Japan’s population is 126,406,369 as of September 2020, yet 20% of the country’s populace is above the age of 65. This is the highest rate of the elderly in relation to overall population density across the globe. By 2030, the aging populace might increase to one in three over the age of 65. With such an exacerbated aging population, digital healthcare in Japan has taken the reigns of health moving forward.

What is Digital Health?

Digital health covers an array of evolving technologies to meet the needs of the healthcare systems of the 21st century. This includes telehealth, wearable devices, mobile health, telemedicine, personalized medicine and health information technology. This empowers patients to be more connected to their health needs and healthcare team. Digital healthcare assists in disease prevention, early diagnosis and management of lifelong chronic illnesses.

Also, mobile applications have been on the rise. They help doctors to make clinical decisions without face-to-face contact. These tools have vastly optimized treatment and delivery, and it further provides a holistic view of data based on a patient’s record. These technologies aim to reduce costs, increase quality, improve access, reduce inefficiencies and make medicine personalized. In conjunction with smart devices and applications, it is changing the way health professionals communicate with patients.

The Digital Hospital

Additionally, as Japan’s population continues to age, a new approach to how hospitals operate is paramount. A culture to implement digital transformation is essential in helping management push for digital healthcare on every organizational level. Ensuring communication between various technologies and devices is critical in moving hospitals forward. With technology constantly evolving, hospitals will need to plan for aging software and hardware. Furthermore, a larger focus on data will develop a solid foundation as hospitals begin to transform into the digital landscape. As the digital age continues to revolutionize hospitals, the staff becomes a dire investment as they formulate digital strategies. Also, cybersecurity will need to proliferate to secure hospital data from potential breaches.

Japan’s Digital Healthcare Revolution

Japan’s population is aging with around 21% of the population being 65 and older, which has created a challenge for the preexisting healthcare system. The government of Japan has focused on a strategy centered around digital healthcare to help this problem. The country sees it as an opportunity for growth.

Telemedicine and mobile applications are paving the way for digital health in Japan. Patients can connect with physicians via any mobile device to access medical data and hold video chats with doctors. This removes the travel and wait times patients would have had otherwise. It would also prove to be most beneficial for patients living in remote or rural areas.

Furthermore, even virtual reality has helped healthcare workers understand how various diseases affect patients. Silver Wood Corp, a Tokyo based firm, developed a simulation to mimic the effects of dementia. It is aided in providing a deeper understanding of such a complex illness while offering help with treatment.

Overall, Japan’s population is getting older in relation to the rest of its population. However, with these new technological developments and strategies, the country is creating a more stable and accessible healthcare model. Moving forward, technologies like VR, smart devices and wearable devices will greatly improve the standard of care Japan has come to expect. With so many innovations on the rise, Japan’s digital healthcare revolution is prepared to meet the demands of an aging society.

As the new digital age of medicine takes the forefront of patient care in Japan, it will also help set a precedent for implementation across the globe. Telehealth practices can help underserved areas gain access to medical professionals without the need to spend costly time or money for an in-person visit. Nations with spread-out populations or a lack of physical infrastructure may want to look into expanding internet access and incentivizing telehealth practices to help underserved communities utilize the medical resources they desperately need.

– Michael Santiago
Photo: Wikimedia Commons