From home-based care models to robots, the past decade’s wave of innovation is here to stay. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some permanent and unexpected changes to healthcare delivery. Technology-driven health tech trends have been diverted this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of research across medicine, social care, vaccines, and environmental health has been shifted to tackling the current crisis.
In 2020, every business empowered their tech as data and computing became essential to everything we do. In 2021 and years to come, every company will have to focus on healthcare, as safeguarding the employees and customers will become the core business requirement. AI, IoT, and virtual & augmented reality are the emerging tech trends for 2021 and beyond.
1. Augmented and Virtual Reality
Viewing real-life spaces using digital enhancements and being immersed in a virtual world is no longer just a game. With the help of specially designed software and headsets, medical professionals are researching broader uses of augmented and virtual reality.
The integration of augmented and virtual reality into health care includes distraction for pain management, supplemental clinical experiences for nursing students, viewing images with a new and detailed perspective, and lifelike surgical training programs, and
VR is also gaining traction in senior care communities. There are avatar-led chat rooms and virtual travel that are not only a fun element for the elderly but these memory-triggering and engaging encounters are also highly therapeutic. This technology has opened up a new and exciting world for seniors during quarantine.
2. Telemedicine
The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of telehealth resources. Most people today prefer telehealth methods rather than in-person visits. One of the significant advantages of healthcare technology over in-person is that it reduces the contact between patients and healthcare workers and patients with other patients having contagious diseases.
Wearable devices have enabled healthcare workers to track the health of their patients and get real-time information while remaining at home. The pandemic was a major boost to telehealth’s development, and one of the most important aspects of its success is patient adoption. As most patients ate comfortable with telehealth solutions, it predicts that telehealth has a strong future.
Telemedicine apps are the most powerful telehealth services. These apps have useful features like text and video chat, file transfer, and screen sharing. These apps are integrated with Electronic Health Records (EHR), allowing healthcare providers to track patients’ medical reports in the app. Apple HealthKit and Google Fit integration enable the app to access the available health information on the patient’s smartphone.
3. AI and IoMT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) with decision-making and information processing similar to humans improves precision, efficiency, and speed of diagnosis in telehealth. Through AI-driven analytics, early treatment can be achieved, helping healthcare providers find the right approach for patients. Drug development can be improved through machine learning algorithms, and it will help bring new pharmaceuticals to market quicker.
Machine learning can predict mental health trends and understand the big picture of mental well-being. Chatbot technology is another machine learning application. This technology can assist doctors in diagnosing patients and help patients in self-diagnosis.
- Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a relatively new technology that emerged by combining telemedicine and telehealth technologies with IoT. It involves the use of a number of wearables, including EKG monitors and ECG. This technology can also take other common medical measurements like glucose level, blood pressure readings, and skin temperature.
4. Conclusion
Health tech ranges from systems, procedures, and devices to medications and vaccines that reduce the costs for patients and hospitals, streamline operations, and deliver high-quality care. Innovations help improve the efficiency and quality of care, treatment options, develop new therapeutic approaches, drugs and even predict the onset of the epidemic. From adhesive bandages to advanced solutions such as robotics, emerging tech trends in healthcare contribute to improved public health and better patient outcomes.
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