COVID-19’s Contribution to Technological Diversity in Healthcare

JENNIFER JOHN BRITTO – Prior to the pandemic, doctors’ visits indicated what the phrase implies: in-person visits to the hospital or clinic. However, just as COVID-19 has changed many aspects of our lives, it has also altered healthcare practices. Hospitals were understaffed and could not afford to let doctors become exposed to the virus and be unable to treat the large influx of patients. It was a Catch-22 of sorts; doctors were in exceedingly high demand because of the large numbers of sick people, but could not closely interact with said patients due to that same high demand. To add to the issue, patients— especially the immunocompromised— began to see hospitals as a risk-filled location rather than a safe place to recuperate. Healthcare professionals were stuck at an impasse and unsure how to proceed in such a situation, but one solution that many started to accept was virtual treatment.  Meeting and caring for patients digitally removed the danger of transmitting disease from patient to patient through crowded waiting rooms, and also allowed doctors to be less at risk. 

The use of AI in the health industry was and continues to be yet another potential technological solution during the pandemic; robots have started to accompany physicians and nurses at the first line of defense against the disease. Many medical providers use AI bots to chat with patients online. This not only prevents physical risk but also provides support to patients who are afraid to go in-person; after all, it is not possible to contract the disease from a chatbot. One example is the CDC’s Clara, an AI bot who helps patients with assessing their risk of contracting coronavirus. Another incorporation of technology with the goal of reducing doctor-patient contact and preserving limited PPE is the introduction of robots in healthcare settings. For patients in isolation, nurses and physicians are now able to interact with the patient through a robot that depicts the doctor’s face on the screen. That allows patients some more comfort, as it lets them feel more like they are interacting with a live person. In fact, some patients go as far as to say that they prefer being seen digitally due to the decreased transportation and time commitments. Robots are also used to check the temperature of patients and visitors before they enter a hospital. The Medical City Heart Hospital in Texas even uses robots to gather supplies for patient rooms— this not only saves time but also allows healthcare workers to prioritize patients by not having to worry about more menial tasks.

While digital care eases some of the stresses caused by the current healthcare crisis, it does have its own unique set of limitations; after all, there is no perfect solution to the issue. First of all, it is important to understand that it is relatively new technology. Most patients still do not feel comfortable around robots, and tend to trust the assessments less than those provided by their physicians. Additionally, technology is not easily adapted by all age groups (especially older patients who still struggle with using it) so it is not really a universally user-friendly option. Doctors are also unable to check vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate using digital care, so it is not a completely effective tool for diagnosing a patient. Digital tools are not meant to be a substitute for physician care; they act more like assistants. Many hospitals plan to continue using digital healthcare after the pandemic, as it has proven to save time and protect patients and staff from getting sick. 

Copy Editor: Alina Baiju

Photography Source: Bianca Patel