Unleashing The Power Of Care In The Digital Age

CONTEMPLATE:

Employees struggle to prioritize their health because of the working, caregiver, and life demands of this fast-paced world. So, digital solutions provide a convenient, empowering, and readily accessible solution to deal with wellness proactively.

To that end, 77% of internet searches comprise patients trying to understand their symptoms or find appropriate treatment facilities and doctors. 9 out of 10 smartwatch users use them for health and fitness reasons, and in 2022, the number of wearable medical devices was at least 1 billion.

So you see, the harmonious convergence of digital technologies, like artificial intelligence, mobile applications, wearables, and healthcare, is necessary to accommodate the needs of today's modern lifestyle, where personalization, efficiency, and convenience are key.

The digital health symphony is important because it empowers every individual to take charge of their health while ensuring providers deliver high-quality care timely. For instance, employees can monitor their sleeping patterns and nutritional habits with wearables and mobile applications.

This data is important in cultivating practices that help employees get enough rest and eat the right foods to boost energy, motivation, innovation, and productivity at work. Ultimately, this reduces sick leaves and absenteeism in the workplace too.

AS EMPLOYERS,

Embracing this symphony can foster an environment where employees access imperative healthcare resources more efficiently and cost-effectively. Telemedicine, for instance, reduces healthcare expenses by reducing in-person consultations, unnecessary tests, and emergency room visits, all factors that add to healthcare premium costs.

Telemedicine is also excellent for unlocking productivity overture because it enables employees to access medical consultations from the comfort of their homes, reducing unnecessary absences and streamlining healthcare access. And you achieve these benefits without compromising on exceptional care.

And maybe the most exciting trend in the digitization of healthcare solutions is the willingness of insurance companies to provide discounts if insured parties agree to wear devices like fitness trackers to monitor their health. Some insurers offer up to 20% discounts per wearable device.

A company like Blue Cross Blue Shield has partnered with Fitbit in its Blue365 health and wellness initiative program. Policyholders get 22% off a Fitbit device and free shipping. For employers, Blue365 offers Fitbit devices in bulk for group insurance policies at a subsidized price.

Others include perks like free devices to help monitor and promote heart health and other issues like diabetes. For example, Aetna has the Attain by Aetna program that rewards its members with points for using their smartphone app. The rewards can be exchanged for devices like Apple watches or gift cards.

The Attain app monitors an individual's calorie targets during walking, swimming, or yoga. When set targets are achieved, the individual gets the points. The app can also enhance health and wellness by notifying users of essential issues like doctor's appointments or prescription filling dates.



NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO KEEP TOP OF MIND

1. TELEMEDICINE, IOT, AND WEARABLES

We've already brushed up on the benefits of telemedicine for employees and employers. The accessibility of medical services through devices like video chats, mobile applications, and messengers makes healthcare convenient for workers. This, in turn, makes work more productive and effective.

On the other hand, telemedicine also reduces the burden of legacy healthcare systems by simplifying work for practitioners. For example, practitioners have the proper environment to offer exceptional care without stressful waiting lines.

And healthcare becomes generally effective when devices like drones are added to the mix to make medicine and supply delivery faster, especially in remote or disaster regions.

IoT and wearables also complement telemedicine because they remotely monitor cardiac and chronic diseases, employee stress levels, and remind patients to take medicine.

2. VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY

Virtual and augmented reality is becoming a staple in employee training. These immersive technologies transport individuals into a world where learning becomes an adventure and reality is a stage for extraordinary learning experiences.

Think about it; virtual reality captivates employees with its ability to create lifelike simulations and transport them to far-flung realms. So, no matter how complex the subject, virtual reality allows the learner to navigate easily because there is no real-world risk, and mistakes can be made without fear of consequences.

Augmented reality then enhances this digital workspace with captivating visuals, interactive elements, and real-time instructions, making the learning process more engaging. This is a surefire way to build health and wellness skills in your organization and build a workplace that is confident of its health protocols.

Training your employees on workplace safety, emergency response, and occupational hazards becomes a walk in the park. Health and wellness promotion is also made easy by providing VR and AR training on matters that pertain to mental health, nutritional wellness, and stress management.

And when your employees are having a hard time understanding their company's healthcare benefits or how to navigate the requirements, make it simple with VR and AR.

Do you know that VR games can be an effective painkiller and just as effective as drugs? Something to consider for your office breakroom.



3. BIG DATA ANALYTICS

Data is crucial for healthcare because it monitors trends in health concerns, track disease symptoms, and provides insights on the right mitigation strategies for these issues. In an organization, big data analytics gives employers the right insights for optimizing and personalizing employee healthcare benefits.

For instance, data tells employers the personalized needs of employees through employee behavior, patterns, and satisfaction levels. Behavioral insights for wellness programs are significant for organizations that desire evidence-based wellness programs for healthier outcomes.

Organizations can use this information to choose employee benefits or tweak their wellness programs to meet immediate employee needs. A data-driven decision-making process creates the right environment for employee engagement, efficiency, and productivity.

Note: If you provide wearables as part of your organizational wellness program and use them to collect data, ensure you comply with data collection regulations and policies.



UNLOCKING A HEALTHY FUTURE

So, in summary, the medical ecosystem is now intertwined with the new concept of digital health, where digital healthcare solutions are reshaping the whole healthcare industry.

Employers must recognize that understanding the importance of the rise in digital healthcare solutions is like having a secret key that unlocks a treasure trove of employee well-being, productivity, and cost savings.

Embracing digital healthcare solutions is vital for orchestrating a thriving workforce. Employers wise to this rise become the conductors of a symphony that resonates with their employees' needs and the organization's goals.

That said, if you need help navigating your insurance coverage options, let us know.