Literature Review

Over 40% of Americans have hypertension (CDC, 2021). The hypertension prevalence is high in African Americans than Caucasians (CDC, 2018). Furthermore, Blacks are more likely to develop hypertension at an earlier age, to have more severe hypertension, and to experience greater rates of consequences such as kidney damage, stroke, and kidney failure. Blood pressure regulation is especially uneven among underprivileged populations, notably African Americans. The high prevalence of hypertension among African Americans this population is partly influenced by social determinants of health. As a result, increasing hypertension knowledge and access to health care among the African American population, particularly in underprivileged regions, is crucial. Healthcare personnel, particularly nurses, should be culturally competent. This paper will utilize a literature review on improving hypertensive therapy outcomes among African Americans.

There is a high incidence of hypertension and health-related complications such as stroke among African Americans (Zilbermint et al., 2019). Gene variants, including ACE and AGT, are linked to hypertension in some populations, including Blacks (Zilbermint et al., 2019). Alpha-adducing and beta-2 adrenergic receptors are linked to a higher prevalence of hypertension in this population. Social factors, including diet and stress, contribute to changes in genetic makeup that contribute to high blood pressure. Social determinants of health, including unemployment and poverty are strongly linked to disparities in hypertension prevalence in America. Chronic diseases that are associated with hypertension like obesity are more common in African American adults (Howard et al., 2018). Still, social factors including income, poverty, unemployment, and living environment do not explain the higher prevalence of hypertension risk among African American adults.

Hypertension and associated health complications in African Americans are often undertreated with hypertension medications (Holt et al., 2022). Therefore, they do not receive effective or optimal hypertensive therapy compared to Whites. Some hypertension medication classes, including ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, may be less effective in reducing blood pressure in African Americans than in other populations (Holt et al., 2022). Genetic differences are associated with disparities in response to hypertensive therapy outcomes among African Americans. Holt et al. (2022) added that African Americans are less likely to receive certain hypertension medications, including diuretics and ACE inhibitors, and more likely to receive calcium channel blockers and alpha-blockers. Thus differences in medication prescribing practices are associated with disparities in hypertension prevalence. Holt et al. (2022) found that African Americans who received diuretics and ACE inhibitors had better blood pressure control and medication adherence than those who did not. Those who received calcium channel and alpha blockers had higher rates of hypertension-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations (Holt et al., 2022).

Healthcare professionals must develop and implement strategies for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in hypertensive therapy, including medication prescribing practices. Holt et al. (2022) emphasized that healthcare professionals must consider an individual’s clinical characteristics when selecting hypertension medications rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all method. Odion-Omonhimin et al. (2022) reported a high prevalence of treatment-resilient hypertension among Blacks, including a continuing elevation of blood pressure despite treatment with antihypertensive medications. Thus, it leads to high morbidity and mortality among African Americans with hypertension.

Genetic factors, such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, influence the prevalence of drug-resistant hypertension (Odion-Omonhimin et al., 2022). Still, factors like unhealthy lifestyle choices and obesity can contribute to drug-resistant high blood pressure in this population. Managing drug-resistant high blood pressure in this population is fundamental to achieving and maintaining optimal health outcomes. Thus, clinicians must implement a comprehensive approach that comprises hypertensive therapy, lifestyle modifications, and patient education. Nurses should educate patients, especially those from vulnerable populations, about necessary lifestyle changes, including staying active and adopting a healthy dietary pattern to manage their blood pressure and achieve optimal health outcomes effectively. Furthermore, hypertensive therapy should be personalized according to the patient’s preferences and values. Antihypertensive medications help maintain healthy blood pressure by removing excess water from the body. Furthermore, antihypertensive medications can be combined to ensure optimal blood pressure management.

