Outpatient care is any type of medical care that does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. This includes doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, and minor surgeries. Outpatient care is becoming increasingly common in the United States, as technology has made it possible to provide more care outside of the hospital setting.

Here are 2–3 ways in which technological innovations have impacted, or will impact, the delivery of care in the United States:

1. Telemedicine: Telemedicine allows patients to see doctors and other healthcare providers through videoconferencing. This can be done from the comfort of a patient’s home, which can save time and money on travel and parking. Telemedicine is also being used to provide care to rural and underserved areas where there may be limited access to healthcare providers.
2. Remote patient monitoring: Remote patient monitoring uses devices to track patients’ vital signs and other health data at home. This data can be transmitted to healthcare providers, who can then monitor patients’ health remotely and intervene if necessary. Remote patient monitoring can help to prevent unnecessary hospital visits and improve patients’ health outcomes.
3. 3D printing: 3D printing is being used to create customized medical devices, such as prosthetics and implants. This can help to improve the fit and function of these devices, and it can also reduce the cost of manufacturing them. 3D printing is also being used to create models of patients’ anatomy, which can be used to plan surgery and other procedures.

Here are 2–3 ways in which technology has had, or is expected to have, a detrimental impact on the delivery of care:

1. Increased cost of care: Technology can be expensive, and the cost of healthcare is already rising rapidly. As more and more technology is used in healthcare, the cost of care is likely to continue to rise.
2. Cybersecurity risks: Technology can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, and this could lead to the theft of patient data or the disruption of healthcare services.
3. Disparities in access to care: Not everyone has access to the same level of technology, and this could lead to disparities in the quality of care that people receive.

Overall, technology has had a major impact on the delivery of healthcare in the United States. It has made it possible to provide more care outside of the hospital setting, and it has also led to improvements in the quality of care. However, there are also some downsides to technology, such as the increased cost of care and the risk of cyberattacks. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of technology when making decisions about its use in healthcare.