The health industry has come a long way in terms of progress and development. Think of the advancement in telemedicine, new methods in drug formulation, and big data and 5G-enabled devices in healthcare. Also, consider the use of nanomedicine, tricorders, smart pacemakers, and wearables.
The COVID-19 crisis has further accelerated the use of digital tools and technologies in the medical field. The pandemic has led health professionals and medical facilities to adopt new methods and use new tools to cope with the pandemic. Many patients worldwide have heavily relied on these tools and technologies, thus greatly benefiting from them.
That said, here are the top technological trends in the medical field that have arisen during the pandemic:
1. Telehealth
The use of telehealth is nothing new. However, it has become all the more prevalent during the pandemic. As we avoid getting the COVID-19 infection, many patients have resorted to telehealth. Thanks to the use of the internet and the advancement in communications, it has become plausible. Think of virtual medical consultation, home diagnosis, and remote patient monitoring (RPM). Telehealth has become such a valuable resource in providing access to essential health services during this pandemic.
2. Cancer Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has become such a game-changer in the medical field, especially during this pandemic. It has become instrumental in treating illnesses that used to be terminal or diseases that used to be incurable. Thanks to technological advancements and medical breakthroughs, cancer immunotherapy has become possible. It works by changing a patient’s cells and working with the immune system to combat cancer cells in the body. Ultimately, immunotherapy can indeed save millions of lives suffering from cancer.
3. Personalized Medicine
Personalized medicine has become apparent in recent years. But it has all the more intensified during this pandemic. The need for personalized medicine is especially true in biotechnology and pharmacology. For instance, pharmacogenomics has gradually taken ground in addressing the opiate crisis in the U.S. As such, health professionals study the patients’ responses to different medications. They then provide these patients with personalized regimens for medical treatments.
4. Robotic Surgery
There’s no denying how robotics has become beneficial in the medical field. Yes, it has been making a significant impact in the health industry since the 1980s. However, it is only recently that we’ve seen tremendous progress and development. Thanks to digital solutions and technological innovations, robotic surgery has become plausible. What’s good about robotic surgery is it’s minimally invasive, more accurate, and less susceptible to infection. And it will continue to develop in the years to come.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
When it comes to digital tools and technologies, AI tops the list in various industries. And the use of AI applies to the medical field as well. The health industry is dealing with a massive amount of data and information. It’s best to incorporate AI and human intervention to make medical processes and applications more efficient, accurate, and seamless. A perfect example is the processes in medical imaging. After a patient undergoes an open MRI scan, the data immediately gets stored and interpreted by a physician. That way, the patient can get the proper medical treatments or procedures right away.
6. Extended Reality (ER)
Extended reality includes both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Both technologies have become beneficial in different industries. The medical field is no exception. For one, ER provides simulated and hybrid environments that significantly assist in medical education. It can offer immersive experiences that help medical students have proper training. Even when it comes to research and development (R&D), the use of ER proves to be beneficial in exploring and discovering medical breakthroughs. Ultimately, it helps in medical processes and applications, such as pre-procedural planning and cardiac interventions.
7. Blockchain Technology
As mentioned above, the medical sector deals with a massive amount of data and information. However, the industry must not lose data and information to unscrupulous individuals. Unfortunately, the healthcare industry suffers the highest cost for data breaches among various sectors. That is where blockchain technology comes into the picture. Not only does it secure healthcare data and information, but it also removes the middlemen in the medical field. As a result, it helps both the providers and patients in saving costs.
The health industry has undergone a digital transformation and technological advancements. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has found ways and means to cope with the pandemic situations. We’ve seen the rise of technological trends in the medical field, from telehealth to robotic surgery down to blockchain technology. Not only do they assist health professionals and medical facilities, but they also significantly help in treating patients and saving lives.