The research (Boulware et al., 2019) analyzed the effectiveness of self-management strategies, part of hypertensive therapy, and found that the strategy to achieving blood pressure control together program significantly reduced systolic blood pressure. The achieving blood pressure control together program included home blood pressure monitoring, self-titration of medication based on monitoring results and provider-approved algorithms, behavioral coaching to enhance adherence to the program, and individualized support from a pharmacist (Boulware et al., 2019). Boulware et al. (2019) reported that the achieving blood pressure control together program led to hypertensive therapy adherence and improved quality of life among African Americans. The program is an effective strategy for managing blood pressure levels in marginalized African Americans with hypertension. The program’s multifaceted approach comprising self-monitoring, medication titration, behavioral coaching, and pharmacist support, appears to be particularly effective in improving medication adherence and quality of life (Boulware et al., 2019).

Implementing self-management strategies can help African Americans incorporate physical activity into their daily routines by setting achievable goals, tracking progress, and seeking support from friends and family members to reduce hypertension prevalence. Nurses must educate their patients about the significance of maintaining a healthy diet, including low-fat and whole grains, to manage their blood pressure effectively (Boulware et al., 2019). Thus, nurses must help this population make healthy lifestyle choices to manage their blood pressure levels effectively and ensure optimal health outcomes. Stress reduction approaches, including meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help African Americans manage their hypertension and related health complications to reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, self-management strategies help African Americans manage hypertension by addressing risk factors through lifestyle modifications. By promoting regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and stress reduction techniques, self-management strategies can help individuals take control of their health and reduce the risk of developing hypertension or other chronic health conditions.

According to the research (Adinkrah et al., 2020), adherence to hypertension medications and lifestyle modifications was low among marginalized African American middle-aged and older adults. Adinkrah et al. (2020) noted a significant relationship between medication adherence and lifestyle modification adherence. For instance, individuals adherent to hypertensive therapy are more likely to adhere to lifestyle modifications and healthy behaviors. Adinkrah et al. (2020) identified factors affecting adherence to hypertension medications and lifestyle modification among marginalized African American middle-aged and older adults, including socioeconomic status, health literacy, social support, and health beliefs. Therefore, healthcare providers must collaborate with policymakers to address factors affecting adherence to hypertensive therapy and lifestyle modifications among marginalized African Americans.

According to Adinkrah et al. (2020), most underinsured or uninsured African Americans face challenges accessing quality care. Therefore, most may not have regular medical care, including regular medical screening and medication management. Moreover, this population may not access healthcare services, including patient education about the significance of maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and adhering to the recommended therapy. This population may not afford antihypertensive medications or medications for hypertension-related complications due to social determinants of health, including a high prevalence of poverty and unemployment. Most individuals from this population have a history of experiencing discrimination and racism within the healthcare system, leading to mistrust of healthcare providers, a reluctance to seek medical care and poor adherence to the recommended hypertensive therapy (Adinkrah et al., 2020). Some African American cultural practices may conflict with modern medicine or therapy, discouraging adherence to the recommended hypertensive therapy. This population may also lack satisfactory social support and relationships necessary to help them manage their hypertension and adhere to their medication regimen.

Still et al. (2020) reported that technological innovations toward effective hypertension management help educate patients about effective self-management strategies, including education management, healthy lifestyle choices, and self-monitoring. The technology-based also comprised a web-based platform that enabled patients to communicate with healthcare providers and access educational resources. Additionally, community-based programs help create awareness, promote change, and increase knowledge on effective hypertension management. They also inform community-based organizations about available community resources to help improve the health outcomes of marginalized populations. The use of technology in delivering care for this population underscores the potential of technology-based approaches in improving access to healthcare and self-management support for individuals with chronic conditions.

The technology-based self-management program can enable African Americans with hypertension to access online resources, including mobile applications, websites, and social media platforms for disseminating information on hypertension prevention, management, and lifestyle modifications (Still et al., 2020). Clinicians can utilize technological resources to check blood pressure levels and track the advancement toward achieving health goals in African Americans with hypertension. For example, wearable devices, including smartwatches and fitness monitors, help nurses monitor blood pressure and provide real-time responses to patients. They can utilize technological resources to personalize hypertensive treatment by considering the patient’s preferences and values to build a patient-focused care plan.

