10 Ways Technology is Changing Healthcare — Nnamdi Njoku
During the peak of the pandemic, many people experienced the inconvenience of not being able to head to the doctor’s office and having to struggle with adapting to the new “normal” of video calling doctors. Not to forget the fact that hospitals were overcrowded, and vaccines weren’t developed yet. As an individual who has contributed and is still contributing to the medical field, I truly believe that the power of technology will improve healthcare access, cost and assist in solving unmet medical needs. I recently came across an article from Humanitas University, 10 Ways Technology is Changing Healthcare by their Medical Science Department and I could not agree more with how evolutionary technology will be when it is incorporated into the medical industry.
“Digital technology in healthcare and medicine could potentially transform inappropriate healthcare systems into appropriate ones, provide cheaper, faster, and more effective solutions for diseases (such as Ebola or AIDS), and equalize the relationship between professionals and medical patients.”
With today’s technological development, medicine and procedures in healthcare are taking it to a new level. It is imperative to begin accepting technological changes that will help improve our health and have an open mindset toward these ideas.
Below are the 10 ways technology is changing healthcare.
- Artificial Intelligence
“With the ability to mine medical records, AI algorithms can design treatment plans, develop drugs quicker than any current doctor, and even diagnose cancerous and noncancerous tissue samples.”
2. Virtual Reality
“The use of VR is used in many situations, from training future surgeons and for qualified surgeons to practice operations.”
Not only will VR be able to help relax a patient (for example a patient who is giving birth will be given VR headsets to allow them to visualize a soothing landscape) but also provides hypothetical scenarios to students in training, helping them be prepared for any possible emergencies that require them to think on their feet.
3. Augmented Reality
“For medical professionals, it could aid medical students to better prepare for real-life operations, as well as allowing existing surgeons to improve their capabilities.”
Instead of having students work on an actual patient, AR would be able to lay out a digitized display of a human for the student to work on. Reducing the risk for a patient and a student in training. Practice makes perfect, so better practice on something that will help you than traumatize you.
4. Healthcare trackers, wearables, and sensors
“Patients have the ability to track their health at home and share the results remotely with their doctor. The devices empower the individual to make more informed decisions and take control of their health.”
5. Medical tricorder
With the advancement in healthcare technologies, we now live in a world where one device has three (or more!) functionality.
“One such gadget is the palm-sized Viatom CheckMe Pro, which can measure heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, ECG, oxygen saturation, and more”
6. Genome sequencing
“One can learn valuable information about drug sensitivities, monogenic or multifactorial medical conditions, and even family history. Furthermore, many fields are using the advantages of genome sequencing, such as nutrigenomics, the field that merges dietetics, nutrition, and genomics.”
7. Revolutionizing drug development
“Companies such as Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Deep Genomics, and Turbine are using the strength of AI to create new drug candidates and therapeutic solutions at a fraction of the normal cost and in record time.”
In search of medicine that has few side effects and works the same as the medicine that has a stronger component, can be difficult and time-consuming. With technology that has millions of data stored in it, it will take less than the time you were researching for and provide you with the options that are fit for your condition.
8. Nanotechnology
“We could see nanoparticles and nanodevices operating as accurate drug delivery systems, tiny surgeons, or cancer treatment tools in the near future.”
With nanotechnology, it will be easier to collect liquid samples such as blood and DNA samples in a less intrusive way. Especially for those that shiver at the sight of blood and faint at the thought of needles.
9. Robotics
“Robot developments range from disinfectant robots or exoskeletons right through to surgical robots and pharmabotics.”
Having robotics helps reduce the problem of short-staffed, overworked staff and overcrowded hospital concerns. Not only will they be able to help out in the hospital, but physically helping the elderly and children as well by being a companion and assisting their medical condition.
10. 3D-printing
“Bringing a world of wonders in all aspects of healthcare is 3D-printing. The list is growing with printing available for blood vessels, artificial limbs, bio tissues, and pills, and will likely continue to grow.”
My vision and mission are to make healthcare broadly accessible to all, so what better way than technology that reduces processing time, get a quicker response from professionals, and relieving patients’ worries? All thanks to the advancement of technology, now we are able to do that and possibly even more in the future to come. “The mission is to share the developments and knowledge in medicine that will push us into the future of healthcare.”
Click here to read the full article.
https://www.hunimed.eu/news/10-ways-technology-is-changing-healthcare/
