Digital Health: The Patient Experience

Have you ever wondered what some of those fancy technological words meant? 

Have you ever wondered what all those confusing technological terms can do for you? 

Below are just some very basic terms that will hopefully clarify a few of those areas for you and what the experience could mean to you. 

Firstly, one does not need to know what, when why or how a particular device or programme does what it does. Most of us can get by on a “need to know” basis. In other words, leave the techy stuff to the technological experts. You and your doctor can focus on results and achieving an excellent patient experience. The following is an attempt at explaining and simplifying some of the basic terms that may appear on any website, in very layman terms.  

• Digital: This is an electronic technology format and process, commonly referred to as a “digital language “that is capable of generating, processing and storing data/information. Called a binary code, this format/process transforms data into alpha-numeric, readable information.  

This input and processing of information method is more accurate, clearly readable, much faster, easily retrievable and helps to make better, faster decisions, thereby making detailed diagnoses  such as identifying what is the illness and therefore more accurate prognoses (outcomes/treatment). This method consumes less storage and has the ability to protect your private and confidential files in a more superior manner than conventional paper storage. 

• Digital – Online: This means someone (human) or something (electronic device) that is connected to or works through, the use of the internet.  

This allows for much faster retrieval of information at your fingertips. 

• A Platform: Platforms are more user-connected as they generally require and solicit some amount of personalised user communication and interaction.   

Examples of digital platforms would be related to: Shopping sites like Amazon, eBay, clinics or doctors, charitable organisations, directory, information, student education, research; banking etc. 

• An Internet/Web  browser: Also referred to as a “browser,” is an application that uses a piece of digital software to access and view websites.    

A web browser can transport you to almost anywhere on the internet. It retrieves information from other parts of the World Wide Web and displays it on your desktop, mobile device or other electronic devices. Web-browser examples are Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Apple Safari to name a few . 

•  A Web-page is a single document on the web using a unique URL, while a website is a collection of multiple web-pages in which information on a related topic or another subject is linked together under the same domain address 
• A Website: These are more information based, not requiring personal interaction or information, like a platform does.  
• A  Search Engine is a special kind of website that helps users to find web pages from other web-sites.  It is basically a software system designed to carry out web searches systematically, for particular information. 

Search engine examples: Google, Yahoo!, Bing, and MSN Search etc. 

• A “URL” is simply a prefix before the address of a specific webpage or file on the Internet. This indicates the specific protocol to be used to locate the desired enquiry.  This is generally shown as http:// 

 For example, the URL of the RioMed Ltd.  web-site is “https://riomed.com.” The address of this page is” https://www.riomed.com/contact-form/ “  ?     

• Icons are visually represented by some small graphic design on electronic devices such as your computer or mobile or tablet etc. You simply click on an icon to tell the computer to do a particular task, such as opening a specific feature or file; saving a document, file, picture or spreadsheet; or starting a particular programme etc.  

Perhaps the word symbol or picture will help to relate better with the following examples: For instance, a text/word document icon or symbol, is represented by a blue square with the letter ‘W’ on it; the WhatsApp icon or symbol is a white telephone in a green filled balloon, Google Mail is designated by a multi-colored “M” and so forth. These are designed to make life easier for those of us that are not so technologically inclined. 

• Hardware refers to the actual physical make-up of a computer. Hardware components would be: the central processing unit (CPU), otherwise known as the brains of the computer, disk drives, flash-drive/ USB ports, keyboard, monitor, motherboard, and mouse etc. The hardware is what actually performs the work. Over the years, since in the 1960’s, hardware has been constantly refined from bulky machines to light-weight, compact modern digital devices such as lap-top computers, smart-phones, medical equipment, tablets etc. User-friendly is one of the main motivators in improving the demand for technology devices. 
• Software refers to the programmes and other operating information that run on a computer. Originally written by computer programmers, and then converted into a digital (binary) format to instruct the computer hardware how to work. Software is paperless and generally refers to applications, programmes and scripts that run on an electronic digital device, and those instructions control what work the computer does. Again, user-friendly apps, programmes etc. are one of the foremost drivers in development of electronic equipment for usage by the masses. 
• A device, in computer terms, mainly refers to equipment with electronic digital capabilities.  Most of us know these devices as – computers, lap-tops, smart-phones/mobiles, smart-watches, tablets, etc.  With each passing decade (or less), the list grows and grows as the demand for modern technology increases in every sphere of our modern world, and modern medical technology is one of those paths to the future which is constantly being explored. 
• An application (app.) is primarily designed for digital electronic devices as mentioned in #12 above.  An app. is a paperless software programme, downloadable to your devices. These apps. allow the user all sorts of avenues.  From games, to learning languages, investigation, education at all levels, medical assistance, healthcare services, booking of flights, hotels, tickets, communication, banking etc. There are no limits to what an “app.” can do. 

Modern technology is just like riding a bicycle or driving a car.  One does not need to know how to make it, or how to fix it, but once you get the feel and the hang of using it, you are on your way to having an enjoyable, new experience. 

We hope that these above terminologies help expand your knowledge.  

We have designed our products to be user-friendly – easy to follow instructions- with each step following each one in a logical sequence.  Should you wish further information as to how RioMed Ltd. can provide a solution in creating an excellent patient experience, please contact us or visit our web-site .