Mental health technology has also been extremely useful in the collection of data. Not only can patients contact their doctors via tablets, smartphones and through online servers, but the collected data can help mental health professionals understand the wellbeing of their patients. That way, they can tailor more of the right support towards the individuals who need it the most.

There are even mental health therapies that have been launched through mobile and online chat functions. This technology is perfect for those who want to seek mental health help, but who may feel too scared to speak to a therapist face-to-face outside of a private chat.

Ear health

Hearing care has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years. A game changer that has made audiologists excited is AI and mobile technology for hearing aids.

Hearing aid specialists can use algorithms to pinpoint the user’s environment and how bad the wearer’s hearing loss actually is. That way, the hearing aid can tailor the level of sound that is needed for the user to hear what is going on. What makes this technology so brilliant is that these AI hearing aids can pick out specific sounds and automatically adjust them to the hearer’s preference. This will make the noises feel more natural.

Of course, when it comes to hearing healthcare, there are other forms of technology that can help with additional ear-related problems. For instance, if you suffer from a build-up of ear wax, a professional can help unclog your ear with specialist equipment.

Whether you need to visit a specialist microsuction ear wax removal clinic in Dartford or you go to your closest NHS hospital, you will find that your hearing specialist will be able to take a look at the inside of your ear using a microscope.

Through this form of technology, it can be determined how healthy the inside of your ear canal is. It is painless and the sides of the ear canal can be completely avoided.

Sleep health

Sleep is a crucial factor when it comes to your physical and mental health. It’s said that over 16 million people suffer from insomnia in the UK. That’s why it’s great news that sleep technology has been moving forward in leaps and bounds.

Not only are there sleep clinics that have the latest scanning technology installed to monitor sleep patterns, but the sleep market has grown larger than ever. Nowadays, there are mobile sleep assistance platforms, including Headspace and Calm, that offer relaxing soundscapes, stories and music to which to fall asleep.

There is even technology that can help you sleep by effecting the temperature of your bed and room. Furthermore, you can find technology to help block out blue light from computers that can stop you from falling asleep, including glasses and lightbulbs.

Your sleep therapist can keep an eye on you and monitor the type of technology you use during your sleep cycle. That way, they can determine what is helping and what may not be as useful for helping you sleep.

In summary, then, technology has continued to have a both revolutionary and evolutionary effect on the delivery of all manner of healthcare services – and the above are just three parts of the broader healthcare and medical industry that have seen the impact of that.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →