The medical field thrives on precision, reliability, and efficiency. Therefore, inventors work hard each day to make medical devices through processes such as laser drilling. Besides, with the advancement in technology, there has been a rise in technologies to improve the healthcare system like Pharmaceutical industries, They use automated Electronic Batch Records to ensure compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices. Similarly, These are some of the emerging trends in medical technologies.
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1. Electronic Health Records
Electronic health records enhance the doctor-patient interaction, leading to better healthcare delivery. With EHR, both the doctor and the patient can access information such as diagnostics and previous prescriptions with ease. Besides, by reducing paperwork, electronic health records help conserve the environment. Also, patients don’t have to worry about misplaced papers.
2. Telehealth
In the wake of the internet, one can get almost anything they want just by a few clicks, without leaving their homes’ comfort. Healthcare has been no different. Through various communication technologies, patients can access health care services remotely. Virtual healthcare is incredibly helpful to people in remote and isolated areas, anytime.
3. Health Tracking Apps
These health tracking applications not only benefit the patients but the caregivers as well. Through the applications, patients can track specific metrics such as their blood pressure and sleep duration accurately. These apps make it incredibly convenient, as opposed to manually filling forms.
On the other hand, caregivers can use the data collected on these apps to give personalized healthcare to patients. These applications can also send reminders to users, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been rising in popularity over the recent past in various industries. Similarly, technology is also finding its way into healthcare, with a significant impact. A good example is a robot in China that passed the medical licensing exam in 2017. Besides, these intelligent robots can navigate through hospital corridors to deliver medical supplies.
Another exciting breakthrough with artificial intelligence in healthcare is diagnosis. AI algorithms can accurately diagnose various diseases within no time. Other uses of artificial intelligence include drug discovery and virtual health assistants.
5. Predictive Analytics
Patients, especially ones with chronic diseases, can generate a lot of information. However, putting all the data together to determine a pattern can be a challenge. Thanks to data science and predictive analytics, healthcare givers can quickly get insights from a patient’s information. For instance, a doctor can simply input a patient’s medical history information into a system and get an accurate profile. Using the data, it becomes easier to diagnose problems and address their root cause early enough. Besides, the information can predict a person’s likelihood to contract certain conditions.
6. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Although both AR and VR have been used in healthcare for quite a long time, they have rapidly grown in popularity in the recent past. Since augmented reality overlays and displays real-time data and media, it can be used to improve safety in healthcare. It can also be used during major operations.
On the other hand, virtual reality creates a simulation of the real world. Therefore, VR can be used to train health practitioners, as well as patients. Doctors can also use VR to distract patients from pain during treatment sessions.
7. Blockchain
Both doctors and patients stand to gain from blockchain technologies. With the healthcare system adopting electronic health records, challenges like data security and privacy are inevitable. However, blockchain addresses these challenges by distributing transaction records through a system with a shared digital ledger, with the patient at the center of it all.
In blockchain technology, a single transaction can be thought of as a block, while the ledger links them together in the chain. Blockchain technologies protect patients’ data from theft or altercations. Besides, blockchain technologies enhance interoperability and anonymity.
With these revolutionizing medical technologies, healthcare organizations can provide superior, safer, and quality healthcare services efficiently. These technologies can also meet the increasing demand for convenient healthcare while reducing the doctor’s workload. These technologies can also be used in research.