Sessoms et al. (2015) maintained that healthcare providers must adhere to the national guidelines for managing hypertension in African Americans to reduce disparities in hypertension prevalence. Sessoms et al. (2015) found a connection between healthcare provider adherence to the national hypertension treatment and national guidelines for patient outcomes management. Therefore, clinicians must follow the recommended hypertension treatment and management guidelines for effective and quality healthcare delivery. Thus, nurses must follow hypertension treatment and national management guidelines to deliver evidence-based, quality care for African Americans with hypertension to improve their health outcomes. They can help nurses classify hypertension patients based on their health statuses to identify those at high risk of developing health-related to implement appropriate interventions to prevent morbidity or mortality. They ensure hypertension patients receive appropriate treatment, including proper medication dosages and patient follow-up, such as monitoring potential side effects of antihypertensive medications.

Following hypertension treatment and national management guidelines help clinicians address health disparities associated with social determinants of health. Notably, social determinants of health, including unemployment, poor living conditions, and poverty, increase the risks of developing chronic conditions, such as hypertension, in marginalized groups. Therefore, clinicians must adhere to these guidelines to ensure patients receive appropriate and equitable care regardless of their socioeconomic status or race. Ojji et al. (2019) reported that combining benazepril and amlodipine is safe and tolerable for African Americans. Adherence and tolerance to antihypertensive medications are useful in managing hypertension among this population. Poor adherence to antihypertensive medications increases the risk of developing health-related complications.

ACE inhibitors and ARBs work by preventing angiotensin II production and reducing its action to avoid the narrowing of blood vessels. On the other hand, diuretics help remove excess water and salt from the body to reduce the amounts of fluid passing through arteries and veins. Calcium channel blockers relax the blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them and reducing blood pressure. Ojji et al. (2019) noted that dual therapy effectively controls blood pressure in African Americans with hypertension. For instance, ACEi ramipril and diuretic metoprolol are more effective than either medication alone in blood pressure management in African Americans with chronic kidney disease and hypertension. An ACEi and a diuretic are more efficient or effective in reducing blood pressure in African Americans than combining an ACEi and a CCB (Ojji et al., 2019). Still, dual therapy for hypertension in African Americans should be personalized based on an individual’s medical history, blood pressure level, and other risk factors.

Conclusion

The literature review shows a higher prevalence of hypertension in African Americans than in Whites. Genetic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and social determinants of health contribute to disparities in hypertension prevalence in African Americans. It is often undertreated in African Americans due to disparities in hypertensive therapy practices, leading to poor outcomes. Drug-resistant hypertension incidence is high in this group, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates. Self-management strategies, including lifestyle adjustments and medication adherence, can improve hypertension outcomes among African Americans. Still, access to affordable care is challenging for many African Americans. Therefore, technology-based approaches may be useful in addressing these barriers. Adhering to national guidelines for managing hypertension in African Americans is critical to reducing disparities in hypertension prevalence. Dual therapy regimens, including ACE inhibitors or ARBs plus a diuretic or CCB, can be safe and effective in controlling blood pressure in African Americans. However, treatment should be personalized based on individual characteristics.

References

Adinkrah, E., Bazargan, M., Wisseh, C., & Assari, S. (2020). Adherence to hypertension medications and lifestyle recommendations among underserved African American middle-aged and older adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6538. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186538

Boulware, L. E., Ephraim, P. L., Hill-Briggs, F., Roter, D. L., Bone, L. R., Wolff, J. L., Lewis-Boyer, L., Levine, D. M., Greer, R. C., Crews, D. C., Gudzune, K. A., Albert, M. C., Ramamurthi, H. C., Ameling, J. M., Davenport, C. A., Lee, H.-J., Pendergast, J. F., Wang, N.-Y., Carson, K. A., & Sneed, V. (2019). Hypertension self-management in socially disadvantaged African Americans: The achieving blood pressure control together (ACT) randomized comparative effectiveness trial. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(1), 142–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05396-7

CDC. (2018, October 2). High blood pressure publications – African American men sourcebook | cdc.gov. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/aa_sourcebook.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, September 27). High blood pressure facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

