Digital health takes centre stage in tech show

The Consumer Electronics Show, which is being held online, will showcase technology for remote patient visits, biosensors and a range of other gadgetry that can help people avoid doctors' offices and waiting rooms

Washington: Digital health care is in the spotlight at the tech industry’s big event amid a pandemic that has highlighted the importance of remote services, with a potentially lasting impact on medical delivery.

The Consumer Electronics Show, which is being held online, will showcase technology for remote patient visits, biosensors and a range of other gadgetry that can help people avoid doctors’ offices and waiting rooms.

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Demand for telehealth services was projected to have risen 64 percent in the US alone, according to Frost & Sullivan researchers, underscoring the need for better communications platforms, home monitoring devices and more.

“We have learned that going into waiting rooms with other sick patients can be problematic and people are looking for other ways of getting care,” said Samir Qamar, a family physician and founder of MedWand, which is expected to launch its device with 10 diagnostic tools for remote care this year.

Companies have been developing remote tools that can be used at home, including stethoscopes, otoscopes, heart and blood pressure monitors, but need to show they are highly accurate in order to gain regulatory approval, Qamar noted.

CES exhibitors will be showing devices that monitor the elderly living alone for signs of medical issues, wearables that help with early detection of disease as well as various diagnostic tools.

Also, on display will be an array of workplace health gadgets, from smart thermometers to air purifiers and sanitizing robots.”Crazy devices such as personal air purifiers that were viewed with amusement last year will be viewed as much more relevant this year,” said Richard Windsor, an independent technology analyst who pens the Radio Free Mobile blog.