You may not have noticed, but digital technologies have had a major impact on day-to-day health management. Who knows more about your health, your annual visit to the doctor or your daily use of an Apple Watch or other health app? But what has become even more typical is that most people now seek medical advice on Google or TikTok before going to a doctor.
Today, the general public believes that influencers are more approachable than doctors. This is how they start their search for health information online. However, since most influencers are not medical professionals, they do not have the necessary training or reputation.
The health industry is realizing the potential of digital health products such as wellness apps and remote monitoring solutions to advance and deliver critical everyday health assistance to combat misinformation.
With leading health insurers, hospital networks and international pharmaceutical companies, I have developed games, digital business platforms and digital health apps that are used worldwide. The health industry has always been reluctant to make digital health-related recommendations, believing it could lead to misunderstandings and liabilities.
Those same companies are now realizing that providing patient support is both in demand and profitable. This has led to an impetus to develop digital solutions that provide individualized health literacy advice and content.
In my experience, the following critical elements should be included by any digital health company in their products to meet current consumer demands:
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Add an element of mental health
One of the most searched health topics on TikTok is mental health help. Unfortunately an analysis of 500 TikTok videos with the hashtag #mental health tips revealed that 83% of the advice was incorrect at best and potentially harmful in some cases. Finding reliable content is more important than ever, with 1 in 5 adults in the US who have a mental disorder each year.
Compared to TikTok, which is free and readily available, the average psychotherapist has a long waiting list and charges $100 to $200 per session. The ability of remote health services to provide medically sound supplies to people in need is a major challenge and a major opportunity.
Many digital health companies are quickly realizing that providing members with more than just cursory nutrition and exercise advice is critical to their success. Some level of mental health support is often necessary for good results, whether it’s seeking weight loss solutions, treating insomnia, or dealing with chronic conditions.
When people are feeling down and want to connect with others who share their interests, apps like TikTok can feel individualized and helpful. To provide reliable mental health care, brands are now turning to more human solutions such as telemedicine, online forums and tailored hopeful stories. This improvement promotes healthy choices and long-lasting change at the same time.
The apparent fallback if digital health solutions fail to provide beneficial mental health support will be to continue seeking advice on social media sites.
If you want to read more details about TikTok, you should check out some relevant posts below:
Create a fluid consumer experience
The industry is aware of the extreme fragmentation of the health system. Everyone you talk to will have anecdotal stories of trying to interpret a medical bill or find an in-network doctor. These calls take time and often lead to confusing referrals to other departments or even calls to individual companies.
Two thousand and twenty-three digital solutions need to be built around the omnichannel experience to address the current isolated state of affairs and improve interoperability. Organizations develop design systems and take full control of their IT stack.
For example, the pharmaceutical industry has ambitious plans to link to advocacy content and electronic health records to personalize patient education materials and treatment alternatives, depending on the information they provide.
Hospitals and health insurers combine their diverse websites, data solutions and technological platforms into a streamlined service. As a result, members can manage and be in charge of their medical care in one convenient location.
Offer free legal remedies
Free choice is essential for the widespread use of digital health products.
Many experts attribute the increasing frequency of various chronic diseases to health disparities, including food deserts and poor health literacy. If we’re following the money, health insurance is really about helping people avoid getting sick, so maybe that’s the hero we’re looking for to fight this (fewer hospitalizations and claims mean more savings for their business).
Many insurance companies are increasingly offering digital health solutions to huge employer networks to reduce the number of people at risk for chronic disease. Based on the success of these pilots, I expect it will soon be commonplace to have specific telehealth and remote monitoring solutions working together to keep you healthy.
Since TikTok is free, digital health companies competing for medical advice should also offer free options for their users.
I think digital health products will eventually become the norm in healthcare. But for widespread adoption, it’s critical that these companies consider mental health, improve interoperability, and address systemic issues.
We have covered some other articles related to TikTok. Check the message below:
Solutions that are reliable and accessible not only aid in preventive care, but also provide a comprehensive experience that can help prevent the spread of misinformation. TikTok won’t go away, but if individuals can access the right information through wearables and digital apps, 2023 could be the year digital health products really take off.