Holt, H. K., Gildengorin, G., Karliner, L., Fontil, V., Pramanik, R., & Potter, M. B. (2022). Differences in hypertension medication prescribing for Black Americans and their association with Hypertension Outcomes. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 35(1), 26–34. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2022.01.210276

Howard, G., Cushman, M., Moy, C. S., Oparil, S., Muntner, P., Lackland, D. T., Manly, J. J., Flaherty, M. L., Judd, S. E., Wadley, V. G., Long, D. L., & Howard, V. J. (2018). Association of clinical and social factors with excess hypertension risk in Black compared with White US adults. JAMA, 320(13), 1338. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.13467

Odion-Omonhimin, L. O., Marwizi, F. M., Chive, M., Obasi, N. B., Akinrinmade, A. O., Obitulata-Ugwu, V. O., Victor, F., & Obijiofor, N. B. (2022). Etiology and management of treatment-resistant hypertension in African American adults ≥18 Years: A literature review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29566

Ojji, D. B., Mayosi, B., Francis, V., Badri, M., Cornelius, V., Smythe, W., Kramer, N., Barasa, F., Damasceno, A., Dzudie, A., Jones, E., Mondo, C., Ogah, O., Ogola, E., Sani, M. U., Shedul, G. L., Shedul, G., Rayner, B., Okpechi, I. G., & Sliwa, K. (2019). Comparison of dual therapies for lowering blood pressure in Black Africans. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(25), 2429–2439. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1901113

Sessoms, J., Reid, K., Williams, I., & Hinton, I. (2015). Provider adherence to national guidelines for managing hypertension in African Americans. International Journal of Hypertension, 2015, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/498074

Still, C. H., Margevicius, S., Harwell, C., Huang, M.-C., Martin, L., Dang, P. B., & Wright Jnr, J. T. (2020). A community and technology-based approach for hypertension self-management (COACHMAN) to improve blood pressure control in African Americans: Results from a pilot study. Patient Preference and Adherence, 14, 2301–2313. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S283086

Zilbermint, M., Hannah-Shmouni, F., & Stratakis, C. (2019). Genetics of hypertension in African Americans and others of African descent. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(5), 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20051081

Marketing Plan For Bioko Treats In India Sample Assignment

Executive Summary:

The techniques Bioko Treats can employ to grow its business in the Indian market are laid out in this marketing plan. Ghana-based Bioko Treats crafts handmade chocolate from ingredients obtained locally. Bioko Treats has the chance to enhance its clientele and boost sales as the Indian chocolate market is expanding quickly. To succeed in India, the business must consider gastronomic preferences, packaging, and advertising that vary by location and culture. The marketing mix suggested in this plan comprises tactics for product customization, pricing, distribution, and promotion that are specific to the Indian market.

Introduction:

Jeanne Donkor established the Ghanaian chocolate business Bioko Treats (Bioko Treats, 2020). Bioko Treats creates artisanal chocolate using traceable cocoa beans from Ghana’s Eastern Region. Among other delicacies, the company’s products include cookies, pralines, and chocolate bars. The main market for Bioko Treats right now is Ghana, but the business is looking into ways to grow in other countries, like India. The company needs assistance on whether to standardize or change its food product, as well as advice on whether or not its product is suitable for overseas markets. In this study, the Indian market will be examined, and a marketing strategy will be created to assist Bioko Treats in achieving its objectives.

Market Entry Strategy

Through a joint venture with a local partner, Bioko Treats can access the Indian market and gain access to local knowledge and distribution networks. Alternatively, Bioko Treats may join the Indian market by signing a licensing deal with a regional producer who will make the company’s goods there. To sell its products online, Bioko Treats could look at e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart.

Market Analysis:

With a total population of more than 1.4 billion, India has a diversified population and culture (Worldometer, 2023). The chocolate market in India is expanding quickly, with an average annual growth rate of 20% (Mordor Intelligence, 2021). Due to factors like rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and shifting customer preferences, the Indian chocolate market is anticipated to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2028 (Imarc, 2023). Additionally, milk chocolate, which is around 70% of the Indian chocolate market, is highly preferred (Euromonitor International, 2021). Local brands predominate in the extremely fragmented Indian chocolate market. However, with its handcrafted chocolate products, Bioko Treats can capitalize on the rising demand for high-end and artisanal chocolate.

