I have been able to follow the development of digitalization since the early 1980s. At that time, a computer named Vic 20 was released. With this, I got to know the Basic programming language. Since then, I have been familiar with various techniques and innovations in the field. In my working life, I have been able to use various information systems and applications throughout my work history.
I have worked in health care since 1998. In the beginning, recording was done on paper and the information was conveyed orally through reports. Patients were monitored at the bedside and things were recorded by hand in tables. Little by little, things changed and more information technology started to come along. The patient’s information began to be recorded in various patient information systems.
As technology developed, patient monitoring became more device-oriented and the monitored parameters were transferred directly to the patient information system. However, so that a person still needs to look at that data and, for example, removing errors from the data is still done by a person.
Sometimes, even today and especially in the future, patient follow-up already starts at home. Various smart devices, such as motion-detecting cameras, sensors in beds and floors, provide real-time information about the patient’s behavior and movement. Vital signs can also be monitored with various smart clothes and sensors. These can be used to monitor, for example, a situation where the patient gets out of bed and falls on the floor. In this case, after the set time limit has passed, the system alerts the target for help because the patient is not moving or an abnormality is detected in his vital functions.
In healthcare, the number of different remote services will increase in an unprecedented way in the future. The lack of human resources and long distances force different administrative branches to develop such services. The big question here is how to get all citizens to stay involved in the development of digitalization. Is it possible that patient safety is jeopardized or that some of those who need treatment do not seek healthcare through these services and illnesses get complicated.
Of course, data is collected in many other ways. So-called big data can be obtained from almost anything, if so desired. A lot of people’s behavior, for example when it comes to buying, is collected. Let’s take, for example, a look through Google searches, you can get really extensive data about many different things, and with this you can control even large markets and, on the other hand, also control the purchasing behavior of certain groups of people, etc.
Digitization creates opportunities for both private individuals and companies to live and work. However, not everyone is aware of the risks involved in sharing and storing data. Well-planned publications, protecting data when it is necessary, different means and possibilities of influence should be carefully considered when acting publicly on information networks.
Years ago, GDPR came at a fairly fast pace and quite a large number of companies are still struggling with these issues. Information security and people influencing the data collected about themselves is a very good thing.
On the other hand, when I go to hold lectures or various courses and collect participant lists, these things should also be taken into account. The strange thing here, however, is that it is forbidden to circulate name lists in a class where there are familiar people from the same work community. However, everyone knows each other and they do see who is on the course.
Such guiding laws and regulations should be so simple and clear that companies, for example, do not have to apply them “at some level”. Even now, with the help of this law, a market was created for providers of various information security training courses.
I look forward to the development of digitalization, the expansion of artificial intelligence and the strong emergence of various remote services with great interest. For my part, I get to participate in this development. With training, patient data management, different equipment technologies, etc., I need updated and researched information about many different things in my work at the hospital and on the other hand in my business activities.
It is also interesting to see what will happen with the constantly developing and expanding collection of different types of data on the activities of people and machines. When will the moment come when artificial intelligence overrides human will in a system where it can be harmful in other ways than just for an individual company.
In itself, this area did not bring anything completely new, but it is interesting to think about the future in relation to these issues. Likewise, reflecting and thinking about one’s own work history in relation to the development of digitalization is very eye-opening. A lot has happened since 1990, when I entered working life alongside my studies.
My comments on these two articles
Excellent points from a person who has seen the development of digilatization in healthcare from the earlier years. Reports given orally and/or written to paper to todays practices, using patient information systems.
With these patient information systems, i could say that integrity of recorded patient data is in better condition compared to old practices. So in that perspective we can say that digitalization is a way to improve patient data integrity.
New innovations for patient monitoring in a time which you described is a way to help our society to endure what is coming in the next, lets say 10 years. When a large portion of our societys population is going to need healthcare. Long distances to healthcare units combined to healthcare workers shortage is going to push these innovations forward. That is my opinion. Is it a good thing or will it jeopardize patient safety, in a way you have described? If the healthcare innovators, healthcare administration and digital security work seamesly together, i would say that it’s possible that todays innovations can help healthcare in ways that we cannot yet understand.