... continued from Cover
with less threatening conditions. Institutions like the National Health Service (NHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) deployed such tools to ease the pressure on overburdened health care systems. But these little medical helpers have been under development for years, and a number of those are available on the market. These range from general symptom assessment to mental health monitoring app Youper. Fueled by the pandemic, their adoption can be expected to rise and we will see more chatbots developed for more specific medical conditions. In the future, patients might even turn to such chatbots as their first contact point for primary care. Patients will then be connected to a doctor in case the automated assistant cannot respond to the raised issues confidently. 4. At-Home Testing Kits: Lab Tests at Your Doorstep One of the futuristic health care innovations that are the easiest to put into practice now is likely at-home testing. With a personal testing kit, one can measure a range of
health parameters that used to be only available in laboratories.
Some are already seizing the potentials of digital health in this sphere. Insurance firm Oscar Health famously incentivized a healthy lifestyle by rewarding U.S. customers with Amazon gift cards for achieving their daily goals as measured by Fitbit wearables. In Germany, at least six health insurance companies reimburse mySugr’s digital diabetes solution, which includes an app connected to blood glucose monitors for easier management of their condition, and this covers 15 million lives. We can expect to see similar approaches emerge in 2022. However, this presents a slippery slope as it can lead to a leakage of one’s privacy and lifestyle choices. With such insights, insurance companies can modify plans and benefits accordingly and can charge premiums for those who are more at risk of some conditions or who are not taking proper care of their health. You can read more of Dr. Bertalan Meskó and Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo’s thoughts at MedicalFuturist.com/top-medical- innovations-2022.
From microbiome analyses to whole- genome sequencing, such at-home lab tests provide crucial, personalized health information in a private and convenient manner, while lifting off additional pressure on health care institutions. The rise of at-home lab tests has also been precipitated by the need to identify COVID-19 infections quickly and effectively. In the near future, these tests could become as easy and accessible as pregnancy tests: cheap, simple enough to use at home, accurate, and not requiring any technical knowledge. 5. Digital Health Insurance: Revamping the Industry With the significant load of personalized health data that wearables and personal health sensors provide, such digital health technologies hold the potential to change health insurance as we know it. For better or worse, health insurance companies are able to know more about the people they are investing in with quantifiable health parameters and can revamp a flailing industry.
CONTINUING TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY Enhanced Sterilization Protocols and Controls
Beverages will be served safely only upon request.
Masks will be provided for the safety of all.
There will be additional time between patients for enhanced sterilization.
All patients will be asked COVID-19 screening questions.
Please reschedule if you have a fever or a sick family member.
Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the office.
Curbside check-in from your vehicle is now available.
Medical-grade air filtration is used in all operatories.
2 • www .JonesSmiles. com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator