Technology and health are one in the same

Technology and health are one in the same.

Virtual Medicine is the intersection of innovation, technology, and human beings.

Technology takes many forms in our society. The unique skill of human beings can
create systems and machines outside of themselves that are able to:

1 - Improve lives.

2 - Simplify and automate standard processes.

3 - Increase the standard and quality of living for all.

When looking at healthcare, it is clear that technology and healthcare have these three core
characteristics in common.

Therefore, using emerging technology in the delivery of quality health care is essentially, a
natural fit and a no brainer.

Technology is all around us. It's power and reach cannot be denied. We are living in the era of
digital communication and information. A digital transformation in the health care industry is
imperative and long overdue.

Throughout centuries, physicians have been employing the use of various technologies in their
practices: tools, scanning and x-ray machinery, software systems to maintain patient records,
etc. Yet, none have served the purpose of replacing the physical face-to-face, in-person meeting
that constitutes the traditional "doctor's appointment".

If a "doctor's appointment" is such a crucial part of our lives, then why do we persist in the
traditional model of the doctor appointment, rather than in a modern model to match the lifestyle
of the present time?

Possibly due to fear and reservations over the efficacy of medicine "over the internet". But if
medical technology has been developed and employed in the practice for centuries,
transforming the practice of medicine (at least in some parts) to a more modern form with the
use of the internet, should be an effortless switch.

The numbers don't lie:

•  In 2014 roughly 75 million people sought medical assistance over the internet with an e-visit
•  76% of these visits were with the primary care physician of the patient

What does this all mean? This demonstrates that there is a definite need and demand for health
care over the internet.

The numbers also imply that employing tele-health systems between existing patients and
physicians could be the necessary precursor to breaking down the current climate of distrust
around medicine over the internet.

Connecting patients to their existing healthcare providers - efficiently and effectively with the use
of the internet - is the straw that will break the camel's back in creating a standard of providing
health care over the internet.

We are presently living in the digital era where liberal use of technology is no longer the
exception, it is unquestionably the rule. Technology is used to improve the standard of living of
millions of people around the world.

Health care is simply one, though undeniably crucial, part of this standard.