Times have changed. When push comes to shove, technology has become an underestimated frontliner of the healthcare system. Technology has been able to fill most gaps in the current system and adapt to keep the healthcare industry going in these extraordinary times. Here’s 6 ways technology has changed the way healthcare works.
1) The 3D Printing Community
We’ve already reported this, but here’s the short version. Malta’s 3D printing community, led by David Sciberras, owner of Invent3D has set up a 3D Printing Farm with the help of various government departments to fasttrack the mass 3D printing of personal protective equipment (PPE) face guards. This is a huge game changer since the design can be edited as time goes by, guided by feedback from frontliners.
2) Online Statistics Hubs
Ever since the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve been seeing online statistics hubs break down the insane amounts of data into easy-to-understand bits of information. This is essential since it helps keep the general public informed and knowledgeable on the situation.
3) Contact Tracing
Every day when we all sit down to listen to the Superintendent for Public Health Profs. Charmaine Gauci, we hear the term ‘Contact Tracing’. This refers to the process of tracking down every person who came into contact with a positive case of Covid-19, and you guessed it, technology makes this process a lot easier. Most of us do not track our each and every move, and when you’re suddenly asked to trace every step you’ve made over the past few days, a phone’s location history, online calendar, payment history, etc can help you map out all movements.
4) Radiological Image Sharing
In countries where healthcare options are endless, it’s extremely important to not lose track of patient records and details when they change their healthcare provider. National software that enables sharing of radiological images and reports helps healthcare facilities access patient history even if they were scanned at a different provider.
5) Online Consultations
Some healthcare professions have had to stop all non-urgent patient appointments due to the current pandemic. That being said, the system has been quick to adopt online consultations. Both public and private healthcare entities are seeing patients through online methods, such as the recently launched public healthcare initiative Telephysio, where the public can call 111 and enquire, and will be later contacted by a state registered physiotherapist to help with their physiotherapy related issues.
6) Web and Online Development
In the middle of the pandemic, many companies and healthcare workers needed to set up online platforms as fast as possible in order to change the way they deliver services to clients. Without a dedicated community of developers this definitely would not have been possible on such short notice.
- Get a Glimpse into Malta’s Techscape of the Future!
- MITA’s Cyber Breakfast Event Explores Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure & its Challenges in Malta
- Esplora’s Family and Friends bundles are here!
