Hayden Chamber: Technology and health care

“Everything you do to improve your physical well-being will have a positive impact on how good you feel about yourself!” — Brian Tracy

Technology is part of our daily lives. We use a smart device several times a day — if not several times an hour. Smartwatches, fitness trackers and smart speakers, such as an Amazon Echo, along with our smartphones, rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to process large amounts of data and make recommendations based on the results.

AI is also making its mark on health care. From doctor visits to using health benefits, AI is changing the way people receive care and manage their well-being.

Thanks to AI powered algorithms, doctors can examine health outcomes from many people around the world and use that data to improve individual personalized care plans. For example, immunotherapy (a cancer treatment where the immune system is activated to attack cancer cells) may soon be customized based on a person’s unique genetic profile.

From dental procedures to plastic surgery, AI can help doctors make patient specific decisions and detection. Even data collected at home can help your doctor interpret health trends. Weigh-ins, blood sugar screenings or measurements can be shared with a nurse, health coach or doctor. With results uploaded in real time, your provider can quickly adjust your plan of care.

AI is also improving the ability to track well-being numbers, putting you more in control to care for both your mind and body.

Examples include:

Tracking step counts or exercises and interacting with a virtual fitness or health coach.

Recommendations for participating in a wellness challenge.

Monitoring sleep quality or sleep patterns.

Alerts when you are in an environment that is too loud or could damage hearing.

Reminders to stand, breathe, meditate or take a walk if you’ve been sedentary for too long.

Accessing health benefits such as checking the cost of a procedure can be done now with health plan apps that can help you if you aren’t feeling well that will provide a symptom checker to provide direction and help ease the stress of scheduling a doctor’s appointment or using virtual care.

AI health technology uses voice activation technology through devices like smart watches and smart home speakers. Some apps can help people find doctors, order new ID cards, refill or check the status of a prescription and explain health care terms with definitions.

With technology constantly reshaping and improving the quality and access of our health care, just think about where the next 10 to 20 years will take us.

We have many health care providers in the Hayden Chamber that can help provide relief for your mind and body from IV therapy, massages, holistic naturopathic medicine and acupuncture services to estheticians, beauty consultants and wellness advocates. We have hospitals, specialty hospitals and urgent cares to patient-centered medical, dental and behavioral health services. Make sure to check out our online directory on our website for more details.

“The promise of business is to increase the general well-being of humankind through service, a creative invention and ethical philosophy!” — Paul Hawken

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Andrea Fulks is the president/CEO for the Hayden Chamber of Commerce.