Marketing Objectives:

Building Bioko Treats’ reputation as an exclusive chocolate brand in India.

To use social media and influencer marketing to raise brand exposure and customer engagement.

To gain 10% of the Indian market share for premium chocolate within the first year of operations.

To raise revenue by 20% in the first year of business in India.

Target Market:

Urban Indians, particularly millennials and members of Generation Z, should be Bioko Treats’ primary market because they are more likely to try new things and are prepared to spend more on high-quality artisanal chocolate. These buyers prioritize their health and look for environmentally friendly and ethically sourced goods. Products from Bioko Treats are consistent with these ideals, making it a desirable choice for this market.

Consumer Behavior

When creating a marketing plan, it is essential to be aware of the distinctive tastes and preferences of Indian consumers. According to Chawla and Sondhi (2016), Indian consumers tend to favor milk chocolate over dark chocolate as well as sweeter, more flavorful chocolate. In order to capitalize on this inclination, Bioko Treats has created a variety of milk chocolates with distinctive flavors like spices and fruits.

Marketing Mix:

Product: The company needs to modify its offerings to appeal to the Indian market. While the company currently offers milk chocolate and dark chocolate, the Indian market strongly favors milk chocolate (Hegde et al., 2009). As a result, Bioko Treats ought to think about adding milk chocolate varieties to its product line. The business should consider including regional ingredients in its chocolate to satisfy regional tastes and preferences.

Pricing: Bioko Treats should consider setting competitive prices for its goods in the Indian market. The business should investigate local prices and modify its pricing strategy as necessary. To increase its market share, Bioko Treats could need to consider lowering its profit margins. Another thing the corporation should think about is offering discounts and promotions during the festive seasons to draw in the country’s price-conscious consumers.

Distribution: Bioko Treats should seek joint ventures with regional distributors, stores, and online retailers in India. To make sure that its products are broadly accessible, the corporation ought to think about forming partnerships with distributors who have a wide distribution network. In order to create its brand and foster consumer loyalty, Bioko Treats could also think about opening its retail locations in significant urban areas. To raise brand awareness and attract new consumers, the business may also consider opening pop-up shops in busy areas and participating in food and trade exhibitions.

Promotion: Bioko Treats needs to create a localized promotion strategy to increase brand recognition and draw clients in India. The business should use social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to communicate with potential customers and promote its products. To reach a larger audience, they also need to consider influencer marketing efforts. In order to increase brand recognition and interact with potential clients, the business may consider participating in regional culinary festivals and events. The business should also collaborate with Indian culinary influencers and bloggers to market its goods and foster word-of-mouth advertising.

Overall, Bioko Treats has a distinctive product line that meets the expanding Indian market for artisanal chocolate made with ethically derived ingredients. The corporation needs to have a strong distribution network, price its products competitively, cater to local tastes and preferences, and increase brand recognition to compete in the Indian market.

Budget

About $100,000 should be set aside by Bioko Treats for its early marketing efforts in India. The following should be the distribution of the budget:

$25,000 for product adaption

Distributed: $30,000.

$20,000 for digital marketing

Collaborations with bloggers and influencers: $15,000

Legal affairs: $10,000

Marketing Implementation:

The following suggestions are made for Bioko Treats to enter and flourish in the Indian market based on the analysis and marketing mix strategies:

Carry out market research to learn about Indian consumers’ buying tendencies and palate preferences.

Create alliances with Indian merchants and distributors.

Establish connections with Indian e-commerce platforms and launch the firm website. •

Start social media and influencer marketing efforts to raise brand recognition and consumer engagement.

Take part in food-related festivals and events to promote your products to new customers.

Add flavors like cardamom, saffron, and coconut to the product lineup to better suit regional preferences.

