healthtechnology

Health technology refers to the tools, devices, software, and processes used to prevent, diagnose, treat, monitor, or manage health and disease. It encompasses medical devices, health information technology, digital health, and biometric wearables. Core components include hardware such as imaging systems and prosthetics, software such as electronic health records and clinical decision support, and services such as telemedicine and remote monitoring.

Common applications include electronic health records, telemedicine, mobile health apps, AI-assisted diagnostics, imaging analysis, robotic-assisted surgery, genomics-guided therapy, point-of-care testing, and home health monitoring. These technologies aim to improve access to care, enhance diagnostic accuracy, support personalized treatment, and increase the efficiency of health systems.

Benefits include better access to care, improved quality and safety, and more efficient service delivery. Challenges involve ensuring safety and efficacy, protecting patient privacy and data security, achieving interoperability across systems, addressing cost and equity gaps, and avoiding bias in algorithms or workflows.

Regulation and standards govern health technology. Agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency review devices and software for safety and effectiveness. Interoperability standards like HL7 and FHIR support data exchange, while privacy frameworks such as HIPAA govern data use. Ethical considerations include consent, transparency, and equitable access.

The field has evolved from stand-alone medical devices to digital health ecosystems and data-driven care. Ongoing trends include artificial intelligence, cloud-based health information, and connected devices, with emphasis on robust evidence, patient-centered design, and governance to manage risks.