Pediatric care covers a range of care specialities for children from birth through to young adulthood, and is a delicate, sometimes overlooked aspect of healthcare. As with all aspects of care right now, in particular, teams are pushed, and patient-doctor connections are becoming increasingly strained. 

This is an issue considering that where children are concerned, feeling at ease is half of the healthcare battle. Uncomfortable or unsupported children are certainly unlikely to open up, meaning that a myriad of underlying issues could slip under the radar.

The good news is that, just as much as technology stands to save healthcare, it’s also fast coming up on the pediatric horizon. These changes are invaluable, providing a springboard from which paediatricians can reconnect with young minds. And, here are a few of the ways that they’re doing it.

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More palatable treatment for children

Children naturally dislike/distrust most medical interventions. Unfortunately, this can be an issue in helping the healing process, and it’s something that technology aims to overcome.

There are a wide range of advancements to make medical interventions more palatable for young patients right now, ranging from the extreme to the surprisingly simple. Perhaps one of the most effective changes of recent years has been the implementation of softgel manufacturer equipment and similar that has made medicine itself easier for kids to swallow. And, that’s just the tip of the IT iceberg.

Other easier treatment options include a so-called ‘smart pill’ that allows medical teams to assess internal conditions without the worry of potentially distressing procedures. Equally, additions like digital tattoos for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring are taking a lot of the pain points from ongoing treatment. 

These are just a few notable changes, and they’re making a huge difference for ensuring children receive the care they need when they need it, without stress to either party. 

Tech to speak their language

It’s also worth noting that a general online switch within paediatrics is another crucial turning point, making care easier for young patients to understand/embrace. After all, this generation knows how to speak code before they can talk in a lot of cases.

As such, taking to social media or simply turning to online-based treatments is a fantastic way to bridge communication gaps. Most notably of late, telemedicine has risen in the ranks, particularly with regards to video appointments, and around 74% of young patients prefer this option to in-practice visits.

Treatment, too, has started to speak languages that kids can understand, with apps like the CHAMP app allowing patients with long-term conditions to monitor their situation in a format that’s increasingly familiar. 

At the very least, a growing pediatric presence online, specifically within social media settings, makes it far more likely that young people will reach out to/research the care available to them. 

As with anything, there’s still a long way to go on the pediatric front, and technology looks set to continue those advancements. But, as you can see from considering these improvements, paediatrics are well on the way to a makeover fit for 2021.