Technology and Health Care

What role does technology play in health care?

According to a recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute 90% of U.S. health care leaders and 84% of global health care leaders expect IT to play a "key factor" in health care system changes in the coming decade. Health information systems, technologies and tools will be developed and implemented to provide patients with more control over their own health care.

Recent studies have found that consumers increasingly look to the Internet for health information. In addition to sites such as WebMD, consumers are turning to user-generated content, such as physician and hospital rankings, blogs and chat groups.  Online communication with health care providers can help physicians make diagnostic and treatment decisions. Online tools also offer a low-cost way for individuals to seek health advice.

Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) National Broadband Plan could help promote telehealth technologies that allow health care providers to remotely monitor and consult with patients. 

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.

Technologies used in telehealth typically are videoconferencing, the Internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications. While new applications are increasingly found for using these technologies, significant barriers remain to making these technologies an integral part of daily health care practice.

According to the FCC Digital Healthcare Director, Mohit Kaushal, that to realize cost savings and health benefits, telehealth technology needs to be paired with:

• Expansion of broadband connectivity;
• Technological literacy and patient safety; and
• Regulatory reform. 

According to Kaushal, the National Broadband Plan estimates that about 93 million U.S. residents and about 3,600 small physician's offices do not have broadband access. To facilitate widespread adoption of telemedicine, it is critical for health providers, technology vendors and consumers to work together to develop a cohesive strategy to determine the best use of the current technologies available.

For over a decade, we have been investing in innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of technology, including broadband, in underserved communities. We have documented expertise in overcoming barriers to technology adoption in these communities. Our technology strategy addresses barriers to technology adoption that go beyond affordability and network access. Read our Comments to the FCC National Broadband Plan.

Visit our Broadband Initiative section to learn more about our work.