The future of tech in medical fields: What’s next?
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The way we work is changing and the landscapes of industries we all know are evolving at a rapid pace. One such industry which has felt the benefits of technological advancements in particular is the medical field. From the way patients’ data is processed, to the treatments available and the developments in medicine, the landscape is completely different to how it was just a few years ago. In this article we take a look at the future of tech in medical fields, what to expect and just how incredible these advancements are. Keep on reading to find out more.
Why is technological development so important in the medical industry?
Technology development is one of the most important things in the medical industry as it will continue to offer groundbreaking advancements that improve and save lives.
It can help with improved diagnosis and treatment
Technology advancements such as MRI and CT scans are always improving and can enable early diagnosis of diseases, improving the prognosis. Robotic surgery and advanced tools mean once treatment has begun that recovery times, pain incurred and the risks to patients are reduced.
It can offer enhanced patient care
Telemedicine such as remote consultations mean that people can receive care no matter where they are and have greater access to experts. This means less lengthy waits for GP appointments. Wearable devices such as watches or health rings can continuously monitor vital signs to detect issues in real time, while AI aids can help to diagnose conditions and analyse medical imagery with greater precision.
It can increase efficiency in healthcare delivery
Mundane tasks such as scheduling, billing and medical record management can be automated, saving time for medical professionals to do the more important tasks. AI and machine learning can also be used with predictive analysis able to allocate resources and manage patient loads.
Patient safety is improved
When it comes to medical care,the safety of patients is priority and automated systems can reduce the chance of human error when it comes to dosing, surgical procedures and data entry. UV robots and sterilization technologies can also help to maintain hygiene in medical facilities.
What are some things to keep in mind when it comes to tech in the medical industry?
With the advancements in technology, also comes a sense of responsibility and care. It’s vital that patients are still at the forefront and things such as their data are taken care of. Some of the main things to keep in mind when it comes to this includes:
The importance of cybersecurity
As technology becomes more advanced, so do the skills of hackers that could try and steal information. Patient information is extremely sensitive and the tech systems that are in place to do daily operations within the hospital must also be protected from hackers. With this in mind, it’s vital to utilize a full-service medical device cybersecurity firm who can help to support medical devices and medical device manufacturers to keep these safe from attackers. Cybersecurity for computers and data is also important and as well as a reliable company, staff should be trained regularly to know how to spot things like phishing scams or untrustworthy links and emails.
Cost and accessibility
Automation and efficient processes reduce operational costs for medical businesses, helping to make it more affordable for all. The more mainstream and regularly used these advancements get, the better it is for all. Things such as mobile health apps and telemedicine mean that people from all over the globe, no matter their walk of life can receive expert, life-saving care and low-resource settings too.
Ethical considerations
It’s vital that medical boards continue to ensure the technology they use meets regulatory standards set by bodies like the FDA (USA), EMA (Europe), or MHRA (UK). They also need to comply with data protection regulations and get the required approval from ethics committees.
What is the future of tech in medical fields?
The future of tech in medical fields is exciting. There are always more developments taking place, designed to improve the outlook of patients. Some of the things to expect include:
More AI and machine learning focus
AI is already used in a lot of our daily lives already, but it is really being used in the medical field. AI will be able to help with so many things, such as analyzing medical images, studying genetic data to find any clues or indicators for issues and going through patient histories to be able to detect diseases earlier and with a greater level of accuracy. The algorithms of machines will also be able to predict disease outbreaks before they occur meaning that facilities can be more prepared, as well as tell faster if a patient is deteriorating and what might be the cause of this. It can predict treatment outcomes and let you know which will be the best treatment for an illness or ailment that someone has. This can make trial drugs more effective and hopefully patients will be put on the best course of treatment much faster. Robotics are also able to help with things such as surgery, enabling it to be less invasive, have less risks and also be done faster and without human error or fatigue.
A more personalized experience
Personalisation is so vital in healthcare as everyone’s body is different and therefore one treatment doesn’t necessarily fit all. Advancements in genetic sequencing enable treatments to be tailored depending on the individual’s genetic makeup and means they can receive a more personalized plan. This can help have a great chance of curing them, elongating their life, or just improving their quality of life. AI can help with designing drugs which are optimized for specific individuals, reducing the amount of side effects they receive and being able to target specific mutations or disease pathways.
Wearable devices
The rise of wearable devices is something that is only continuing to increase in popularity. Smartwatches from big brands such as Apple, or the rings such as Whoop are designed to monitor your sleep, heart rate and other health factors. In the near future they will also be able to measure things such as glucose levels, hydration and stress, meaning you’ll be able to track conditions and identify them before they potentially become an issue. This can also help healthcare providers have a deeper insight into what might be going on in your body without you having to come in and have a study done as the data will already be there. Advanced sensors will be able to track your vital signs and detect issues before they occur, potentially saving people before they have a stroke or heart attack, giving them time to call for help.
3D printing in medicine
3D printing has been around for a while, but has been seen as a bit of a gimmick by many, yet this won’t be the case for much longer. Infact, soon 3D Printing will be able to create personalized implants, prosthetics and medical devices, bringing the cost of these down as well as making them more accessible for all and having a much faster lead time. Bioprinting is also being looked into, where human tissues and organs are experimented being printed. This will revolutionize the industry completely, meaning people aren’t left on lengthy organ donation registers waiting for a potential match while their condition declines in the meantime. Not only will 3D printing make everything faster and more affordable, but also more accessible for those that need it the most and might not have been able to access it in the past in the same way.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality such as VR is another fantastic tool that is helping medicals change the way they do their job. VR can help provide detailed training, where they can be inside a simulation practicing different surgeries without having to do so on a real patient. It offers much more detailed training in a real-life setting and can give important information in real time. AR and VR can also help patients to visualize the procedures they are going to go through and get a better idea of their condition. This can help them manage it and also be more mentally prepared and in the know about what they are going through.
These are just a few valuable insights into the future of tech in medical fields, showcasing why it’s so vital that these developments take place. The medical field is one of the most important out there, saving lives and giving hope to people that might have an otherwise poor quality of life, or a lower life expectancy. With so many developments happening right before our eyes now, as well as into the future, it’s exciting thinking about what is to come in the next few years. What are some of the insights you’ve found most interesting about the future of tech in medical fields? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.
