Over the years, the healthcare industry has seen drastic changes in terms of patient delivery and telemedicine. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the procedure of the healthcare industry. Several healthcare experts and organizations have transformed their procedures and are going along with digitization.
After the pandemic, healthcare professionals want to improve their patient delivery experience and healthcare services. They are using a digital dashboard as a digital assistant and helping healthcare experts keep a better record of patients, appointments, and other contacts. Alternatively, telemedicine is a great tool and helping professionals during the pandemic.
The health IT industry is growing slowly and becoming innovative in several ways. To better understand what healthcare is and where it is going, it is important to know the healthcare IT trends and their impact on the industry. The
healthcare trends like chatbots and blockchain have changed the industry a lot in the last few years.
Let us see the healthcare IT 2021 trends that every healthcare organization should look forward to for delivering accurate results.
1. 3D Bioprinting
It is the utilization of 3D printing techniques to fabricate biomedical parts to imitate natural tissue characteristics. It uses the layer-by-layer method to deposit materials to create tissue-like structures that can be used in tissue engineering fields.
In simple words, it is a form of additive manufacturing and uses biocompatible materials, which are also known as bio-inks. Bioprinted structures like organ-on-a-chip are used to study functions of the human body in 3D. You can find several applications of 3D bioprinting in the medical field.
It can be used to reconstruct tissue from the organs of the body. This advanced technology can be applied to skin and muscle tissue. The demand for bioprinting is increasing day by day. Over 120,000 patients in the US alone are waiting for organs and are experiencing other chronic problems due to the damaging effects of post-transplant immunosuppression. 3D bioprinting offers everything at a lower cost with better results. This technology is extremely effective in studying diseases like cancer and tumor.
2. Nanomedicine
It is the medical application of nanotechnology. Nanomedicine is essential to integrate complex datasets at the nano level. It delivers a set of valuable research tools and useful devices in need. The application of nanomedicine involves nanoparticles to enhance the action of drugs in treatment. It is applicable for drugs that are absorbed quickly and removed from the body as waste. According to reports, in 2015, Nanomedicine sales reached $15 billion, with a minimum of $4 billion invested in nanotechnology R$D.
Nanotechnology is applied to diagnostics because of its structural properties of nanomaterials, which make them suitable for tumor detection. Also, nanorobots are useful in monitoring diseases and drug delivery after being injected into the patient’s bloodstream. Its market’s global dosage is expected to grow from $100 billion in 2016 to $200 billion by 2023.
3. Cloud Computing
With cloud computing, healthcare providers are gaining easy access to patient data collected from several sources. It is also reducing the distance between the specialists and allowing them to give their opinions irrespective of locations. Furthermore, there is no extra cost associated with cloud computing. You only have to pay for the resources you are using, and thus, it saves costs.
Cloud computing allows patients to control and to check their health. It enhances patient participation and leads to informed decisions. Additionally, the data redundancy is reduced with an increased system time. Patients’ records and other images associated with the disease can be accessed when stored in the cloud. The use of cloud computing in healthcare can enhance several health-related functions like post-hospitalization plans and telemedicine. Here are other
benefits of having HIS on the cloud.
4. Genomics
It is the field of biology that focuses on the function, structure, and editing of genomes. It is a complete set of DNA, including genes. Genomics analysis how a person’s biological information can enhance clinical care and outcomes through personalized treatment. It also includes the studies of heterosis, pleiotropy, and epistasis.
It also helps researchers and providers to know what conditions affect an individual. Genetic testing is becoming accessible and affordable to people and helping them to understand their health risks better.
5. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence is becoming the hottest trend in the healthcare industry. Healthcare organizations have used machine learning and AI for years and deliver a better patient experience. AI has played a vital role during the pandemic and showed its significance in thermal screening, vaccine development, and other areas.
The major aim of AI in healthcare is to describe the utilization of machine-learning algorithms to emulate human cognition in the analysis and comprehension of medical and healthcare data. The AI algorithm is used to identify patterns in behavior. AI programs are useful in the diagnosis process, drug development, and patient monitoring and care.
Different countries are investing in artificial Intelligence to progress healthcare, along with the latest technologies. Companies are working on healthcare technologies to help healthcare managers enhance business operations by decreasing patient boarding and managing staffing levels. AI in healthcare has changed clinical decision making.
Furthermore, it can be used to increase accuracy and to track patient data. Wearable healthcare technology uses AI to serve patients. Software that works on AI analyzes data and alerts users on their health issues and risks.
6. Telemedicine
The
telemedicine industry is growing rapidly. With telemedicine, it has become possible to use several services like psychotherapy and other healthcare services. Telemedicine offers healthcare using digital devices. It is the transfer of data through electronic communications. It allows healthcare experts to diagnose and to treat patients from a distance using telecommunications technology.
Also, when you see a doctor on digital devices, you can save money for public transportation and parking. More and more health physicians are offering telemedicine, so there's a good chance of seeing a doctor when needed while managing family responsibilities.
It improves the quality of care delivery and enhances patient engagement and satisfaction. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases: doctors are using telemedicine to prescreen patients to test for the disease. Additionally, it is preventing people from interacting with infected patients.
7. Smart Hospitals
Smart hospitals are redesigning and building clinical processes. They are making the best use of artificial intelligence and the Internet of medical things. Including these technologies helps in reducing cost and other healthcare expenditures.
Smart hospitals are enhancing the work of nurses, improving operational efficiency, and preventing patient events. They streamline-work processes, improve healthcare decisions, thus allowing us to interact with patients electronically.
They capture patient’s records and maintain clinical records, allowing physicians and experts to access real-time information when needed. A hospital needs a variety of medicine. From ordering to tracking medicine and other supplies, stock management can be facilitated. The hospital management system records a patient's medical background and manages clinical records, allowing physicians and medical practitioners to access real-time information.
8. Thermal Screening
According to reports, non-contact infrared thermometers and other thermal screening systems use different methods to check the temperature of humans. Thermal imaging measures skin temperature and detects energy released by objects.
Thermal screening is cost-effective, as it can measure the temperature of multiple persons at a single time. Also, it reduces psychological impact and enhances data collection and integration capabilities.
9. The Internet of medical things (IoMT)
The
Internet of Medical Things is offering several benefits to the medical industry. It is a collection of medical devices, and this connects to healthcare systems and services. Fitness devices, smart pills, hospital devices, and more use IoMT for better healthcare services.
With IoMT, healthcare professionals can check patients in real-time. It also reduces system error and minimizes costs. However, it is less secure and can be easily attacked by hackers.
10. Virtual Reality and Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is an excellent innovation in the healthcare industry. The surgery is performed using a robotic device and delivers fewer risk complications. Robotic surgery gives a faster recovery and reduces blood loss.
Virtual reality, on the other hand, is taking patients through a surgical plan by implementing a patient-specific 360 VR reconstruction of their anatomy and pathology.
Final Words
You might find healthcare as the slowest industry to adopt technology, but after the pandemic has occurred, it is adopting technologies at a rapid rate & delivering better patient services. No wonder digitization is shaping the healthcare industry in several ways.
We, at Covetus, build customer-centric solutions to empower healthcare providers. Furthermore, we offer expertise in a range of medical standards, like
DICOM,
ICD-9, ICD-10,
FHIR, and more. Our efficient healthcare services include healthcare web development, healthcare product strategy for businesses & customized healthcare software development.
Indeed, the healthcare trends would provide the best of medical services and experiences in the coming years.
