Personalized Care in the Digital Age

In today’s healthcare landscape, the patient is, rightfully, taking center stage as the benefits of personalized care become apparent. No more one-size-fits-all treatment plans. Instead, technological advancements and patient demands are transforming healthcare into a tailored approach that puts the needs of the individual patient first.

The Necessity of Personalized Healthcare

Treating each patient as an individual, instead of as a set of symptoms, has enormous benefits for both the patient and the provider. Tailored treatment plans, attentive providers, and flexible technology like the one offered by SmartCare360 can help patients enjoy

• Tailored education on their specific illnesses
• Preventive care that heads off major problems
• Lower costs thanks to more targeted treatments
• Relevant and accessible information about patients’ health
• And more!

As a result, physicians who leverage technology and attentiveness to treat their patients as individuals provide more effective healthcare, create more meaningful connections with patients, deliver a higher quality of life, and do it all for lower costs.

The Evolution of Personalized Healthcare in the Digital Age

The onset of the digital age, and the technological revolutions that come with it, are making more personal healthcare possible. In particular, this technology has made more information available to both providers and patients.

Today, patients and providers have a wealth of information at their fingertips, thanks to the advances in technology. Here are just some of the ways that the digital age is making health data so easily accessible:

• Wearable devices that provide real-time insight into a patient’s health and lifestyle
• Remote patient monitoring that provides critical alerts when a problem arises
• Electronic health records that put a patient’s complete history at the provider’s fingertips
• Telemedicine that allows patients and providers to connect when in-person is not available
• Messaging systems that allow patients and doctors to communicate whenever and wherever works for them
• Mobile health apps that let patients monitor their health anywhere they are

This information influx makes it possible for patients to take charge of their health, and it allows providers to get detailed insights into a patient’s health and specific care needs. Together, the patient and the provider can now work as a team to develop a treatment plan that works for that unique patient.

How Personalized Healthcare Puts Patients At The Center

Providers used to treat patients according to their symptoms and set ways of addressing those symptoms. However, today, healthcare has shifted to a patient-centric approach that looks at each one as a unique person with distinct challenges, needs, and preferences.

As a result, patients are now at the center of healthcare. Personalized healthcare creates a more collaborative process that allows the patient and the provider to work as a team to discover an approach that works, tweak approaches to make them more effective, and manage chronic conditions more closely.

The Role Of Telehealth In Personalized Healthcare

Telehealth has emerged as an important element in providing care focused on the needs of individual patients. This approach is particularly valuable in remote or underserved areas, where people may have a more difficult time getting in touch with a doctor.

In addition, telehealth makes provider access easier and more convenient, increasing the likelihood that patients will attend routine appointments, reach out if they are experiencing an issue, or obtain healthcare for themselves even if they do not drive.

The Goal: Tailoring Treatment Plans According to Individual Needs

At the heart of personalized healthcare is the desire to tailor treatment plans to meet individual needs. Achieving this goal requires providers to consider a multitude of factors, including

• Lifestyle
• Genetics
• Personal Goals
• Symptoms
• And more

Any attempt at personalized care, and all of the technology provided by the digital age, make it possible for providers to take these factors into account, and to act on them. The more tailored the treatment, the less costly and the more effective it will be.

The Role of Personalized Care In Promoting Preventive Measures and Remote Monitoring

The digital age is also bringing personalized healthcare to the areas of prevention and remote monitoring. Wearable devices, like FitBits and Apple Watches, can track vital signs. Mobile apps can offer personalized recommendations for improving health or managing chronic illnesses. Remote communications encourage discussions between patients and providers. Together, these tools allow providers and patients to gather important data and insights that can improve their treatment and their overall health.

Enhancing Communication Through Digital Platforms

Technology also supports personalized care by facilitating connections between patients and providers. For example, a provider who can see a patient’s entire medical history and recent hospital stay may provide more informed follow-up, while the ability of patients to message or remotely meet with providers makes it easier to have appointments or address concerns.

Ensuring Privacy and Security of Personal Health Information

One concern that often arises from technology in healthcare is the role of privacy and security. How can accessible information also be private? Healthcare organizations are creating ever-more effective ways to lock down patients’ data to only those who should have access. In some ways, digital information can be more secure than paper records that can be accessed without leaving a footprint or sometimes stolen. By implementing robust security measures, encryption technologies, and more, healthcare providers can create both access and confidence with their patients.

Encouraging Active Patient Involvement

Personalized healthcare is now also possible because technology makes it possible for patients to take an active role in their health journey. Educational resources, convenience appointments, and accessible costs all work together to encourage patients to improve their health.

In this landscape of personalized healthcare, SmartCare360 is playing a revolutionary role. This intuitive platform puts everything patients and providers need in one convenient location – From managing appointments to enjoying telehealth, and messaging providers to delivering disease-specific resources. Let us know how we can help you embrace personalized healthcare by leveraging all the possibilities of this digital age.