How Technology Is Transforming Care

Technology has revolutionised healthcare by making the process more efficient, accurate, accessible, and personalised. As it continues to evolve, medical care is shifting towards a model where digital tools work alongside face-to-face care to enhance outcomes for patients.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), health professionals and researchers have been exploring advanced telecommunications and computer technologies for over 30 years to improve patient outcomes. From diagnostic imaging to virtual reality, the impact of technology on care is wide-ranging and significant.

Technology makes care more efficient

Automation has streamlined many routine healthcare tasks, such as prescription refills and lab test requests. Electronic health records (EHRs), for example, give healthcare providers access to a patient's medical history from anywhere in the world, leading to better-informed decisions.

Online pharmacies are another advancement, allowing patients to order medication from home without needing to visit a physical location.

These developments have made healthcare more efficient and accessible, allowing professionals to deliver care faster and patients to access the support they need more easily.

Technology supports greater accuracy in diagnosis and treatment

Modern tools such as CT scans and MRIs provide detailed internal imaging, enabling more accurate diagnoses. Innovations in pharmaceuticals and medical devices have also led to improved patient outcomes and a reduction in medical errors.

Technology still allows for personalised care

Digital health tools enable patients to track their own health data and communicate with clinicians in new ways. Wearable devices and health apps can monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and other vitals, allowing for more tailored care.

This shift means healthcare can now be adapted to the individual - moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and towards bespoke care plans based on real-time data.

Technology can reduce healthcare costs

Many medical procedures that once required hospitalisation can now be carried out in outpatient settings, thanks to innovations in medical imaging and surgical techniques. EHRs also improve efficiency, helping to reduce costs for both providers and patients.

Virtual reality is redefining healthcare

Virtual reality (VR) is being explored across multiple areas of care:

• ›Surgical training – allowing professionals to practise in safe, simulated environments
• ›Anxiety management – helping patients stay calm before or during procedures
• ›Pain relief – used during labour or other painful experiences
• ›Phobia treatment – supporting exposure therapy in controlled environments

Supporting post-injury rehabilitation

VR technology is also making a difference in rehabilitation. One example is Bandit’s Shark Showdown, a VR game designed to support stroke recovery by helping users complete repetitive arm movements using a robotic device.

Even low-cost technologies like Microsoft Kinect are being used to help patients rebuild strength through movement-tracking games that are engaging and therapeutic.

Welcome to the age of telemedicine

Telemedicine refers to the use of communication technology to deliver care remotely. It includes familiar approaches, such as telephone consultations, and more advanced innovations like telesurgery, where surgeons guide robotic instruments remotely using live data.

Applications vary in complexity and cost - from video consultations to asynchronous sharing of digital images for review by consultants. What unites these technologies is the potential to improve access, flexibility, and outcomes across the healthcare system.

How Tessa Gough Associates can help

While technology cannot replace care, it can enhance it. At Tessa Gough Associates, our expert witnesses keep up to date with the latest innovations in care technology. Many of our team attend events such as Naidex and the OT Show, and we regularly share updates at our expert witness days.

When compiling Care, Aids and Equipment reports, we remain focused on ensuring our recommendations prioritise safe, high-quality, and dignified care - including the thoughtful use of technology where appropriate.

If you’d like to speak to a member of the team email us at info@tessagough.co.uk. Or, browse our expert witness directory.