5 New Digital Health
Technologies that are Forging
a Connected Healthcare Future

Healthcare has been undergoing an ongoing digital transformation for years. With digital health technologies constantly evolving, they are finding new applications in medicine and updating how we deliver care to patients. These innovations have forged a connected healthcare ecosystem that offers more personalized care for patients, enabling them to get the right treatment at the right time.

1. Generative AI in Healthcare: Enhancing Decision-Making

AI is now making a paradigm shift in healthcare with the introduction of large language model-based applications like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. These generative AI tools can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns beyond human capabilities, and streamline many administrative tasks. They can also help in clinical decision-making, diagnostics, and even drug discovery ⁽²⁾.

For example, AI powered digital health solutions like IBM’s Watson for Oncology (WFO) can aid oncologists in diagnosing and treating cancer by analyzing medical literature and patient data ⁽³⁾. In radiology, AI algorithms can swiftly identify patterns and anomalies in medical images. This can greatly reduce human errors by radiologists and enhance the accuracy of diagnosis ⁽⁴⁾.

2. Wearable Devices: Personalizing Patient Monitoring

Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are another popular digital health technology used by patients. Worn on the body, most of these devices work with mobile apps. They can track and monitor various health metrics, including blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, physical activity, and sleep patterns. They enable patients to share their health data with healthcare providers in real time without in-person visits, allowing early detection of medical emergencies ⁽⁵⁾.

Companies like Fitbit and Apple are pioneers in wearable health technologies. According to a recent study, the Fitbit family of smartwatches is about 80% accurate in identifying people at high risk of depression ⁽⁶⁾. Another study found that Fitbit could accurately estimate rapid eye movement during sleep ⁽⁷⁾. On the other hand, the Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) feature was reported to detect atrial fibrillation with 99% accuracy ⁽⁸⁾.

3. Telemedicine: Expanding Access to Care

Telemedicine allows real-time patient-provider interactions. Although it isn’t a new technology in healthcare, its scope has expanded greatly in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market size of global telemedicine is valued at $172.44 billion in 2024 ⁽⁹⁾. This amount reflects its significant impact on patient care.

Telemedicine solutions can make healthcare more accessible for both patients and providers. They allow for remote clinical and non-clinical services without having to visit a medical or health setting in person. Patients can have timely medical consultations, while their doctors can diagnose, treat, and monitor them remotely. However, one downside of telemedicine is that it can’t fully replace in-person doctor visits.

4. IoT in Medicine: Connecting Healthcare Devices and Systems

IoT is one of the rapidly growing fields of digital health, with an expected CAGR of 21.2% from 2024 to 2030. Grand View Research estimates an investment of around $534.3 billion in this sector by 2025 ⁽¹⁰⁾. In healthcare, this technology is often called the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).

IoMT encompasses a wide network of connected health devices, applications, and systems that allow real-time data sharing over the internet. This includes everything from wearable devices and health monitors to sophisticated healthcare management systems embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies. IoMT enables healthcare professionals to provide more personalized care to patients by remotely monitoring and managing their health with real-time data insights ⁽¹¹⁾.

5. Blockchain in Healthcare: Securing Health Data

Blockchain technology, although often associated with the cryptocurrency, has the potential to make health information exchanges (HIE) more secure and transparent. This technology offers a new model for HIE that could reduce the need for current intermediaries and unlock the true power of interoperability.

By using decentralized digital ledgers, blockchain-based systems could help avoid the risk of data breaches and unauthorized alterations. In the long term, a blockchain network for electronic health records (EHR) could ensure that health data remain secure and confidential. However, the use of this technology in healthcare is still in the early stages and needs more testing and refinement ⁽¹²⁾.

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