---
title: How Technology Has Changed Healthcare
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/how-technology-has-changed-healthcare/"
type: post
date_published: 2016-09-23
date_modified: 2016-09-23
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 704
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/how-technology-has-changed-healthcare/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Technology-Blog.jpg"
categories:
  - Nursing Careers
topic:
  - Healthcare
---

# How Technology Has Changed Healthcare

![What has technology changed in healthcare?](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Technology-Blog.jpg)

Over the past century, technology has changed the way physicians diagnose and
deliver healthcare to patients. It has changed the way patients schedule
appointments and receive treatment for ailments as well as the process for
healthcare management.  The medical field has always integrated hand-in-hand
with science and formed partnerships with the brightest physicians and
scientists. Technology has advanced the medical field in many ways and has
improved the mortality rate and general well being for patients.

- **Internet**-The Internet has changed the way patients are checked in and out
  of an office or hospital by using Internet based software. It has also changed
  the way physicians analyze data, with instant access to large quantities of
  data available with the click of a mouse. With the ability to search the
  Internet for symptoms and conditions to assist in the diagnosis and treatment
  process, many patients have taken their healthcare into their own hands.
- **EHR (Electronic Health Records)**– By 2013, 80% of hospitals had implemented
  the use of EHR for accessing, processing, and storing patient data. EHR has
  made it possible for doctors and physicians to instantly access multiple
  years’ worth of a patient’s medical history, resulting in a more thorough
  examination of previous health conditions, treatments, and outcomes. EHR has
  also streamlined the billing and coding processes of medical claims, resulting
  in faster and more accurate submission and reconciliation of claims.
- **Robotic Surgery**-The use of robotics in healthcare has increased rapidly in
  the United States at a rate of 400% from the year 2007 to 2011. Robotic
  surgery can be performed for a wide variety of procedures including
  hysterectomies, urology conditions, ophthalmology procedures, and mastectomies
  to name a few. The benefits of using the option of robotic surgery, includes
  minimally invasive operations when compared to traditional methods and shorter
  total surgery time.
- **mHealth**-Mobile Health (mHealth) refers to freeing medical devices from
  cables and cords, allowing medical devices to become wireless and mobile. This
  allows patients and physicians to follow up on health conditions while they
  are on the go. Tablets and mobile smart phones have technology that allows
  patients to download EKG and blood pressure information from their medical
  devices at home and electronically submit readings to their specialist.
  mHealth also allows physicians to be reached on their mobile device at all
  hours throughout the day and night if patient care is required.
- **Telehealth**-Telehealth refers to the use of digital technology to deliver
  medical care and health education by connecting multiple users from various
  locations. Patients have the ability to video conference with physicians for
  their routine appointment verses being examined physically, thus, reducing the
  fee structure typically charged for an office visit and saving time of the
  commute to the physician’s office as well.
- **Remote Monitoring Tools**-In 2010, the Affordable Health Care Act required
  the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a protocol to reduce
  the re-admission rates for patients into hospitals. As a result, numerous
  companies have developed Remote Monitoring Technology that constantly monitors
  patient’s chronic health care conditions, which can catch deviations in health
  prior to re-admission to the hospital. With the ability for patients to
  monitor conditions such as diabetes, oxygen levels, and blood pressure on
  their own at home, and for the results to be submitted on a daily basis
  electronically to their medical provider, patients can receive corrective
  treatment prior to an ailment requiring costly re-admission to the hospital.

Breakthroughs in technology have given medical providers new tools, made patient
information available at click of a mouse, and added fresh ways to practice
medicine.  If you are thinking about a career in healthcare and like the idea of
working with patients to help promote health and wellness, then a career in
Allied Health or Nursing may be for you. If you like using technology,
[Medical Billing and Coding (Health Information)](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-billing-coding/how-to-become-a-medical-coder-biller/)
 integrates the medical field with technology and could also be a rewarding
career. Contact Arizona College today to learn more about our Allied Health
degree and diploma programs offered at our Glendale and Mesa campuses.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of September 23, 2016._

**Categories:** Nursing Careers