How technology is democratising healthcare

We are currently immersed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a period of fast technological innovation that is transforming the way we live, work and receive essential services like healthcare. In our era, harnessing the power of technology is the most efficient method to reach the aim of providing people with the healthcare they require. The problem of so many people being unable to afford basic healthcare – a basic human right – is progressively being mitigated by the emergence of remedies resulting from rapid technological advancement.

India has 7.5 million medical professionals (medicos), according to Niti Ayog. In the last five years, 3 million medicos have entered the workforce. The rising on-slot of pandemic and other lifestyle diseases have made the government emphasise more on medical colleges. Over the following 25 years, this will result in a further rise in the number of medical professionals.

The democratisation of technology in healthcare will, in the future, allow for the globalisation of high-quality care and treatment. Even in developing countries, diagnostic technology has several limitations that need to be addressed. As we progress deeper into the 4th Industrial Revolution, technology is poised to transform the medical field.

The cutting-edge equipment has provided various new, patient-centric opportunities for healthcare organisations, ranging from advanced healthcare medical devices to AI-enabled treatment procedures.

The innovation for doctors

According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), young doctors perform shifts of 24 to 36 hours and 75% of doctors have experienced verbal or physical harassment on hospital grounds. Another IMA study found that 43% of doctors are afraid of violence. This is a serious issue. Many new brands are now doing their part in providing the respect and comfort that doctors deserve.

Over the years, medical apparel has remained unchanged. Medical gear is the apparel worn by doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics. Medical scrubs and lab coat aprons make up the majority of this. There are also surgical gowns, gloves, compression socks, scrub caps, and other items that make up the full outfit. The technology aims to produce medical apparel that is extremely functional, high performing, fashionable and environmentally conscious. Though medical apparel is a vital part of medical treatment and recovery, the status quo for the provision of medical apparel does not serve the purpose greatly. There’s a need for a more convenient, consistent and functional way of treating medical clothing. Currently, medical apparel is purchased from community tailors. This option results in apparel that is inconsistent, non-functional and lacks convenience. As the healthcare system, insurance and medical equipment industry continue to become more technologically advanced and diversified, there is an increasing demand for equipment and clothing that is specifically made for clinical and medical environments.

Why can’t doctors and nurses spend the majority of their time at work wearing apparel backed by science and technology to improve their performance (stretch, ventilation, sweat-free, etc.)? With the growth in disease rates and the long working hours of doctors and nurses, the demand for science and technology-based products has become a priority and requirement.

The new companies are making it easier than ever to find the care doctors need when they need it. Because of this, data-driven consumerism is taking a spot center stage as personalized services and streamlined routines become the gold standard. As more companies utilize a consumer-first approach, everyday people are becoming increasingly enticed by their products’ versatility and convenience factor.

With e-commerce 3.0, they can reach every doctor and nurse in India with a single click of a button and have the products delivered in a matter of days.

The introduction of sustainable technology

The pandemic caused an increase in medical waste in India. Rubber gloves and disposable masks had negative environmental consequences. The developing technology must advance to provide a solution and reduce medical waste. Every activity has an impact on the environment, and every choice has a consequence. The technology has to provide a sustainable approach to tackle the problem of medical waste, causing the earth to die slowly.

Today’s technological breakthroughs make it simple to devise ways that will aid in waste reduction. The goods are now made completely of recycled polyester obtained from PET bottles discarded in the ocean. They have one of the lowest carbon footprints and are made with a traceable manufacturing process that can be certified using the Global Recycling Standard (GRS). Per square metre of cloth, recycled polyester consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse emissions than virgin polyester. Furthermore, the substance is free of dangerous compounds including alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), which are non-ionic surfactants used as detergents in the textile sector. As a result, the four-way stretch technology will allow for easy movement in both transverse and lengthwise directions. Not to add that doctors and nurses work between 18 and 24 hours per day. They do the hardest job in the world, saving lives. They deserve the right apparel which does not create any resistance in their work.

Using the recycled materials will make it wrinkle-free for long-term use and autoclavable in hospitals, allowing facilities to disinfect scrubs before they enter the OT using a harsh laundering method.

Medicine is a practice where the difference between life and death is a paper-thin margin. Products backed with technology are going to help enhance performance. Consider how athletic performance products improved their superior running shoes, which resulted in a shift in people’s lives. Same way, new technology in the medical field, for doctors, can bring a huge change. It will create more mobility, help doctors stay in the same apparel for long hours, it will make them feel good about themselves and help their mental health.

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