In some parts of the world, smartphones remind citizens that it's time to get a health check or get their child vaccinated. Doctors use new technologies to make a diagnosis or replenish medical supplies in time. However, for all its merits, digital medicine also creates new challenges that need to be overcome. |

Digital technologies in medicine: pros and cons

In some parts of the world, smartphones remind citizens that it's time to get a health check or get their child vaccinated. Doctors use new technologies to make a diagnosis or replenish medical supplies in time. However, for all its merits, digital medicine also creates new challenges that need to be overcome.

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed recommendations that can help countries achieve universal access to health care while complying with the main commandment of medicine “do no harm”.

For example, public databases that are accessible to a large number of people create the conditions for an invasion of privacy. The authorities must reassure patients that their data, including those relating to such a sensitive area as reproductive health, is well protected.

WHO experts recommend training physicians in digital skills, including the ability to adapt to infrastructure instability. “Digital medicine should not be taken as a panacea,” says Bernardo Mariano, WHO spokesperson. “We are proposing measures to make the system as efficient as possible.”

The recommendations also cover telemedicine issues, when people living in remote areas can receive help via digital communications. The WHO considers such services a valuable addition to the traditional doctor, but warns that they should not completely replace regular consultations.

Although the WHO has long been exploring the use of new technologies in medicine, such recommendations have been published for the first time. But they do not reflect all aspects of the issue. So the work continues.

In March of this year, the WHO Director-General announced the creation of the Department of Digital Medicine. The task of the new structure is to support countries in the implementation of new technologies in the health system.

In 2018, governments unanimously approved a World Health Assembly resolution to develop a global strategy to achieve universal health coverage. The strategy will be presented to the Assembly in 2020.