Featured article by Sarah Saker, Independent Technology Author
We regard technology as a catalyst to major change in our civilization. It drives evolution from one era of human existence into the next. It makes our daily activities easier, faster, and more efficient. Technological innovations are being produced today at such an accelerated pace that what is current now may become outdated in just a few short months. As remarkable as it is, technology has a way of becoming a major disruptive force that coerces societal change, welcome or not.
It widely affects a multitude of aspects in our society, including industries like manufacturing, automotive, electronics, agriculture, and even healthcare. There are emerging technologies that are set to disrupt the way healthcare works today in a profound way. They hold promise for creating improvement and progress in the medical field. Healthcare is a critical facet in our society, and as it improves, it will enable more people to live a happier, fulfilling longer life.
Here are some disruptive technologies that are poised to disrupt the modern state of healthcare.
Telehealth
Distance is one of the limitations that prevent a patient from taking a medical service that they preferably want and need. Not everyone has the time and money to fly from one state to another just to get a medical consultation. Telehealth is the combination of digital technology like video and audio tech and healthcare practice. This technology allows a connection and communication between physicians and patients regardless of their location and distance, provided that they have an Internet connection.
The leverage this technology presents to the medical field is that it eliminates a number of difficulties that may arise due to location and availability. Around 77 percent of Americans own a smartphone and 76.2% have access to stable internet connection. If these people were able to access medical care through telehealth then people would find it fast, easy, and convenient to look for the care they need without sacrificing quality. Additionally, it allows hospitals and clinics to recruit top talent regardless of location.
The Internet of Things is an ecosystem of connected devices that can communicate, interact and provide real-time information in real time. If this will be applied to the medical field, it will open up a whole new realm of possibilities. For one, it can make medical care cheaper.
People do not need to go visit a clinic or be confined in a hospital. Basic checkups can be done from the comfort of your home, as long as your IoT platform can be sync with the clinic or hospital of your choice. Post-treatments do not require you to recover at expensive hospital rooms. The presence of IoT can allow patients to be monitored by their doctors and nurse whilst in their own bed back at home.
Smart Technologies
The majority of people around the world are probably reading this post on their cell phone. It has become an embedded need for modern society. If this technology blended with healthcare, the possibilities are nearly infinite. Smart technologies like smartphones, tablets, laptops or even a smartwatch can be used for healthcare purposes. They can be used for data storage, collection, and management. Essential information that can be gathered using these gadgets will be useful for practitioners to better understand the condition of a patient.
People can start downloading mobile applications that can help them better themselves in terms of health. As of today, there are a number of apps that are used to help quit smoking, record sleep patterns, track stress, measure health metrics and even set reminders for medication. As time passes, further updates will only make these apps better than they are today.
Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacogenomics is not a new technology, but a fairly recent discovery. It is defined as the study of how genes affect a person’s reaction to a drug or medication. Each person possesses their own unique genetic makeup. And it is believed that the effectiveness, safety, and doses of medication is directly linked to genes.
Due to our promising technology today, we are now capable of analyzing any data that are required to make medical decisions based on pharmacogenomics. The ability to analyze, compare, study and evaluate information from genes, drugs, cost, care, benefits, and medical history is now possible. This makes medical healthcare more specific, precise and personal for each and every person.
