Small Business Owners: Technology Will Help You Stay Healthy in 2023

 

As a small business owner, managing your firm is a priority. But what about staying healthy? Do you work as hard keeping yourself in great physical shape as you do making sure your company stays profitable? If not, 2023 is the year to start. Fortunately, technological advances will make it easier to monitor your health and access medical care when needed. Below are four primary technologies to take advantage of in 2023:

1. Telehealth services will become simpler and more convenient.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic suspended in-office doctor visits. Instead, millions of consumers met with their doctors through online video apps such as Zoom. According to the American Medical Association, 70% of patients booked telehealth appointments in 2020. The usage rate decreased to 25% in 2021. However, as technology evolves, experts believe the growth curve will turn positive in 2023. Also, look for tech firms and healthcare providers to jointly develop seamless, all-in-one technology for delivering telemedicine services. This means you’ll be able to get appointments faster and receive comparable care in the comfort of your home — saving time and gas.

2. Wearable healthcare devices will identify health concerns sooner, allowing prompt and more effective treatment.

Over the last few years, small business owners have embraced wearable healthcare devices. It allows them to achieve better exercise results and identify health issues sooner than their next doctor’s visit. Not surprisingly, the wearable healthcare technology market has grown by more than 300% over the last four years. Plus, according to a report from Insider Intelligence, the number of smart wearable devices will likely increase by 25.5% in 2023, up from 23.3% the prior year.

Smart watches, like Apple’s Series 8 model, come packed with advanced technology to track users’ vital signs. For example, it can generate alerts when someone experiences atrial fibrillation, dangerous arrhythmias or an accident.

In addition to smartphones, you can purchase wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood-pressure monitors, as well as biosensors that document movements, heart rate, respirations and body temperature. The point is that wearing medical devices is an easy way to track what’s happening with your body and alert your doctor to symptoms of a deeper problem.

3. Advances in healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) will help your doctors take better care of you.

Healthcare technology firms are developing sophisticated new ways for doctors to monitor their patients’ health using dedicated remote hardware, smartphone solutions and contactless systems. The technology will help doctors provide more timely interventions to nip severe conditions in the bud. For example, AI is playing a significant role in improving diabetes care. One tech firm is leveraging AI to pinpoint retinal changes that accompany common diabetic eye ailments. Another developed a device that diagnoses the disease by analyzing changes in fingernail biomarkers.

Healthcare providers are also using AI to enhance medical documentation, allowing them to spend more time with patients while also helping them make more accurate diagnoses. If you develop a serious condition, such as heart disease or cancer, know that thanks to technology, your medical team will be better equipped to take care of you than ever before.

4. Healthcare providers will make it easier for you to access care and become better engaged in your health.

Healthcare organizations are getting serious about user experience. They want to make it easier for you to find a doctor, book an office visit and take charge of your health. For example, rather than calling your doctor’s office to make an appointment, providers now offer online platforms where you can see open times and book via self-service. They also encourage patients with chronic illnesses to use apps to store personal data and to participate in online disease-management communities. Rather than recommend expensive medications, more doctors start by prescribing diet and lifestyle changes enabled via smartphone apps.

The bottom line for small business owners? You can’t afford to get sick or neglect your long-term wellbeing. But if you do, rely on your local tech-enabled healthcare system to restore you to good health as soon as possible. The earlier you seek care, the faster you’ll return to peak performance for work and play.