Health and wellness are topics that are growing in importance in the United States. Individuals, families, businesses, CEOs, and everyone in between are spending more time prioritizing well-being, and the industry itself is constantly evolving to keep up with everyone’s needs and health goals.
Technology has had a very important impact on many of the changes in the health and wellness industry. Taking care of patients and clients is becoming easier and faster for businesses in this field, and accessibility to products and services is improving every year.
Whether you are a healthcare professional, a decision-maker for a business in this industry, or an individual with wellness goals you are hoping to reach, keeping up with the technological advancements in this field can be beneficial. Here are a few technologies that are shaping the healthcare industry that you should know about.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in today’s news. Programs like ChatGPT are demonstrating the power of AI and the ability that it has to affect how certain businesses operate. AI is a technology that is also having a major impact on the healthcare space. There are many examples of this innovation changing how we look at wellness, one of which is in the area of therapy. The importance of therapy cannot be understated, and the concept of AI therapists has entered the conversation to make it more accessible. Is it moral? Is it better for privacy? Is it even effective? AI is also playing a major role in patient data tracking and diagnosis. As this technology improves, it will surely spread its influence into more areas of healthcare.
Online Education
Training is another aspect of healthcare that is being heavily influenced by technology. Years ago, the only ways to gain the knowledge necessary for a healthcare career were by attending higher education institutions or seeking out internships. Now, in-person learning is not the only way to get started in this industry. Online learning makes it easier for individuals to start their journeys through healthcare education. For example, aspiring healthcare workers can obtain BLS certification through online education programs like Protrainings, which are sanctioned by some of the top medical organizations in the country. Making a career switch is more accessible than ever with these online education options, and it is all thanks to modern technology.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things refers to technologies that can be interconnected and interact with each other through wifi, Bluetooth, 5G, and other types of networks. The medical field is benefitting enormously from the “Internet of Medical Things.” For example, wearable sensors can communicate data to other machines, making it easier for healthcare professionals to track patient vitals and other information in real-time. Remote patient monitoring is another possibility thanks to IoT technologies, which is a growing trend that is making patient care more accessible without having to rely on in-person appointments. Seeing where the IoT will take the medical field is an exciting development that will only improve the level of care that is available to patients.
Bioprinting
3D printing on its own is a very unique technology that allows for the efficient creation of physical products. However, a lot of research is being conducted in the area of bioprinting, which is similar to 3D printing except that it involves the creation of living matter. Currently, bioprinting is being used for processes like ligament repair and drug research. However, the potential for this technology could eventually lead to more complex organ repairs and even replacements.
Patient Management Software
Businesses in the medical field deal with a lot of data, from patient intake to health histories. Manually dealing with this heavy load of data is incredibly time-consuming. Fortunately, the healthcare industry can now rely on cloud computing and patient relationship management software to improve their operations. There are plenty of online tools that make it easier for practices to handle processes like patient onboarding, medical record tracking, data collection, appointment scheduling, and more. As these tools improve and make operations more efficient, businesses can spend more time focusing on providing excellent care to their clients or patients.
Changes Happen Fast
Understanding how these technologies affect the healthcare industry is important. If you are an individual with health concerns, then you need to know what kind of patient services like remote monitoring are available. As a healthcare professional, you should be aware of how your role may be affected by innovations like the Internet of Things and AI. Medical business owners should stay on top of software programs that can maximize the potential of their team by cutting down on manual processes. Technology changes quickly, which means the changes that happen in the healthcare industry can also happen fast. Stay on top of healthcare technology trends so that you can care for yourself, your patients, or your career prospects.
