Future Predictions About Healthcare Technology

What is Healthcare Technology?

Technology in healthcare commonly referred to as ‘health tech,’ implies the use of new technology in health care for improving some or overall aspects of the healthcare system. Healthcare IT technology gives insights into new technologies in the medical field and provides updates about new technologies in healthcare. The current US health industry is faced with cost problems and is finding ways to implement new healthcare technologies. That’s why technology for healthcare is gaining increasing importance. Tech in healthcare integrates technology-infused tools in each step of the healthcare experience to determine quality and efficiency.

Healthcare information technology is the future of medical care, and much can be learned from the latest health and technology news. Technologies in healthcare apply knowledge and skills in the form of tools and devices and new innovations for resolving healthcare challenges. The main purpose of technology in healthcare is to improve health centers’ productivity, manage staff and operational processes, and enhance access to quality healthcare. With healthcare technology, the medical sector can deal with or improve ongoing issues such as high costs, long waiting times, and limited access to insurance, and healthcare providers.

Latest Trends in Healthcare Technology

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the US and global medical sector in 2020. The healthcare technology trends indicate a slow, but ongoing growth and innovation in the health sector. Technological trends in healthcare are marked by advances such as AI and digital technology to deal with crises and improve virtual care. Telemedicine, mobile health, virtual conferencing, and the Internet of medical things (IoMT) are emerging healthcare technology trends. Health technology trends of 2020 also observed an increase in healthcare wearables and sensors, cloud computing, big data, and predictive analysis.

These digital healthcare trends highlights that the healthcare industry is adapting to the changing environment to provide better care to patients. In the year 2020, the US and global healthcare industry faced new challenges but these were also accompanied by new technology for healthcare. Tech predictions suggest that health care technology advances will continue in 2021. Let’s have a look at the technology trends in healthcare and the latest health technologies.

1. Artificial Intelligence 

Regarding future advancements in healthcare technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing rapidly, with a projected value of $148.4 billion by 2029. This growth is largely driven by the availability of vast healthcare and technology data sets, which can revolutionize the industry through AI-driven solutions. Key applications include analyzing medical images using AI algorithms, using AI-powered Clinical Decision Support Systems for patient data assessment, and running AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants.

2. EHR and Interoperability

EHR systems streamline the storage, retrieval, and sharing of health information among healthcare providers by providing a centralized database accessible to all professionals. They generate valuable healthcare technology solutions that can be analyzed to identify trends, track population health metrics, and improve healthcare data technology. Efficient EHR development will prevent healthcare costs wasted due to clunky administration and mediocre care facilities. By providing centralized patient data and improving information management, EHRs promise more efficiency in healthcare and technology, reduced redundancy, and better clinical decisions and healthcare interoperability solutions. 

3. Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring

The pandemic has significantly accelerated the emerging technology in healthcare including the adoption of telemedicine, with an 82% consumer adoption rate and breaking geographical barriers in medical health technology. This has enabled remote patients to consult with specialists, breaking geographical barriers. Remote patient monitoring, an extension of this trend, is a game-changer for managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, enabling proactive care through regular data transmission to healthcare providers.

4. Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics uses data analysis to predict health outcomes, enhancing efficiency, personalized care, and technology advancement in healthcare. However, balancing data use with privacy concerns remains a delicate task that requires constant attention, as it is crucial for ensuring patient safety and enabling secure and functional healthcare technology integration. 

5. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is expected to proliferate in the coming years, involving digital health trends that offer significant benefits in medical technology development and potential savings of billions. Companies offering IoMT solutions can assist in designing and tuning systems using sophisticated custom software. The IoMT’s projected value of around $960.2 billion by 2030 will open new possibilities for patient engagement and healthcare technology software solutions.

6. Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology, often linked to cryptocurrencies, holds significant potential in future medical technology. It can ensure secure patient data sharing among authorized professionals, a crucial aspect of managing pharmaceutical supply chains and ensuring clinical trial integrity, with various applications and impacts.

7. Health Trackers and Wearables

Health trackers and wearables have revolutionized healthcare information technology trends by providing real-time health and lifestyle insights. These devices, like smartwatches and fitness bands, monitor physiological parameters like heart rate, sleep patterns, and stress levels. Health trackers enable remote patient monitoring, particularly for chronic diseases, allowing early detection of health deterioration and timely interventions. Wearables with advanced sensors and AI algorithms can also aid in disease detection, monitoring recovery progress, and optimizing rehabilitation programs. This advancement by healthcare technology developers has led to reduced hospitalizations and improved overall health outcomes.

8. Precision Medicine and Genomics

Personalized medicine, driven by genomics, is revolutionizing the technology trend in healthcare by shifting from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized approach that considers patients’ genetics, lifestyle, and environmental data. This approach by healthcare technology experts ensures accurate diagnostics and treatment efficiency, reduces side effects, and focuses on individual variables. Precision informatics technologies will be secure, interoperable, and cater to various diagnostic patterns, benefiting service providers, payers, pharmaceutical firms, and other interested parties. This shift towards personalized medicine is expected to lead to more effective treatments and fewer side effects.

9. Symptom Checker Chatbots

Chatbots are AI-based computer applications that conduct human-like conversations using voice, text, or option-based input. They are increasingly popular in healthcare and medical consulting, offering 24/7 online or mobile access for preliminary medical diagnostics and health advice based on patient inputs and complaints. Chatbots can be integrated with custom patient portals for hospitals and clinics, helping patients address their health conditions and concerns. When human medical assistants are unavailable, enabling this technology in hospitals can be very beneficial for the staff as well as the patients. 

