TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s hospitals are speeding up their digital transformation using medical technology and National Health Insurance data, the Industrial Technology Research Institute said.
At a forum on Wednesday, the institute noted that smart healthcare applications are expanding. Advances in sensing technologies are speeding up the adoption of wearable devices, while AI-driven technologies are boosting the growth of telemedicine and in-home care, per CNA.
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said the government will expand its home care program for seniors with chronic illnesses as the nation enters a super-aged society. Under the program, over 180 medical institutions and care providers send healthcare workers to seniors’ homes to monitor their health and manage medications.
The institute added that some semiconductor manufacturers have begun launching energy-efficient chip solutions for medical wearables to improve battery life and computing performance. Some wearable devices have also adopted materials that reduce skin irritation and enhance sensor accuracy.
These devices can track people’s health data over time, allowing AI-powered systems to identify potential health risks. Hospitals can then use the information to monitor individuals and intervene before conditions worsen.
The institute also highlighted the role of AI in the medical sector. It said that a local medical product company is using AI technology combined with muscle activity monitoring to help medical workers track rehabilitation. Another firm uses AI-powered wearable devices to assist doctors in screening for stroke and neurological disorders.
More manufacturers are focusing on open platforms and data sharing to allow information to flow across hospital departments, the institute said. Robots and automated equipment are starting to connect with hospital systems and AI platforms to help collect data, assess risks, and coordinate tasks.
The institute added that most healthcare providers are using cloud technology and data integration to link individuals’ health information, allowing care services to extend to community care centers and homes.
