How Apps & Software Can Help Fight Future Pandemics

As pandemics and epidemics continue to threaten human life, viruses show their dangerous influence on the world. Over time, many have tried to learn new ways to fight against unexpected pandemics and the damage they cause for millions of people. As technology continues to play an essential role during outbreaks, the COVID-19 virus highlighted the underlying importance of digital technology as part of a healthcare initiative. Although technology may not be a cure, it can help prevent the spread, educate, increase awareness, and warn society.

Today digital technologies like machine learning, virtual meetings, big data, and more can help society prepare for future pandemics. Here are various apps and software that can help fight future pandemics:

Wearable or Mobile Technology

Currently, we have multiple wearable sensors, compatible with mobile phones, that can detect temperature, glucose levels, and other critical vitals that prove helpful in managing potential pandemic situations. These devices can highlight vital historical records to analyze should a person develop symptoms. While seeking treatment for an illness (whether a pandemic or disease), the doctor can test initial symptoms to determine whether you have the disease.

Monitoring occurs through wearable sensors, making it possible for medical professionals highlighting the seriousness of the disease in question. Additionally, mobile and wearable devices can allow supervision throughout diagnosis, treatment, and discharge.

Big Data for Mapping and Tracing

During COVID-19, people began reporting their symptoms through mobile applications. This method was beneficial, particularly as the symptoms were associated with someone’s GPS location. Researchers could determine the pandemic’s spread status by collecting, organizing, or analyzing the data.

Tracking maps allows the monitoring of hot spots and patterns throughout the world, maintaining contact with positive individuals to stop the spread of viruses. Mobile technology can track all aspects of the pandemic, keeping with the spread pattern.

Minimizing Waste of Resources

The healthcare industry is an essential industry with critical supplies and medication. Vaccine development can often save millions from potentially deadly implications of the virus, making distribution crucial. As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, no stand-by list currently exists to offset the vaccine waste that occurs. Overages were simply discarded, even during times of significant shortage. Developing ongoing stand-by lists will make healthcare services more accessible to otherwise lost resources.

Example of Stand-By Platforms in Action

One platform emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, trying to mitigate the loss of vaccines. The Dr. B website was a free network of interested applicants who wanted to receive an immunization. Eligible clinics could register for the Dr. B network, notifying the network when extra doses were available for administration. The platform then sent SMS notifications to qualified individuals wanting to receive the COVID-19 dose.

Developing Virtual Healthcare Platforms

A virtual healthcare platform can offer a virtual visit between doctor and patient using communication technology. Patients can meet medical professionals through audio and video, minimizing direct exposure given the many applications in healthcare you can choose from this year. During future pandemics, individuals under strict quarantine can mitigate transmission risks. Virtual healthcare platforms also remain helpful for regular patients needing care, especially elders at risk of complications. A virtual health system would be a game changer when the pandemic spreads to poor regions without medical facilities.

Preventing Fake News

As fake news spreads across communities and populations, panic and anxiety continue to grow. Whether the information is the number of deaths, shortages, home remedies, or policy development, the anxiety connected can become more dangerous than any other virus. This may result in panic buying, violence, discrimination, or conspiracies. To help guide individuals, many digital agencies are developing methods of verifying information published by government agencies and the World Health Organization. With more accurate information, populations can make better decisions within a pandemic environment.

Final Thoughts

While pandemics are notoriously dangerous, mitigating the spread is only part of the problem. It’s essential to implement technology in a concise and relevant way that betters the population overall. Users can access otherwise obsolete services by implementing new access to healthcare technology. As technological trends continue to emerge, communities must embrace the shift to a virtual network. Users should instead focus on combining traditional healthcare methods with technological advances overall. With a hybrid approach, future pandemics may have minimal influence over our communities and healthcare system.