10. 3D Printing

3D printing has significantly impacted patient care, medical research, and healthcare technology services. It enables the creation of accurate anatomical models based on patient-specific imaging data, such as CT scans and MRI scans. These models aid surgeons in preoperative planning, improving surgical success rates, and reducing operating time. 3D printing is also transforming surgical guides and implants, as it creates patient-specific guides and implants tailored to individual anatomies. Surgical guides provide customized templates for bone cutting or implant placement, while implant designs match the patient’s anatomy, resulting in improved functionality and aesthetics.

11. Robotics for Surgical Procedures

Robotics in surgical procedures involves advanced robotic systems that assist surgeons in performing precise and intricate interventions. These systems consist of robotic arms, surgical instruments, a high-definition camera, and a console. The use of robotics offers several advantages over traditional techniques, including minimally invasive procedures, less tissue trauma, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster patient recovery times. The evolution of robotics in surgery has led to significant advancements in surgical techniques and other healthcare technology developments.

12. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality( AR)

The emerging trends in healthcare technology systems are leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to enhance medical education and patient care. VR and AR are commonly used in medical training and education, providing simulations for medical students and professionals to practice surgical procedures and patient interactions in a risk-free setting. AR applications enable healthcare providers to overlay digital anatomical structures onto patients’ bodies, aiding in surgical planning, patient education, and understanding of complex medical conditions.

Top 5 Future Estimations for the Healthcare Technology

1. Patient First Approach

Patient First is a program to Develop healthcare IT Solutions for educating patients about healthcare. Patient First aims to educate patients and make their user-experience easy through responsive innovations in health and technology. Patients can learn about potential health concerns, the risk factors, and what they can do to deal with such issues. The Patient First Approach aimed at making people self-aware and motivated towards healthcare will continue to trend in 2021. It includes all the latest healthcare technologies, such as patient engagement, mHealth solutions, and UI/UX platforms that are user-friendly. Online health insurance technology is also available from 2020, and it will also be popular in 2021.

2. Better Remote Patient Monitoring

Since 2020, the association of technology and healthcare has seen a rise in virtual healthcare, which means more online appointments, real-time televisits, and remote care. Physicians would need to monitor vitals and keep track of health conditions of the patients. This can be achieved easily by remote patient monitoring (RPM). RPM tools include internet-based devices such as health bands, blood pressure cuffs, blood-oxygen sensors, IoT glucose meters, and IoT thermometers. Real-time data can be collected through these devices, which the physicians can receive and interpret online.  

3. Health Equity

One of the important focus areas of technology in healthcare today is health equity. Health equity means eliminating unfair and avoidable differences in health among population groups based on social, economic, demographic, or geographic factors. Disparities in health care access due to race, ethnicity, and geography increased during the pandemic in 2020. The emphasis on the social determinants of health and diversity equity and inclusion is expected to rise in 2021. The need for new technology in healthcare also grew rapidly. Health technology news reported that health equity would continue to gain major attention in 2021. As per the tech predictions for 2021, providers, suppliers, and payers will invest time in addressing health equity to provide better health accessible to everyone.

4. Data Sharing and Interoperability

2021 may possibly deal with more data in 2020 due to the tests and results of COVID-19 vaccines. Interoperability would be extremely important in healthcare tech this year and a major priority. Data sharing and interoperability will be integrated into the ongoing advancements in the US health industry’s IT infrastructure. Thus, we can anticipate that integrated care services will be more accessible in 2021 because of the newest health care technology and improved and secure data sharing and interoperability systems.

5. Telemedicine for Mental Health Care

Studies in US tech and health have revealed that more than half of the USA’s adult population suffers from mental conditions but are unable to receive treatment. Real-time care access was a major concern in 2020 when the world faced a pandemic situation, and health access was limited. Telemedicine soared high in 2020 and is likely to be a popular technology for health in 2021. Telemedicine applications can provide easy access to quality care, which would greatly serve the US’s mental health sector. Physicians can conduct counseling sessions or therapy through new technologies in healthcare like video-conferencing and can contact patients through the chatbox feature. Telehealth technology is a convenient and accessible way for patients with mental illness to receive quality care anytime from anywhere.

What does Technology hold for the Healthcare Industry?

The future of technology in healthcare is promising due to the technological advancements in healthcare, focusing on increased accessibility, efficiency, and patient-centered care. However, challenges like ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and healthcare disparities should also be addressed. Skilled professionals with expertise in AI, analytics, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance are essential for developing, implementing, and maintaining cutting-edge medical technology systems. Promoting integrative collaboration between tech experts and healthcare professionals is crucial for ensuring maximum impact and navigating the complexities of these health information technology trends.

Conclusion

With the technology predictions for 2021 in mind, we can estimate that the US health centers will have all the technology needed. As per the predictions in technology, the healthcare industry will continue to see advancements in technology. If you wonder where healthcare is going in 2021, let us tell you that remote patient care and communication will gain the most attention. Remote patient monitoring and virtual care will gain importance, and more healthcare organizations will implement tech-driven initiatives.  

References

https://builtin.com/healthcare-technology
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/11/23/the-5-biggest-healthcare-trends-in-2021-everyone-should-be-ready-for-today/?sh=530c5c3121c0
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/7-predictions-for-how-technology-will-shape-healthcare-in-2021/
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/10-fascinating-healthcare-technology-trends-for-2021/ https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/2021-healthcare-trends-to-watch
https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/strategy/business-group-health-5-healthcare-trends-follow-2021
https://www.healthitoutcomes.com/doc/the-role-of-telemedicine-in-mental-health-0001
https://mobisoftinfotech.com/resources/blog/telemedicine-for-mental-health/