A glimpse at women’s healthcare in 2015

The New Year is almost upon us. We can anticipate some changes in several aspects of our lives in 2015 and beyond. Women’s healthcare will not be left behind, you will notice plenty of new stuff in matters related to your health.

For starters, you will play an increasing role in managing your own health. You will decide when to see your healthcare provider, and when not to bother. It’s all very well to be advised about routine visits to check on your health, but you alone will decide which appointments to honor.

You will come to expect a two-way discussion about various treatment options. You then will make a choice based on your individual factors. Your doctor will no longer routinely recommend one choice over another, the call will all be yours.

You can expect most of your appointments to be virtual. Medical innovations and current technology have already made this possible. All that will be needed are smart gadgets and web connectivity. You could be in a remote part of the country, with your doctors holed up in their city offices.

It won’t matter. All you’ll need is to alert them, log into their encrypted systems and start your consultation. A virtual prescription will come your way. No problem if a surgical procedure will be required. This too will be done remotely in a facility near you. It won’t all be free though, virtual consultation charges are already in existence.

And your doctors will look more modern. The days of stethoscopes hanging round your doctor’s neck are gone. These will be replaced by newer gadgets that give more information, and will even suggest interventional options. You’ll hear everything that your doctor has always heard via the aged stethoscope, but even better, you’ll see in 3D what everything looks like inside.

You’ll also be able to self-monitor for all conceivable conditions using your smart phone, and just pass on some of the data to your doctors. Less hospital visits then and less lab tests. More lifestyle adjustments, and more money saved from unnecessary medical interventions.

The thick manila folder containing all your medical details will go through a shredder. As more healthcare providers embrace electronic medical records, fewer of you will have any paper records in your doctor’s offices. You’ll be able to keep a copy of your updated electronic records, virtually archived and accessible via encrypted algorithms whenever necessary. Days of repeatedly giving your medical history to physicians will be gone. It will all be there at the click of a mouse. Cross-reference between specialists will be much better, and more efficient.

In 2015, you can expect to access your healthcare providers wherever, and whenever. Everything will be at your convenience. No more excuses for untimely consults. Best wishes for 2015.