Use a premium pricing strategy to establish the brand as artisanal, high-quality chocolate;

Break into the Indian market through a joint venture with a local distributor.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Bioko Treats has a huge possibility to grow by entering the Indian market. The business offers a distinctive product line that fits India’s expanding need for artisanal and ethically sourced chocolate. The business must modify its product to fit the distinct preferences of the Indian market, charge a fair price, and take advantage of alliances with regional distributors and merchants if it is to be successful in this market. Bioko Treats can raise its brand awareness, attract new customers, and boost sales in this quickly expanding market by creating a tailored marketing mix that aligns with the tastes of the Indian market. Additionally, the business can forge a significant presence in the Indian market and achieve long-term success by creating a customized marketing strategy that considers the nation’s unique cultural and geographical distinctions.

References

Bioko Treats. (2020). About Bioko – Bioko treats. Bioko Treats – Best of Ghana Chocolates. https://biokotreats.com/about-bioko/

Chawla, D., & Sondhi, N. (2016). Attitude and consumption patterns of the Indian chocolate consumer: An exploratory study. Global Business Review, 17(6), 1412–1426. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0972150916660408

Euromonitor International. (2021). Chocolate confectionery in India. Euromonitor. https://www.euromonitor.com/chocolate-confectionery-in-india/report#

Hegde, A. M., Shetty, R., & Sequeira, A. R. (2009). The acidogenicity of various chocolates available in the Indian market: A comparative study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 2(2), 20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086558/

Imarc. (2023). India chocolate market share, size, industry growth 2023-2028. Market Research Company, Market Research Reports, and Consulting Services. https://www.imarcgroup.com/india-chocolate-market

Mordor Intelligence. (2021). India chocolate market share, size, analysis | 2022 – 27. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/india-chocolate-market

Worldometer. (2023). India population (2022). Worldometer – real-time world statistics. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/india-population/

Benefits And Downsides Of Using Digital Health Technologies Essay Sample For College

Introduction

Digital health is using technology to assist and improve healthcare services in various areas, such as telemedicine, wearable medical devices, electronic health records, and mobile health applications. The healthcare industry has undergone a transformation thanks to the rising trends and breakthroughs in digital health technology, which present new opportunities to enhance patient care and outcomes, widen access to healthcare, streamline administrative processes, cut costs, train healthcare professionals and empower effective communication between patients and healthcare providers (Lupton 2018). However, healthcare technologies have certain negatives, such as data security and privacy problems, the potential for health to increase already-existing health disparities, and issues with patient-provider communication and trust. This essay will briefly overview digital health technologies and analyze the benefits and downsides of using these technologies. This article will further discuss the ethical concerns of technological advances in healthcare and present specific instances and studies to illustrate how digital innovations are employed in practice in the healthcare sector. It does this by drawing upon an array of critical and collaboratively viewpoints from readings.

Examples and case studies of digital health technologies

The healthcare sector is transforming due to the quick evolution of digital health technologies. They present a variety of chances to raise the effectiveness and calibre of medical therapy. Electronic health records are among these technologies. Healthcare professionals may swiftly and readily obtain the medical history of a patient, test laboratory results, and other crucial information using the EHRs. Innovative health devices also include wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers. These tools can track a person’s heart rate, sleeping habits, and physical activity, among other elements of their health (Collier and Randolph, 2015). People can use this knowledge to make better-informed decisions regarding their health and way of life. Using video conferencing, conversations, and other electronic communication technologies in telemedicine enables healthcare professionals to assess and treat patients remotely. Telemedicine is a very applicable technology for patients with mobility challenges or chronic diseases that call for frequent check-ins and in rural locations with limited access to healthcare. Also, thousands of patient-accessible mobile health apps are available that cover anything from managing chronic diseases to mental health. These apps offer patients individualized guidance and support, as well as the ability for medical professionals to remotely check in on their patients. Finally, the production of medical equipment and prosthetics is being revolutionized by 3D printing (Ellerbeck 2023). This technique can be utilized in surgery to construct patient-specific replicas of organs and tissues, as well as to create prosthetics and implants that are custom-fit.

