Introduction:

Let’s keep the boring introduction aside and start with the main points.

Problems:

• Approximately 1 in 3 people suffer from multiple chronic diseases in the world
• According to WHO half of the world can not obtain essential healthcare services
• Patients who suffer from chronic diseases do not get proper treatment.
• While there is a ratio of 1:1000 of doctors per person, doctors won’t be able to handle the end number of patients.

Solution:

• Healthcare professionals can attain numerous patients using telemedicine. As a result, patients can get proper treatment.
• To measure regular symptoms, apps like the symptom tracker can be used.
• Going on a special trip to purchase medicines can be avoided by ordering them in the pharmacy app.

In short, barriers between doctors and patients can be removed using technology.

This was the first look at this big problem. However, there is more to discuss. There are more hidden problems and their solutions.

So, let’s get started.

Why is taking care of chronic disease necessary?

Chronic disease is a disease that settles down permanently in the body.

However, taking precautions and necessary treatment are required to control the symptoms of the diseases.

Taking care of chronic illness is a shield against the disease. However, it becomes problematic if the patients avoid regular care.

Let me explain to you through the story of two patients rather than going through the usual points. 

There were two people Lauren and Steve.

The one who is taking regular care and the second who is taking chronic disease lightly.

Both are diagnosed with several conditions

Lauren: I feel sick and tired.

Similarly, Steve feels sick & tired while getting up in the morning.

Both have the same conditions

Lauren: I should take a rest, everything will be fine, it’s not a big deal.

Meanwhile, Steve takes his daily prescription medicine and takes a nap.

After hours ⏰

Lauren feels in the same condition, she sleeps for several hours but is still exhausted.

Meanwhile,

Steve feels so better and energized.

At mid-time, steve visited the doctor for consultations and treatment.

While Lauren has been sick for 5 months. The reason being is she avoids certain care which needs to be taken at the same time.

And the result is she is still not getting better.

On another side, steve took the necessary steps which are required to take care of his health, by visiting hospitals, consulting doctors, and taking proper medicine.

The moral of the story is “Take care of your body as it’s the only place you have to live”

However, diseases like cancer, heart, and diabetes may cause death if proper care is not taken.

What factors affect doctors while treating chronic patients?

Doctors also have to deal with several challenges, While treating patients.

Looking from their side, they face challenges like

#1 Handling the end number of patients:

The ratio of 1:1000 means doctor per person and this is the biggest issue in the healthcare sector.

Treating several patients in less time is not easy as it seems.

If doctors work with full efficiency and productivity then also they fail many times to attain all patients.

For instance, during pandemic situations, due to the increase in the number of patients, hospitals and even small clinics faced issues in managing patients.

However, patients also suffered from the disease till they got proper treatment, which was taking so many days at that time.       

#2 Recruiting medical staff:

As the workload increases, doctors aren’t able to handle everything individually, they need to recruit more medical staff for the managing administration.

This increases the expenses of healthcare professionals and they become victims of running an unprofitable business.

#3 Low access:

Due to the less use of technology, services of healthcare professionals are limited to nearby areas and can’t reach patients living in rural areas.

As a result, patients living in rural areas remain untreated and they need to suffer from an illness that is more painful.

#4 Lack of flexibility:

Healthcare professionals feel a lot of inflexibility in treating the patients.

For instance, an individual patient is feeling sick and becomes unconscious, patients need urgent treatment but a doctor is too far away, patients try to call an ambulance, call on hold, finally an ambulance is booked, an ambulance arrives, and takes patients to hospitals.

This long process may not be able to take the right action at the right time for the patients.

How apps can help in the treatment of chronic diseases?

Apps can be used in making advanced treatment processes of chronic care management which are highly effective in cost reduction and scalable ways that can change the trajectory of chronic disease.

#1 Chronic illness symptoms tracker: 

Monitoring symptoms is necessary for patients especially, for one who is dealing with chronic diseases.

As a result, the symptoms tracker app allows to track real-time vital symptoms of the patients.

#2 Telemedicine:

Telemedicine is a widely used app and one of the most trending apps after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of Medicare patients using telehealth has grown from 11,000 to 650,000 people a week.

It monitors and decodes several health conditions via messaging, video consultation with doctors, and voice calls.

#3 Wellness apps:

Doing a physical exercise or following a proper diet can help to decrease the symptoms of chronic diseases.

However, wellness apps like mental apps, diet tracker apps, and fitness apps can guide patients when needed and assist them to take mandatory steps.

#4 Pharmacy app:

It allows patients to order medicine while seating in their comfort zone.

For instance, a patient is sick and needs medicine but is not able to go to the medical store. As a result, using the pharmacy app patients can order medicine and get it delivered at the right time and the right place.

This is more beneficial for chronic patients who need regular medicine.

Does technology have the ability to solve healthcare issues?

Technology has always taken one step forward to make healthcare more reliable, flexible, and affordable for all.

Technology presents numerous benefits and opportunities for improving the healthcare ecosystem which includes reducing human errors, improving clinical outcomes, and facilitating care co-ordinations.

And this all can be improved using trending healthcare solutions like healthcare apps and healthcare software development.

As per the report, “the global healthcare IT market was valued at $205.15 million in 2021 and is projected to reach 125.1 billion by 2027”

So, the market is promising for the new health tech startups.