If there is one positive thing that came out of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic it would be a new appreciation for technology within the healthcare sector. Had it not been for several advances in technology and the way in which it can be used, things could have been so much worse than they already were. In retrospect, we can thank technology for most, if not all, of the progress that was made over the past two years.
1. Tracking Platforms
Almost from the very beginning of the pandemic, health officials were able to track and document cases as they spread here at home in the United States as well as abroad. In fact, the surest way to avoid contracting the virus is to not come into contact with an infected individual or someone carrying the virus. By tracking where cases are surging, it was possible to put restrictions into place in the hope of containing Covid in those areas. While it wasn’t 100% effective, it was through no fault of the tracking technology, since it was virtually impossible to keep people isolated 100% of the time. Still, it did help to mitigate the spread and that was a real plus.
2. Remote Access to Advanced Training
For years it was known that healthcare is in crisis due to a lack of qualified doctors and nurses. With the loss of lives from Covid and a number of healthcare workers simply getting burned out, the shortage of healthcare workers became critical. In order to educate nurses, for example, online programs enabled them to study when on-campus classes were shut down. This is how so many nurses furthered their career from RN to FNP. This helped immensely to fill the void in practitioners. Also, RNs seeking a BSN degree could be better prepared to offer higher levels of patient care. If this is something you are looking to do, you can find out more on the UTA website so that you needn’t wait until the pandemic ends to further your career. Your expertise is needed now.
3. Laboratory Technology in the Development of Vaccines
It is amazing to realize just how quickly effective vaccines were developed. Advances in technology made that possible, but also, the ability to remotely collaborate with global experts played a major role in the speed at which vaccines were developed and approved for human use. Perhaps for the first time in history vaccines were developed and released within a single year and that was largely due to technology. Connectivity and data analytics were crucial to the release of vaccines and without that technology, many, many more lives would have been lost.
Just as quickly as the virus spread around the globe, it became apparent to those working in healthcare that the world has a real need for qualified medical professionals. Covid tracking platforms also show where there is greatest need for doctors and nurses. Technology can help prepare interested individuals by giving them a channel to pursue the necessary education. Thanks to advances in technology and a great number of students ready to do their part, there is every possibility that Covid can be kept in check sooner rather than later.