Teladoc Health is one of the well-known virtual healthcare organizations. The business provides patients from all over the world with digital health services. Patients can communicate in real-time via its telemedicine platform with doctors and other medical specialists without making an in-person visit (Mulia 2022). Teladoc Health systems provide remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and virtual therapy sessions.

Opportunities for digital health technologies

Digital health technologies have improved access to healthcare services. The availability of technologies has made patients access health services like adult and community nursing, preventive services, child health services and sexual health. The availability of these technologies and their vast networking enable patients to remotely access offers provided by their caregivers, improving healthcare delivery (WHO, 2018). Remote patient monitoring, patient portals and cloud computing innovations are critical health technologies that allow easy access to services for patients. Patient health portals make it faster for patients to book and schedule appointments with their caregivers. Although these portals differ from one facility to another, their primary roles are to manage patients’ medications and prescriptions from their pharmacists, check test results from laboratories, make payments, engage in collaborative communication with their caregivers and learn more about their health and treatments in a more detailed way.

Also, digital healthcare technologies effectively train healthcare professionals in their areas of specialization. From the beginning of the 21^st century, online learning has increased to more than 900%. The medical sector and education have rapidly changed due to changing technologies. Technology innovations like simulations, virtual learning and e-learning have evolved as innovative strategies to facilitate effective, remote, flexible and learner-centred teaching approaches for medical professionals (Gathu, 2021). Additionally, digital learning tools are cost-effective in allowing practical discussions and trainee understanding, which leads to high learner satisfaction and engagement. Finally, mobile devices and software technologies enable medical learners to polish their knowledge of disease diagnoses, medical management and calculations, patient health data and tracking health progress. In addition, digital health technologies streamline administrative processes in the medical sector. These technologies provide more efficient and effective ways of managing patients’ data and health records. Electronic Health Records help to minimize the time and resources required to handle paper-based data records and improve the accuracy, completeness and accessibility of patients’ data (Lupton, 2018). Digital health technologies like appointment scheduling and reminders automate patients’ scheduling and reduce workloads on administration, thus improving patient and healthcare providers’ adherence to their health plans.

Billing and claims management systems in healthcare automate billing and invoicing in health facilities reducing errors and delays and improving the efficiency of financial transactions. Healthcare technologies also increase patient outcomes. Better patient results are achieved by providing more accurate and timely diagnoses and personalized treatment options. For instance, to create more individualized treatment strategies, healthcare professionals can uncover genetic susceptibility for specific diseases with genomic testing (Chamberlain and Lyons 2022). With health technologies, patients can readily access their clinical records, which helps them be more educated about their medical conditions and encourage them to participate in shared decision-making with themselves and their healthcare providers (Ziebland and Wyke, 2012). Finally, health technologies enhance research capabilities in the medical field. These technologies provide fresh avenues for research and innovation. Technology developments have had a significant innovation in drug and antibiotic discovery, radiotherapy and imaging, diagnostics management and vaccine development and discovery. For instance, big data analytics can help medical researchers to highlight patterns and trends in health data, leading to new insights and discoveries (Chamberlain and Lyons 2022). Also, artificial intelligence in healthcare detects and diagnoses diseases more timely than conventional methods (Ellerbeck 2023). For example, AI can identify cancerous breast tissues, making mammograms be seen with high precision and faster, minimizing the need for biopsies. In conclusion, health technologies can help the healthcare industry by increasing efficiency, improving patient outcomes, improving healthcare education and training for healthcare workers, and empowering patients. They also improve research capacities, and patient and healthcare giver satisfaction.

Drawbacks of digital health technologies

Even while there are a lot of potential advantages to digital health technologies, some disadvantages must be taken into account. Concerns about privacy and security are a couple of the significant downsides of digital health technologies. Collecting, storing, and exchanging private patient data are all aspects of digital health technologies. These procedures give rise to privacy and security concerns because this information may be exposed to data breaches, theft and hacking. Also, sharing their sensitive data and experiences on the internet has resulted in the invasion of privacy, cyberbullying and exposure of offensive images and messages. Inconsistent facts and testimonies from patients with diverse backgrounds and knowledge might lead to uncertainty, false reassurance, and worry, impairing patients’ ability to make better, more innate decisions (Ziebland and Wyke, 2012). To establish more robust relationships between patients and their caregivers, help patients feel supported, and help patients find valuable and inspiring information about their medical problems, material supplied online must be reliable and truthful.

