PR for People Monthly MARCH 2016 | Page 16

Digital Strategy in health and medicine comes in many forms. Pharmaceutical companies use digital strategies to increase sales and marketing. Big data offer analyses in drug research and development, as well as data sharing and the ability to compare large-scale studies across various environments. Medical devices using sophisticated software are now the norm in hospitals and medical centers and clinics.

On the personal care side, Digital Strategy can be as simple and beneficial as an alert app, reminding people when to test their sugar, take their blood pressure, or to take prescribed medication. This is particularly helpful in cases where pain management or psychotropic medications may affect memory or perception of time.

Even the popular and often lampooned “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” devices have gained from digital opportunity. These devices can now connect via cellular and WiFi, enabling alerts and contacts across many disciplines. Doctors, neighbors, relatives, friends and other emergency contacts can receive alerts. This is a major improvement on the single call recipient of early electronic alert devices.

The adoption of computerized methodologies and data management technologies throughout many areas in healthcare and medicine has brought about a vast array of services and improvements. Any number of advanced treatments, practices, testing methods and the like have enriched the lives, if not saved those lives, with the advent and acceptance of digital strategies. Complex medical research, once beyond imagination, is possible today with just a few keystrokes.

Digitally enabled "beyond the pill" solutions offer not only medications, but also monitoring sensors capable of collecting and then analysis of data on a condition. This data and information is collected and can help in patient care between visits to doctors. This helps both doctor and patient alike. Desired outcomes, constant tracking, and data generated both for the patient and for the larger view for health care providers and pharmaceutical research are the benefits.

Go one step further from keystrokes to devices and the leap in medical devices is yet another breakthrough made possible by adoption of digital services and computing in the era of ubiquitous connectivity. Robotics also plays a key role. Developments in digital and fabrication have paved the path for acceptance by the general public and adoption by health care providers.

Digital Strategy

in Medicine and Health

By Dean Landsman