Technology is Changing Healthcare

Technology is changing rapidly, shifting how we live our daily lives. Technological advancements have improved how people exercise, sleep, eat, and even how they receive medical attention. Medical advancements have allowed people to live longer, healthier lives. This is a progressive time to be at the forefront of medical technology.

Nadine Louis is the director of client success at Health Catalyst. She moderated a conversation at the Women of Color 2022 conference about how new technology is helping people receive top-notch medical care. With over 20 years in healthcare, Louis is very familiar with the technological advancements that are improving the medical world for patients from every walk of life.

“Technology has changed the way we think about the healthcare industry, and due to this change, the future of healthcare is right in front of our eyes,” Louis said.

Suneela Joshi, director and chief engineer of digital health at Abbott, and Trudy Sullivan, chief

Nadine Louis, Director of client success Health Catalyst

Suneela Joshi, Director and chief engineer of digital health Abbott

Trudy Sullivan, Chief communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion officer Health Catalyst communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Health Catalyst, joined the conversation. Joshi talked about how keeping a healthy work-life balance is extremely important to success. She also emphasized how important it is to take care of yourself and your health first. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, Joshi ensures she gets plenty of exercise every day and cooks healthy meals for herself and her family.

“If there is one message I want to give to women out there is that career and family are extremely important, but please do not neglect yourself,” Joshi said. Joshi said that in the 1990s, people gravitated toward technology and computers, but that is not the case anymore. Technology finds people now, from online shopping to social media. All of this led to digital health. But what is digital health? Joshi defines it as using communications technologies in health professions to manage illnesses and health risks and promote wellness. of telehealth, the world has not returned to pre-COVID practices. Older people unfamiliar with computers now have access to health care apps on their phones.

Sullivan spoke on the importance of equity, which is the attainment of the highest level of health for all people. She said hospitals and other healthcare providers are employing different strategies to improve health equity.

“Unfortunately, we know in today’s environment that not every patient has the same access to quality care,” Sullivan said. “If we have the ability to use data and analytics to drive the disparities out of care and transform care for every patient on the planet, we have much more ability to leverage and use the incredible technologies and solutions for everyone.”

Sullivan said Health Catalyst is using data and analytics to drive change in the disparities some groups face in health care. During the pandemic, these disparities were apparent as people of color—specifically Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans—dealt with the impact of COVID more than other racial groups. Augmented intelligence is being used to identify and eliminate health care disparities.

“That translates into an ability to invest resources in areas that need focus and to see outcome improvement clinically, financially, and operationally,” Sullivan said. It is easy to see how technology is improving health care for people of all genders, races, and ages. These changes are shifting the medical world into a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients. 

“These technologies span a wide range of uses from general wellness applications to medical devices,” Joshi said. “They can empower patients to make better, more informed decisions about their health and provide new options to clinicians and patients.”

During the pandemic, people relied on technology to get their needed care. Some turned to telehealth for checkups, psychological care, and much more. Joshi said that since people have discovered the advantages