In addition, digital health technologies lead to fragmentation and standardization. Healthcare delivery may become fragmented and non-standardized due to the spread of digital health technologies. Various healthcare organizations and providers frequently use different digital health technologies, creating an environment where they operate in isolation (Marent and Henwood, 2022). As a result, patients may have to employ several different technologies and platforms to get the care they require, leading to a decentralized healthcare delivery system. Furthermore, other technologies could adhere to various standards and protocols, which makes it challenging to transfer data and information between multiple systems. Also, a lack of consistency in healthcare delivery may result from the usage of digital health technologies. Different technologies can be utilized to gather and retain data, which may lead to discrepancies and errors in patient records. As a result, there may be hazards to patient safety and misunderstanding and inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.

Also, using digital health technologies leads to a loss of human touch. It reduces the face-to-face interaction between healthcare givers and patients, potentially leading to a loss of empathy in healthcare. Patients may have less need to physically visit a healthcare professional for routine check-ups or consultations as telemedicine and virtual consultations become more prevalent (Lupton 2018). The level of personal involvement and interaction between healthcare practitioners and patients may decline as a result, even though it may be more accessible for patients. This can harm patients who need more outstanding psychological assistance or have complicated medical problems.

Additionally, using technology for digital health may save the time medical professionals spend with patients during in-person visits. For example, clinicians might rely increasingly on electronic medical records and other technological methods to gather patient data, resulting in less time spent interacting with patients directly. Digital technologies make it more difficult for patients and healthcare professionals to establish connections and foster confidence (Chamberlain and Lyons 2022). Direct communication and decision-making between healthcare personnel and patients may also be reduced due to increased reliance on analytics and decision-support technologies.

Using digital health technologies leads to issues related to accessibility, inequality and technology reliability and maintenance. The utilization of digital health technologies is predicated on the notion that all patients will have access to the required tools, programs, and internet connections (Van Dijck and Poell, 2016).For people who might otherwise find it difficult to obtain conventional medical services, such as those who live in remote places or have mobility problems, electronic health platforms have a chance to expand access to healthcare. However, because they demand the utilization of technology and digital literacy abilities, online health platforms risk developing brand-new types of inequity. While some patient populations, such as the elderly or those with lesser skills and education, may not benefit from these platforms, online health portals may be more effective in serving other patient populations, such as the younger and more educated. Instead of narrowing current healthcare inequities, this may increase them. Finally, digital health technologies need frequent maintenance and updates to maintain their functionality and security. In addition to the potential expense and effort involved, there is also a chance that the technology will malfunction (Lupton 2018). Dependence on digital health tools may cause healthcare professionals to lose knowledge and skills. For instance, healthcare providers may only be able to identify and manage patients with the help of digital technology if they rely primarily on these tools. Over-reliance can affect patient safety and result in declining the treatment standard.

Conclusion

The advancing trends and innovations in digital health technology have transformed the healthcare sector by opening up new possibilities for improving patient care and outcomes, expanding access to healthcare, streamlining administrative procedures, reducing costs, educating healthcare professionals, and enabling efficient communication between patients and healthcare providers. Healthcare technology can have certain drawbacks, too, including issues with data security and privacy, the potential to widen existing health disparities, and problems with patient-provider communication and trust. Clare rules and laws governing the collecting, using, and storing of health data must be established to address concerns about data privacy and security. This will guarantee the safety and protection of patient data. Clear guidelines must be selected for the monitoring and upkeep digital health technologies, and funds must be allocated for continual research and development to enhance their efficiency. Healthcare professionals, technology creators, governments, and patients will need to work together to overcome the problems with digital health technologies. We can make use of the potential of digital health technology to raise patient satisfaction and improve healthcare outcomes by working collaboratively to recognize and resolve these problems.

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