With the ongoing boom in the digital health industry, it’s no wonder that ideas about how to streamline healthcare technology are being developed faster than ever. From innovations in telemedicine, including apps that connect patients with care providers, to AI, new technologies are popping up every day and consequently changing how we approach health and wellbeing.
But while there’s plenty of innovation in the medical sector, not all of it is without flaw. As with many technological advancements, new and untapped issues could potentially emerge before products are perfected. Venture capitalists and larger companies, for instance, may take advantage of the rise in these digital health applications, despite lacking the expertise needed to provide people with specialised healthcare.
All this considered, huge changes are happening currently in the health tech industry, which could be both exciting and daunting. So, here are some of the biggest trends in health technology you may want to look out for.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics involves the use of data and statistics to make predictions about the future. These analytics tools tend to look at historical data, such as sales numbers, social media interactions and web traffic, in order to predict trends.
Predictive analytics can be used for many different purposes, but it is most often used for business intelligence (BI). However, many healthcare technology experts are starting to see the benefits of using them in medical institutions to adapt more easily to changes in demand and patient flow. For instance, predictive algorithms can inform healthcare professionals when to admit or discharge a large number of patients in their database.
Predictive analytics can be either quantitative or qualitative, depending on whether it uses statistical models or machine learning algorithms. Some variables may include demographics like age and gender or, for online applications, interaction data such as likes, shares and comments.
Virtual Reality
Perhaps one of the most prominent technological innovations in recent years, Virtual Reality, or VR, is becoming a major resource in the medical sector. The concept is simple. Why travel to receive a physical healthcare consultation, when patients could just as easily access them remotely?
Thanks to virtual and augmented reality (AR), this is now possible for a growing number of healthcare professionals. For example, some of the most popular VR platforms, including Gear VR, Apple (News - Alert) ARkit, Google Daydream, and Microsoft HoloLens, are beginning to incorporate simple health programs into their technologies. But as with any new tech, the potential for more advanced applications is almost limitless.
VR programs have become progressively more accessible, and in a matter of a few years, we could start to see them being used to help with a wide range of health issues. From chronic pain, to giving birth, or even psychological treatments and exposure therapy for serious phobias. Whatever the healthcare situation, a virtual medical environment could provide an acessible and convenient solution.
Health Tracking Apps and Devices
The best healthcare providers understand that they need to apply the latest technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Doctors and nurses in particualar have become pioneers of wearable technology like smart watches. With both the rise of consumer-focused technologies, like Apple Watch, and the need for more sophisticated healthcare solutions, the medical industry has become a big market for these convenient ‘wearables’.
Apps that track everyday health have also proven to be some of the most popular downloads for smart watches and phones alike. But this is no accident. The vast majority of individuals know the benefits of tracking their health, and so having a number of different healthcare apps ready to access in emergencies could mark a massive improvement in the way people receive healthcare.
The best health apps, such as Apple Health, Medical ID and My Fitness Pal go even further to improve their service. For example, by using the data they collect from users, they can make personalized health programs which don’t require any in-person cosultations.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is defined as ‘the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology’. To put it simply, its a word which had become associated with recents advancements in the remote health technology world. However, in the era of smartphones and 4G LTE (News - Alert), it’s hard to believe that remote visits to a medical provider are still considered an ‘advanced’ technology. But they are. And they’re starting to become mainstream.
Telemedicine is finding success through apps like Doctor on Demand and Scan, which connect patients with doctors by video chat, and CareCloud, an on-demand healthcare platform that connects patients with healthcare providers through remote consultations.
Artificial Intelligence in Retail
AI could be shaping up to be one of the most lucrative technological advancements in the health and wellness industry to date. Particularly in the health and wellbeing retail sector, artificial intelligence is making it easier for customers to access tailored medication, by personalising the consumer experience.
Whilst also improving customer outreach, AI and machine learning alike can help healthcare companies better understand their data and market their products to the appropriate audiences. For instance, this new technology could direct a stressed or anxious person to a CBD wellness product like Delta 8 Gummies, at the pricepoint and level of quality that’s right for them.
Digital Twins
A digital twin is a precise simulation of a real-world object that is built using virtual reality. The main goal of a digital twin is to create an accurate representation of a physical object so that people can better understand and interact with it. While these models can be used for a variety of purposes, including research, engineering, manufacturing, and design, they are especially helpful in the healthcare industry.
For example, digital twins can be modelled on real-life patients, allowing medical professionals to test out which treatments or procedures they may need in a more timely and safe manner. The generated images can also aid healthcare research and overall patient care, by allowing experts to study replicas of real life medical cases, without interefering with the actual patients involved.
Health is about more than just the body. That’s why there’s been a rise in autonomous sensors that monitor the emotional and mental health of individuals, as well as the physical. In terms of sensors, the most popular is currently the smartband, but other players in this space include AI companies like BioBeats, which specialise in mental health.
Autonomous sensors are just starting to emerge as a category in health technology, but they’re particularly well-suited to psychological wellness services. Some of the most popular sensors include the Fitbit Alta, Misfit (News - Alert) Shine, and the Garmin Vivofit, to name a few. But over time, new autonomous sensor categories are bound to emerge, such as equipment that focuses on daily health metrics.
Blockchain for Healthcare Services
The healthcare industry is all about data, and blockchain is one of the emerging technologies best suited to collect and store it. Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that can be used to store data efficiently. This is particularly important for health applications that need to store large amounts of information, like health records. As we’ve seen with other industries, particularly the financial sector, there’s a lot of hype happening around blockchain. But more interestingly, it is yet another emerging technology that can be leveraged to revolutionize healthcare.
In order to effectively use blockchain for health, however, it needs to be applied to oracles. An oracle is a data source that feeds information into a blockchain, and it’s important to note that not all oracles are created equal: some, for instance, are better suited to help with scalability and reliability than others.
Telepsychiatry
The term "telepsychiatrist" refers to a psychiatrist who provides medical care over a computer network, phone, tablet, or other electronic device. Telepsychiatrists can help diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and insomnia. They can also prescribe medication when necessary and provide ongoing monitoring.
There are several advantages to using telepsychiatry in the healthcare industry. For one thing, it allows doctors and patients to communicate in real time. They can see each other's faces as they discuss symptoms and treatment options, which can be especially helpful for people with difficult-to-visit locations or those who face language barriers.
However, the quality of care provided by telepsychiatrists at this stage may not always as good as what you would get from a traditional doctor face-to-face. For one, they may lack the training or expertise needed to give thorough exams or prescribe effective medications. However, the potential for telepsychiatry to become a recognized form of treatment in the future is almost certainly on the cards.
What Are You Waiting For?
The health industry is ripe for innovation, and emerging technologies like virtual and autonomous sensors, blockchain, and wearable devices are poised to make a dramatic difference to people’s lives and overall wellbeing. But these technologies have only just begun to be explored.
That’s why it’s so important to be a part of the conversation. The health technology and telemedicine sector is still in its infancy, and as more individuals and organizations begin to explore these new digital alternatives, we’re bound to see widespread improvement and innovation pretty soon.
