Melissa Petak is a seasoned healthcare executive. As a seasoned healthcare executive, Melissa Petak understands the importance of healthcare professionals adapting their services to take advantage of the latest technological advancements.
Melissa Petak notes the healthcare industry must leverage digital technology to develop innovative solutions that enhance healthcare delivery and address medical issues. The digital transformation of healthcare encompasses the use of the internet, digital technologies, and their relationship with new therapies and best practices for better health management procedures.
The quality control of the vast amount of collected data can help improve patients’ well-being and reduce the cost of services. Digital technologies also impact medical education, and Melissa Petak and other healthcare executives are taking advantage of new ways to train students, patients, and coworkers alike.
Today, Melissa Petak will be discussing four of the most impactful technological advancements in the healthcare industry:
• Connected Health
• IoT and Wearables
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Virtual & Augmented Reality
Melissa Petak on Connected Health
"Connected health" is an umbrella term that encompasses telehealth and mobile health. It refers to the use of various technological modalities to connect clinicians to clinicians, patients to clinicians, and even patients to other patients. Melissa Petak notes that this technology facilitates the exchange of information, enables remote diagnosis and treatment, and supports continuous and intermittent monitoring, as well as ongoing health management. Additionally, it empowers patients to take control of their care by seeking out healthcare from the comfort of their homes. Via connected health methods; it’s easier than ever for people to access the medical professional that is best equipped to address their needs.
Melissa Petak on IoT and Wearables
The term "Internet of Things" (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices, appliances, and vehicles embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity. This allows them to exchange data with each other and other systems through the internet. While smart thermostats and lightbulbs are examples of IoT devices that many people are familiar with, IoT also is having a major impact on the future of the healthcare industry.
Melissa Petak has noted that the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) provides the means to connect various medical devices through communication technologies. Such devices include wearable sensors, mobile health apps, remote patient monitoring systems, medical imaging equipment, and electronic health records. The integration of IoMT in healthcare has led to significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of treatments for people who can now have their health monitored by professionals remotely.
Melissa Petak on Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Melissa Petak notes that leveraging artificial intelligence is helping the healthcare industry grow more efficiently than ever. AI is a game-changer in the healthcare industry, providing unparalleled opportunities to reduce human error, assist medical professionals and staff, and provide patient services around the clock. With the rapid advancement of AI tools, there is now an ability to use AI in reading medical images, X-rays, and scans, diagnosing medical problems, and creation of treatment plans.
Melissa Petak believes as AI applications continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, they will help streamline various tasks, from answering phones to analyzing population health trends. In fact, Melissa Petak can confidently predict that future AI tools will automate or augment even more of the work of clinicians and staff members, freeing up humans to focus on providing effective, empathetic care to their patients.
Melissa Petak on Virtual Reality in Military Healthcare
Virtual reality is having a major impact on the way healthcare professionals are trained. With virtual reality training, the availability of training goes from a few different locations to wherever the trainee calls home. There’s no need to increase the number of trainers as trainees can all take advantage of the same virtual reality programs. With augmented reality training applications in medical readiness training, there’s an opportunity to bring the latest medical education to every corner of the world. Melissa Petak notes that this is particularly exciting for countries that may not have previously had access to education from the top medical professionals in the industry.
Melissa Petak believes the healthcare industry will continue to evolve at a rapid pace, thanks to the speed at which technological innovations are transforming the world around us. Ultimately, all of these technological advancements must be used to give healthcare workers the best resources to treat patients under their care.
