Technology has come a long way in the last decade and is rapidly changing the world of medicine. Digital innovations in healthcare combined with new technology are here to stay.
In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the trends in medical technology and what the future holds!
The Biggest Areas Technology Is Influencing in the World of Medicine
1. Heart Failure
One of the most commonly diagnosed conditions, and also the most expensive to diagnose, is that of heart failure. Current estimates put the number of people over 20 suffering from heart failure in the United States at almost 6.5 million people, with almost 1 million new cases added every year.
New technological improvements in digital sensors, including wristbands, necklaces, and watches, provide greater insight into heart failure. Early diagnosis of heart failure could significantly improve people’s chances of living a longer life.
2. 3D Printing
The field of 3D printing is exciting for two reasons.
First, the 3D printing of organs, bones, body parts, and tissue. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant in the United States every day. Not only that, but the number of people waiting on the organ transplant list has doubled while the number of organ donors has remained the same. 3D printing of organs and tissue could reduce the burden on organ donors and reduce the number of people waiting for organ transplants.
Secondly, the 3D printing of pharmaceutical medicines. Through new additive layering technology, drugs can now be printed using 3D printing technology. The advantages of 3D printing pharmaceuticals include personalized medications, which we spoke about previously, and also the ability to add QR codes to pills which give patients greater access to information and also allow for tracking of pharmaceuticals to prevent counterfeit medicines from entering the market.
3. Mobile Applications and Telehealth
There is an application for almost anything, including health and wellness, telehealth appointments, and even for doctors and healthcare professionals. More than ever before, we are wired to the internet through our phones, and if the Covid-19 pandemic had one positive effect, it was promoting and improving telehealth services.
Apps like Doctor On Demand, Teladoc, and Heal are all designed to allow patients to connect with doctors and healthcare professionals online or virtually.
4. Remote Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) will vary from condition to condition with different devices. Still, RPM allows many people to accurately monitor their conditions without having to visit their doctor or hospital, which frees up valuable space in the healthcare industry.
Some examples of how remote patient monitoring technology is used include:
Bluetooth glucose meters for people that are dealing with diabetes.
Heart rate monitors and blood pressure monitors.
Surveillance monitors help track patients with dementia if they leave their residence or send an alert to assist if they have a fall.
Infertility treatments and monitoring.
Testing at home for patients with addiction issues.
Caloric intake for those that need to monitor their diet.
5. Improved Communication Between Patients and Healthcare Providers
Communication is critical in almost every industry, especially the healthcare industry. Patients want to speak with their doctors more often, and they want that communication to be faster and more accessible.
Digital and online communication through patient portals and applications make answering simple questions faster and easier than ever before, which frees up more time for doctors to see other patients with more urgent care issues and frees up space in an overburdened health industry.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medicine
Technology is moving at an ever-increasing speed. In the last year, we’ve seen the use of AI programs enter various industries. For example, we’re already seeing AI used in many administrative roles throughout the healthcare industry in seemingly mundane tasks such as data entry, appointment scheduling, and claims processing.
Healthcare sectors globally are still dealing with the fallout of the pandemic and already overstressed healthcare systems. However, technological advances are continually evolving to help try and ease the pressure on these systems and ensure that the people who need the most urgent care are getting the help they need.
Laxxon Medical is dedicated to engineering patented 3D pharmaceutical solutions which optimize products and benefit patients. Our goal is to establish SPID®-Technology as a manufacturing process that has the individual and the pharmaceutical partner in mind.