Empowering Choices: How An ADRT Gives You Control Over Your Medical Treatment Imagine a scenario where you’re unable to communicate your medical treatment preferences due to unforeseen circumstances. It’s a difficult thought, but having an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) in place can empower you to maintain control over your healthcare choices even when…
In the rapidly evolving domain of healthcare, the concept of Patient Empowerment has emerged as a transformative force that places patients squarely at the centre of healthcare delivery. Intertwining principles of engagement, involvement, autonomy and responsibility, Patient Empowerment is all about equipping patients with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and self-awareness to effectively manage their health and navigate the healthcare system.
Broadly speaking, Patient Empowerment implies that patients have a sense of control over their health and healthcare. They are in charge of making choices that affect their health status, they have a voice in decision-making processes, and they are partner-like rather than passive recipients in the healthcare process. The transformative potential of Patient Empowerment is immense, altering not only the dynamic of doctor-patient relationships but also reshaping the broader healthcare landscape.
This empowerment revolution is underpinned by an array of technological advances, and amongst them, bespoke software and app development are playing a pivotal role. Customised health solutions – whether they are web platforms, mobile apps or software programs – enable information dissemination, remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and a host of other functionalities that facilitate patient-centred care. Unlike off-the-shelf products, bespoke solutions are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of individual clients, offering superior fit, flexibility, and long-term value.
The Patient Empowerment trend aligns with broader changes in consumer behaviour and expectations, driven by digitisation and the pervasiveness of smartphones. According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans own a smartphone, and 37% primarily go online using their smartphone. The healthcare sector is not immune to this shift, with many healthcare startups focusing on developing mobile and web-based applications that empower patients.
The journey towards patient empowerment, while promising, is still fraught with challenges. Issues pertaining to data privacy and security, health literacy, disparities in access to technology, and the potential for information overload, all pose significant barriers. However, the relentless march of technology and the mounting demand for patient-centred care are likely to smooth out these roadblocks, leading us towards an era where the empowered patient is the norm rather than the exception.
To learn more about Patient Empowerment and how technology is enabling it, I would invite you to browse the Patient Empowerment section of our blog. You may also explore the main blog which covers a wide range of topics reflecting our deep knowledge and understanding of the bespoke software / app / web development market. If you would like to discuss anything further, please feel free to contact us at MyADRT.
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