8 Technology Megatrends for Healthcare In 2020
Healthcare has evolved drastically with the inclusion of the internet and technology in our daily lives. The health digital industry is expected to reach $200 billion in the year 2020, and healthcare companies are including technology in their operations. Not only have the operations been made efficient, but the tiresome processes are now automated with the help of technology as well.
Healthcare expos and leading events around the globe help people understand the latest trends in the health industry and the inclusion of technology in the health industry. Let's take a look at some of the leading healthcare trends in 2020:
1.Telemedicine
Telemedicine has drastically improved the healthcare industry and has helped in evolving healthcare practices. Telemedicine makes medicine more accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective for people. Essentially, telemedicine believes in using technology to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. For example, patients can use video conferencing to consult with their physician or use monitoring devices to record the data of chronic diseases such as blood pressure, among other things. There are several apps and websites facilitating telemedicine where the user has to install the app on his phone and get started with a few clicks.
2.Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT has revolutionized the healthcare industry as well. IoT enabled apps and devices are now used in tracking and monitoring of patient symptoms and behaviors, which has made the medicine more efficient. As a result of combing the technology of IoT and telemedicine along with telehealth, experts have come up with the Internet of Medical Things, which includes tracking devices for the patients. Internet of Medical Things is helping automate the processes, so things don't have to be conducted manually. The technology is used for ECG, EKG tracking as well as several other things, including temperature and glucose check. This is exceptionally useful for chronic patients; not only does it maintain perfect records automatically, but it has also reduced the cost of healthcare dramatically as well.
3.VR In Healthcare
Virtual reality has made medicine more efficient in various ways, including better diagnosis and efficient teaching. Diverse interactions are now possible only due to the inclusion of VR in medicine. Dementia to cognitive impairment patients is now also treated using VR technology.
Augmented reality has also helped medical professionals perform their procedures swiftly. The intuitive procedure lets people render 3D information into the real world, which can let the medical professionals perform better. It is also expected that medicine would be one of the most prominent aspects of the future of augmented reality.
4.Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is broadly used in several aspects of daily life and is now making its mark in the field of medicine as well. Machines are now capable of decision making to some extent and can perform automated tasks perfectly, which not only saves time and let humans focus on other critical aspects, but is also speeding up the processes as well.
AI applications are now more accurate and precise in terms of calculation and monitoring. Machine learning is also used in early diagnosis and treatments. Through artificial intelligence, high-quality images are processed by the machines for further diagnostics.
5.Chatbots
As a result of technological advancements, telemedicine is now using chatbots to assist patients and guide them. Chatbots are being used to facilitate digital communication in almost every industry, including marketing, cleaning , information technology, and now medicine. Every small and large virtual business, along with the healthcare industry, is using chatbots to increase the promptness of their response and guide users more efficiently. In healthcare, chatbots are integrated into the healthcare apps to help patients take medicine on time, log and analyze their symptoms, and answer their questions.
6.Data Science
The advancements in data science and predictive analysis have helped healthcare in several ways. Previously all the data was recorded manually, and doctors had to go through the history of a patient manually. With the help of data science, all the history is recorded in once place, which is easily used to make a diagnosis. Data science has helped the medical workers to get a greater and in-depth insight into each patient's medical history. The information available can help doctors determine the environment of the patient as well as relevant information that can also help in proactive medical treatments.
7.Blockchain
Interoperability is improving with the introduction and inclusion of blockchain technology. As healthcare goes online, the billions of gigabytes of healthcare data becomes vulnerable hence necessitating security.
With the advancement in digital transformation in the health industry, data protection, and transmission of information with integrity is a core challenge that needs to be addressed. Block-chain based systems provide authenticity and fair exchange of information, which further solves issues such as misuse of important data or counterfeiting of healthcare supplies.
The data of a patient that is present in the records must always be accessed by authorized people only and through secure systems to ensure safety. Block-chain technology is helping the healthcare industry in the security and protection of available data.
8.Consumerism
Healthcare consumerism has evolved significantly in the past few years. Previously, consumerism involved checking the blood pressure, sugar levels, temperature, etc. However, now the consumer is much more aware of what is happening due to the internet, devices, and apps that let you connect and inform about several medical aspects.
According to Ferris W. Taylor, HealthCare Executive Group executive director, over the past five years or so, the focus on digital technology has evolved consumerism as people are now exposed to the readily available information. The information present on the internet has helped in awareness and an increased set of knowledge. As per research, by the year 2022, 67 million or 25.3 percent of the population would own healthcare wearable that can help them track and monitor their health, reducing the frequent hospital visits.
Conclusion
All in all, technology advancements have helped the medical industry evolve and will continue to do so in the coming year. With every new advancement in information technology, healthcare processes are becoming easier and automated every day.