What is health technology?
The World Health Organization defines health technology as “the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life”. In other words, health technology is any sort of technology that is used to improve the health of an individual or population.
There are many different types of health technology, ranging from simple medical devices to complex systems. Some common examples include:
Medical devices: These include everything from simple devices like bandages and blood pressure cuffs to more complex ones like pacemakers and artificial joints.
Medical equipment: This refers to the machines used in diagnosis and treatment, such as X-ray machines and MRI scanners.
Information and communication technologies: These include everything from basic telephones and fax machines to more complex systems like electronic health records and telemedicine.
Biomedical technology: This encompasses a wide range of technologies used in the development of new medicines and treatments, such as genetic engineering and drug delivery systems.
Medical implants: These are devices that are surgically implanted into the body, such as artificial hips and pacemakers.
prosthetics: These are devices that replace a missing body part, such as an artificial limb.
There are many other types of health technology, but these are some of the most common.
Health technology can be used to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide variety of health conditions. It can also be used to improve the quality of life of people with chronic health conditions.
Some common examples of how health technology is used include:
Screening for diseases: Health technology can be used to screen for diseases and conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. This can help to diagnose and treat these conditions early, when they are more likely to be successful.
Monitoring health: Health technology can be used to monitor a person’s health, such as their blood pressure or blood sugar levels. This information can be used to make sure that a person is staying healthy and to make any necessary changes to their lifestyle or medication.
Treating diseases: Health technology can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and
What are the benefits of health technology?
Health technology is the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life.
The benefits of health technology are numerous. It can help to diagnose and treat health conditions, prevent the spread of disease, improve patient safety and outcomes, and make healthcare more cost-effective.
Health technology can be used to improve the quality of care by making it more patient-centered and efficient. It can also help to engage patients in their own health and healthcare decisions.
Health technology can be used to support the delivery of care in a variety of settings, including primary care, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. In addition, health technology can be used to support public health initiatives, such as disease surveillance and outbreak response.
The use of health technology can also have a positive impact on the environment. For example, the use of telehealth can help to reduce the need for travel, which can save time and money, and reduce carbon emissions.
Health technology is an important tool that can be used to improve the quality of healthcare and the health of the population.
What are the risks of health technology?
Technological advances have brought many benefits to healthcare, including improved diagnoses, treatments and patient care. However, health technology also poses a number of risks, which need to be managed to protect patients, staff and the public.
One of the biggest risks is data security. Healthcare data is some of the most sensitive data there is, and if it falls into the wrong hands it could be used to exploit patients or commit fraud. Data breaches can occur when data is stolen or hacked, or when it is simply lost or leaked. Another risk is that of cyber attacks, which can disable systems and put patient safety at risk.
Another risk is that of medical errors. Although health technology can help to reduce errors, they can also be introduced through poorly designed systems or user error. For example, if a computer system is not designed properly, it may give incorrect information to clinicians, which could lead to a patient receiving the wrong treatment.
There is also a risk that health technology will not work as intended. This could be due to a number of factors, including design flaws, user error, or problems with the underlying technology. For example, an electronic health record system may not work properly if it is not compatible with other systems that it needs to interact with.
Finally, there is a risk that health technology will be misused. For example, it may be used to carry out fraud or abuse patients. It is important that systems are designed to minimise the risk of misuse, and that staff are properly trained in how to use them.
How can health technology be used effectively?
Health technology can be used effectively in a number of ways. One way is to use it to support and improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients. This can be done through the use of electronic health records, which can help to ensure that information is shared more effectively between different members of the healthcare team.
Another way in which health technology can be used effectively is by using it to support the delivery of care. This can be done through the use of clinical decision support systems, which can help to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
Finally, health technology can also be used to support research. This can be done through the use of data mining and data analysis tools, which can help to identify new trends and patterns in healthcare.
What is the future of health technology?
The future of health technology is shrouded in potential but fraught with uncertainty. But despite the challenges, game-changing innovations are already beginning to emerge in the health tech landscape – and they hold the promise of transforming how we detect, manage and even prevent health conditions.
In the coming years, we can expect to see continued advances in wearable technology, artificial intelligence (AI), genomics and digital health tools. These innovations will help us to better understand and manage our health, and enable earlier detection and more personalized treatment of diseases.
Wearable technology will become more sophisticated and integrated into our everyday lives. We will see an increase in the use of biometric sensors, which can track everything from our heart rate and sleep patterns to our stress levels and calorie intake. This information will be used to generate real-time feedback and customized health recommendations.
AI will also play a big role in the future of health technology. Machine learning algorithms will be used to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns and correlations, and provide insights that would be impossible for humans to discern. This will enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of diseases, as well as more personalized and effective treatments.
