In this article, François Feig, head of Global General Medicine and Endocrinology, Merck, explores technological advancements in healthcare and how they can be used to improve patients’ lives.
Instruments of change
A 2014 report from the World Health Organisation into eHealth and innovation in women’s and children’s health described the internet, smartphones and wearable devices as ‘instruments of change’ and talked of a ‘quiet revolution’ in healthcare. The report describes how technological advancement, and eHealth specifically, is already helping people to live longer, healthier lives, largely through access to accurate medical information and advice, and better recording of patient data.1