The year 2020 has brought many unexpected challenges, but with unexpected challenges come unexpected solutions. Which is why we wanted to discuss the future of healthcare from what has already changed to the ways in which experts anticipate how new technological developments and progressing patient behavioral trends are predicted to continuously impact how medical providers facilitate care even after the CoronaVirus.

Earlier this week, we discussed the impact COVID has had on some of our everyday habits in terms of how we socialize with others in public spaces like stores, gyms, restaurants and even on dates all during a pandemic. While we can only offer so many social safety tips, it’s important to also note the overwhelming developments of digital engagement technology that continue to connect us with our loved ones, educate us even when schools are closed, provide virtual healthcare services in addition to stabilize our economy with remote workforce management. That’s why in part 2 of our “Living In 2021” blog series, we are going to discuss how these advancements have evolved how we define “social interaction” as well as what this year ahead will look like with continuity of communication as its focus.

A year ago today we had no idea what 2020 would have in store for us. Although we have each experienced trials and tribulations both collectively and individually, we are here today to face yet another new year full of opportunities. That being said, it will also be another year of navigating continuous change, so to stay safe but still manage to live your life, we’ve created a two part “Living In 2021” series that will cover what to expect and how to overcome the new “normal”.

With this past week marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is important to not only remember those who passed and their families who are forever affected by this tragedy but to also recognize the first responders, fire fighters, police officers, military personnel as well as medical professionals that all served during this state of national emergency. As we commemorate their sacrifice and honor their commitment to public safety, the recent challenges of COVID-19 have presented the healthcare industry with similar issues of struggling to deliver patient care under pressures of fear, panic and confusion. While the pandemic has caused various obstacles for both patients and providers, there are some benefits that have come from the CoronaVirus such as increased collaboration among multispecialty care teams, prioritization of patient engagement in addition to technological advancements that have offered business continuity plans and goals to reshape the future of healthcare innovation. 

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day - so we wanted to raise awareness for behavioral and mental health initiatives, especially focusing on the negative stigmas surrounding suicide. **warning: topics of this conversation may be disturbing for some listeners**

To conclude our four part “Patient Innovation”#rtblogseries, today’s installment will discuss the advancements of RPM within the pulmonology industry. With a particular focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we wanted to offer some informative, educational resources for people who suffer from COPD, providers who treat it and any others who want to learn more about how virtual care technologies are playing a major role in innovating new methods of patient management as well as expanding rural access to COPD treatments. 

Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain (1) and each one of their experiences differs from the rest. With pain being the most common and frequent medical symptom, it is important to understand the significance of properly managing and monitoring patients who endure chronic pain conditions like nerve damage, inflammatory diseases and acute injuries. For the third installment of our “Patient Innovation” #rtblogseries we wanted to provide you with some resources about why chronic pain matters and how RPM technology is innovating patient behavior. 

Over the course of only a few months, the mental and behavioral health industry has procured increased awareness and advocacy for legitimizing the significance of both mental illnesses and behavioral health disorders. With over 40 million people suffering from depression and anxiety in the United States, 36.9% of them seek treatment while the other 38.5 million are facing it alone (1). As society becomes more aware of these issues, it is important that healthcare providers only continue to intervene by making services more accessible and affordable for the public. This second installment of our “Patient Innovation” #rtblogseries focuses on the differences between mental and behavioral health as well as discusses new technologies that have made virtual care more efficient and reliable for patients. 

This year has truly changed the face of healthcare, both for the better and worse. With the pandemic, medical professionals have had to juggle an influx of new safety procedures as well as overcome the restrictions and liabilities of continuously providing services during a time when fear and panic are heavily influencing patient behavior in terms of electronic payment trends, increased scheduling flexibility and progressive preferences for alternative methods of care. These evolving segments of healthcare are leading to a surge of virtual innovations for both clinical management and patient engagement, including the overwhelming growth of remote patient monitoring (RPM) within certain medical specialties such as behavioral health, pulmonology, chronic pain management and more. 

As this weekend (August 23) marks the beginning of National Healthcare Unit Coordinators (HUC) Week (August 23 - 29), now more than ever, it is important to remember the resilience of healthcare professionals around the world as well as appreciate the sacrifices they have all made in order to best protect our communities’ health and safety. That is why we wanted to raise some awareness for HUC Week  by offering some insightful facts and resources on why HUC’s are so important to the healthcare industry. Be sure to share this information with others and promote National HUC Week by using #NAHUC on social media.