Genomics will also become increasingly important in the field of health technology. By understanding an individual’s unique genetic makeup, we can tailor treatments and prevention strategies that are much more effective than the one-size-fits-all approach that is currently used.
Digital health tools will continue to evolve and become more widely adopted. We will see a proliferation of apps and devices that help us to track our health, make better lifestyle choices, and stay connected to our care providers. These tools will empower us to take a more active role in our own health and wellbeing.
The future of health technology is immensely exciting. These advances will allow us to live longer, healthier lives and improve the quality of life for billions of people around the world.
Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading international public health agency. WHO health technology refers to the application of scientific and technical knowledge to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury, and to the promotion of health.
WHO health technology includes:
1. Medical devices
2. In vitro diagnostics
3. Digital health
4. Traditional medicine
5. Health-related apps
1. Medical devices
Medical devices are products or equipment that are used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease or injury. They include, but are not limited to, items such as pacemakers, artificial joints, and MRI machines.
2. In vitro diagnostics
In vitro diagnostics are tests that are performed on samples of blood, tissue, or other body fluids. They are used to diagnose or monitor a wide variety of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
3. Digital health
Digital health is the use of technology to improve the delivery of healthcare. It includes, but is not limited to, telemedicine, e-prescribing, and health information exchange.
4. Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine is the medical knowledge, skills, and practices that are passed down from generation to generation. It includes, but is not limited to, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage.
5. Health-related apps
Health-related apps are mobile applications that are designed to improve or maintain health and well-being. They include, but are not limited to, fitness tracking, diet tracking, and meditation apps.
Assessment Process
The assessment process of who health technology – full review is a comprehensive and detailed process that is used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of health technologies. This process is used by WHO to make sure that only the most effective and safe health technologies are available to the public.
The first step in the assessment process is to gather all of the available evidence on the health technology. This evidence is then reviewed by a team of experts to determine if the health technology is effective and safe. If the health technology is found to be effective and safe, it is then approved for use by WHO.
Criteria for Inclusion
1. The Technology must be widely available in the market.
2. The Technology must have a well-established safety profile and a good track record of safety and efficacy in clinical trials.
3. The Technology must be backed by strong scientific evidence from clinical trials or other scientific studies.
4. The Technology must offer a significant improvement over existing treatments or therapies.
5. The Technology must be cost-effective.
Health Technologies Reviewed in 2016
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health technology as “the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life.” In other words, health technology refers to the tools and methods used to improve and maintain our health.
There were many different health technologies reviewed by the WHO in 2016. These included:
1. Wearable devices: These are devices that can be worn on the body, such as fitness trackers and heart rate monitors.
2. Mobile health apps: These are apps that can be downloaded onto a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as tracking fitness or managing chronic conditions.
3. Electronic health records: These are digital records of a person’s health history. They can be used to track medical appointments, medications and test results.
4. Telehealth: This is the use of technology to provide health care at a distance. It can be used to connect patients with doctors or to provide remote monitoring of patients.
5. 3D printing: This is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file. It can be used to create prosthetic body parts or to print medications.
6. Robotics: This is the use of robots in health care. Robots can be used for a variety of purposes, such as assisting in surgery or providing rehabilitation.
7. Virtual reality: This is the use of computer-generated images to create a simulated environment. It can be used for training or to provide exposure therapy for conditions such as phobias.
8. Artificial intelligence: This is the use of computers to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning and decision-making.
9. Big data: This refers to the large amounts of data that can be collected and analyzed using computer technology. It can be used to improve our understanding of health and disease.
10. Gene editing: This is a process of making changes to the DNA of a living organism. It can be used to treat genetic diseases or to modify crops.
Recommendations for Future Reviews
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme provides guidance on how to assess the medical, social, ethical and economic implications of health technologies. The aim of this blog is to provide recommendations for future reviews conducted by the WHO HTA programme.
The first recommendation is to ensure that all reviews are conducted in a transparent manner. This includes making the methods and results of the review available to the public. Additionally, the review team should be open to input from all stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, and industry representatives.
The second recommendation is to use a systematic approach when conducting reviews. This will help to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and that the review is as comprehensive as possible.
The third recommendation is to consider the costs and benefits of health technologies when making recommendations. This includes both the direct costs (e.g. the cost of the technology itself) and indirect costs (e.g. the cost of training healthcare staff to use the technology).
The fourth recommendation is to use evidence-based criteria when making recommendations. This means that the review team should consider the best available evidence when making decisions about whether or not to recommend a particular health technology.
The fifth and final recommendation is to consider the ethical implications of health technologies when making recommendations. This includes taking into account the potential benefits and harms of the technology, as well as the values of those who will be affected by the technology.
By following these recommendations, the WHO HTA programme can ensure that its reviews are of the highest quality and that they provide valuable guidance to decision-makers around the world.
