Solving problems and helping others is self-fulfilling. If you haven’t decided on what degree to get in college yet, or you have a passion for making a big difference in other people’s lives, and you want to be updated with every technological advancement involved in treating and serving patients, then a degree in the healthcare sector can be one of your best options. There are various universities that offer healthcare degrees, such as Bradley University.
If you’re having a hard time choosing the best healthcare degree that suits you, here’s a headstart on some of the main programmes and the evolving technological advancement on each field in this industry:
1. Physiotherapy
If you want to be hands-on with helping people, then this might suit you. This degree is for managing pain and physical problems in the patient’s body by directing some courses and exercises. Most physiotherapists work to improve the lives of patients with life-long diseases by working closely to provide the patient’s needs, while some work in the sports industry for athletes who need assistance to get back on track after an injury.
Physiotherapy has improved a lot, especially when it comes to technological advancements. Here are some innovations in this field:
- Virtual Reality
This helps a lot, especially for patients who can’t go outside but still need enough exercise. Since exercises can sometimes be boring, VR can be a fun way to do it.
- The Performance Matrix
This is a collection of analytical software that examines and identifies the high-risk areas and weak points of your joints or back. This is for injury prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation, especially for athletes.
- 3D Running Analysis
This is for runners and athletes. It uses multiple sensors and cameras to collect accurate data to build effective exercise plans for individuals.
- Electromyography Biofeedback Machines
This uses needles or electrodes to analyze the speed and strength of signals through the patient’s muscles. This is for diagnosing nervous system problems, and can be used at home.
2. Pharmacy
This is all about administering medicine so that patients may be able to recover from their illness. The science of treating and preventing illnesses will be learned in this degree. A pharmacist is an important part of the healthcare industry as you’ll be administering medicines to surgeries and hospitals, and in pharmacies.
Some innovations emerging in this field are:
- 3D Printing
This process builds the pill by spreading the layers of the drug until the right dose has been reached, which can be up to 1000 mg. It is for patients who are experiencing difficulty in taking oral medicines.
- Medication Therapy Management
This includes drug dose adjustments, medication reviews, drug use reviews, and lab test reviews. It enhances the uses as well as outcomes of medications for patients with chronic illnesses.
- Nanotechnology
It helps in the delivery of cancer-fighting drugs to the bloodstream and decreases toxicity.
3. Nursing
Excellent communication skills and most especially empathy are just two of the main qualifications for being a nurse. It is a noble profession, so if you have a passion for helping others and you genuinely care for them, then getting a degree in this field can be right for you. Studying microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, anatomy, and other soft skills will prepare you to look after patients in the healthcare setting. Working under pressure, critical thinking, and being good at decision-making will also be required for this profession.
Here are some advanced tools used in the nursing field:
- Echonous Vein
Finding the patient’s vein has become easier with this innovative vein-finding tool. It provides a clear and accurate image of the veins through the use of two-button controls. This is commonly used in peripheral IV catheters.
- AvaSys TeleSitter
This improves patient monitoring via video observation, like a CCTV footage. It can be a portable wall-mounted unit, mobile cart, or a permanent ceiling unit. You can monitor up to 12 patient rooms using it.
4. Medicine
If being a hands-on doctor is what you want, then a degree in medicine is a good choice. Patient care, prevention, and everything you need to know about the human body will be taught with this degree. It’s a five-year program, and you have to get straight As when you study the course. No wonder that it is the hardest healthcare degree to attain among others.
The top technological advancements in the medical field are:
- Smart Inhalers
These are bluetooth-enabled to better manage the condition of asthma patients.
- Robotic Surgery
This provides precision, flexibility, control, and noninvasive procedures.
- Artificial Organ
An artificial organ can be grown on a patient’s body to replace defective ones.
- Wireless Brain Sensors
This measures the pressure and temperature within the brain. It dissolves once it isn’t needed anymore.
Conclusion
Any degree in the healthcare sector is always in demand because healthcare is one of the top needs of a person. These are just some of the main programs that you can choose from. Make sure to conduct your own research about different healthcare degrees so you can be confident that you’ve picked the right choice for your career path.
