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The popularity of technologies like the IoT and AI has exploded in recent years. The medical field has a long history of being at the forefront of technological innovation. Thus, it was not surprising that this sector was the first to embrace these new developments. Take a look at these seven ways cutting-edge technology is changing the medical field.
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1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to alter the healthcare industry completely. After they have been mined, medical records, treatment plans, new medications, and diagnoses of carcinogenic and noncancerous cell samples may all be developed by AI algorithms.
2. Virtual Reality
Both doctors and patients benefit from the advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology. In the future, you could witness operations as if you were wielding the scalpel while in a hospital bed or at home.
Virtual reality (VR) is utilized for various purposes, including but not limited to teaching aspiring surgeons and allowing experienced ones to hone their skills through practice.
3. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is distinct from virtual reality (VR) since it does not require users to disconnect from the actual world to access information completely. Because of these distinguishing qualities, AR is quickly becoming the driving factor in the healthcare community, both for patients and for doctors.
This technology has the potential to help the medical community in several ways, including the education of future surgeons and the enhancement of the skills of practicing physicians. Students of medicine now have access to electronic anatomical models that are both detailed and accurate, eliminating the necessity for cadavers in the classroom.
4. Wearables, Healthcare Trackers, and Sensors
Better self-care through wearables, health monitors, and sensors is closely related to future medicine and healthcare development. These gadgets are fantastic because they increase our health literacy and empower us to make better decisions.
Patients can keep tabs on their health from home and report any changes to their physician via secure messaging. These tools put the individual in charge of their health and allow them to make better decisions.
5. Medical Tricorder
In a perfect world, doctors and nurses only need to rely on a single, unparalleled tool. The system must be able to analyze and diagnose any illness. Maybe these goods aren’t quite as advanced as a tricorder from Star Trek, but we’ll get there eventually.
Microscopes with impressive magnification will be paired with cellphones to analyze skin lesions captured in photos and swabs. It might be equipped with sensors that detect protein and antibody abnormalities or detect DNA mutations.
6. Genome Sequencing
DNA sequencing is invaluable for gaining insight into drug sensitivities, monogenic and multifactorial diseases, and even family background. Additionally, numerous disciplines are using genome sequencing’s benefits, including nutrigenomics, which combines dietetics, genomics, and nutrition.
Start-ups like Habits in California provide genetic coding-based dietary recommendations. The genetic test offered by Atlas Biomed is very informative. It analyzes to provide genuine, actionable results, but it might be challenging to comprehend. It keeps track of vitamin levels, intolerances, and potential health problems. The data can be utilized for foresight management.
7. Remote Patient Monitoring
This subset of telehealth enables people to collect patient-generated health data (PGHD) via mobile medical devices and technology, which may then be transmitted to healthcare providers. Heart rate, weight, vital signs, and blood pressure are some common physiological parameters that can be gathered with RPM software.
After being gathered, patient information is transmitted to a doctor’s office via a specialized software application or telehealth computer system running on a personal computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Patients needing long-term, post-discharge, or senior care usually benefit from Remote Patient Monitoring software. Linking high-risk individuals with remote monitoring allows healthcare providers to be notified of any developing problems or to keep tabs on patient data in-between office visits.
8. Robotics
One of the most intriguing and rapidly expanding areas of medicine is automation. Disinfectant robots, exoskeletons, surgical robots, and pharmabots are just some of the recent advances in the realm of robots.
As a category, exoskeletons had an outstanding year in 2019. A tetraplegic man underwent the first exoskeleton-assisted surgery and can now operate the exoskeleton with his thoughts alone. These robots have a wide range of potential uses, from assisting with the lifting of older patients and medical aid to helping those with spinal cord injuries.
Robots are employed in healthcare to assist children with chronic illnesses, and they are also utilized to treat mental health issues and isolation.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to advances in technology, we are currently experiencing a medical revolution. The goal is to spread medical breakthroughs and new insights to advance healthcare.
