Medical Technology

New Technology in Health Care Delivery
Name:
Institution:

Abstract
Rising expenditure in healthcare has created concerns on how quality can be improved at relatively lower costs. With the success of technological advancements in several other sectors such as communication and transport, innovations in the health sector may thus solve some of the issues being faced in the industry. Some of the achievements of new technology will include reduced health care costs, improved quality of services, empowering citizens to actively participate in health care agendas, and information integration. Through new and better ways of operations, cost of care can be effectively reduced. Ease and fast accessibility to medical care advance the quality of services. Empowering individuals to take a more active role and concern in health matters will lead to better decision making. Integration of health data ensures that the most current data is put in the forefront to ensure comprehensive patient care. A healthier nation will be attained when the public is more aware. New Technology in Health Care Delivery
The health of a nation is considered a measure of the people’s standard living hence perhaps the reason as to why most of the government spending goes to the medical sector. In the wake of seeking ways to improve health care delivery, there are concerns about how to do so at minimal costs. Reduction of costs does not, however, imply compromise of quality. Technological advancements have been successful in simplifying and improving operations in sectors such as transport, manufacturing, and communication.

New technology in health care delivery may be the solution to reducing health care costs, increasing quality of services, empowering citizens to actively participate in health care agendas, and giving rise to a society of integrated information.
Reduced health care costs
The future of healthcare rests on technology and not government politics (Fasano, 2013).Through new technology, individuals will be able to find solutions to their health problems at the comfort of their location. Some of the online medical services are relatively less costly in comparison to those sort physically from health institutions. New technology aimed at replacing current expensive alternatives and preventing costly health outcomes will lead to the reduction of medical care in general. The advancements so far have been criticized for having been the reason behind increased medical costs. It is, however, important to note that technology comes with a price tag and initial high costs may be the price people will have to pay before the benefits begin to be fully felt (Geisler & Heller, 2012). New technologies will also address the shortcomings of existing mode of operations thereby improving it. The benefits of technology in any area at times may take the considerable amount of time before it is fruitful. According to Fasano (2013) technology allows real-time personalized care that is affordable. Spath, P. & Spath, L. 2009 observes that although the costs may seem to be on an upward trend, in future, they will be eliminated by the improved instant and timely delivery of care. Through increased patient’s involvement and collaboration and integrated data among health service providers, best treatment will be administered consequently leading to a healthier population. With a population that is in good health, costs of medical care significantly reduce.
Improved quality of services
Clinical decision support systems and healthcare artificial intelligence are among health advancements that have so far proved to improve the quality of care delivery. According to Martinho, Cruz-Cunha, and Varajao (2013), the expertise is set on transforming care experience for both patients and caregivers. Through new technology, sick people are able to communicate their symptoms way ahead of the physical visit giving doctors enough time to analyze the data and come up with the best medical solution. A clinical decision support system saves time for both parties as it derives possible problems and provides a list of solutions to the physician (Martinho, Cruz-Cunha, &Varajao, 2013). Unlike in past practice where the doctor would be busy feeding information into the computer or trying to retrieve medical records of a patient during a visit, artificial intelligence will make the appointment more personal and productive as all the attention and focus of the physician is on the ill individual. Health care delivery will be more geared towards quality. Complexities in care delivery in America is one of the causes of poor quality especially in public institutions (Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2013). According to (Shi & Singh, 2014), the United States health care system is a combination of industries and professions with varying cultures and goals which each seeking to achieve. The goals unfortunately often have little relationship with quality care provision. Through new technology, a cohesive and ideal culture will be generated to ensure a better quality of services.
Empowering citizens to actively participate in health care agendas
New technology will make citizens more actively involved in health matters hence increasing improving health status of the nation. Chronic illnesses have been noted as being the leading reasons behind the high medical costs (Shi & Singh 2014). Systems such as AI makes patients and the general public more aware of their medical situation. Social media works as information platforms where the public gets more involved in their health affairs not only by choice but also through information. Martinho, Cruz-Cunha, and Varajao (2013) point out that social media convergence has improved medical service level. Assimilation of clinical technology and biometric devices in the home setting is one of the ways that health Knowledge is passed to the public. Modern devices such as ventilators, pipes, and glucometers that can be used by patients outside the hospital setting, calls for the familiarity of operation by family members of the ill person. Increased public involvement will also lead to reduced cost of care. Armed with a vast knowledge of medical data, people will be able to make better decisions with regards to their health. For instance, being aware of the effects of chronic illnesses, better lifestyle decisions will be made. Innovative disease management solutions emerge in an information empowered environment. Advanced information systems will thus lead to a well-equipped public that takes the active role in health affairs.
Integrated information
One of the successes of medical progress has been the incorporation and sharing of information among medical practitioners. Care connectivity consortium national health information network has been made possible through health information exchanges (Fasano, 2013). Cohesive information between various physicians of a patient also ensures keeping track of the person’s medical history. Creation of comprehensive patient-centric care makes it possible for doctors to better attend to their clients (McWay, 2013). Using integrated new systems, the U.S. medical institutions will be able to establish policies that are inclusive of all vital needs. Medicaid and Medicare coverage in America has been found to be lacking in some aspects such as health insurance exchanges, the individual mandate, and insurance deduction (Shi & Singh, 2014). Citizens have complained of rising deductions which interfere with their purchasing power. The health sector is very dynamic, and the information is always changing every single day. Health professionals often have a difficult time keeping up with the latest data. Through new technology, relevant and most current information will be put at the forefront easing the work for physicians while ensuring the quality of care is not compromised. Electronic clinical data will replace the voluminous and outdated medical service with a more quality focused model.
Conclusion
By open sharing of medical information between patient and medical consultants, not only do patients get involved in their care but also increases their trust with the kind of service they receive. Patient’ transparency is essential if the market forces’ efforts to naturally contain growing costs of medical care are to succeed. Reduction of health costs, improved care, increased public participation and collaboration, and availability of integrated information will be effectively achieved through new developments in the medical world.

References
Fasano, P. (2013). Transforming health care: The financial impact of technology, electronic tools and data mining. John Wiley & Sons.
Geisler, E., & Heller, O. (Eds.). (2012). Managing technology in healthcare (Vol. 1). Springer Science & Business Media.
Martinho, R., Rijo, R., Cruz-Cunha, M. M., & Varajao, J. (Eds.). (2013). Information Systems and Technologies for Enhancing Health and Social Care. IGI Global.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., & Chaffee, M. W. (2013). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare-Revised Reprint. Elsevier Health Sciences.
McWay, D. C. (2013). Today’s health information management: An integrated approach. Cengage Learning.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2014). Delivering health care in America. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Spath, P., & Spath, P. L. (2009). Introduction to healthcare quality management (Vol. 2). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.