Think that 2020 was purely a bad year? Think again. In the past year alone, numerous advancements have been made to how Americans receive healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’ll cover five of the biggest emerging trends in healthcare, and how these healthcare technology trends are beneficial to everyone on the receiving end.
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Advancements in Artificial Intelligence
Machine learning is a term that’s been around for a while. A simple way to understand this concept is through chess: when an AI plays and loses a game of chess, it learns what it did wrong, thus correcting the issue next time.
Chess AI have become near unbeatable, even by grandmasters, as the AI can compute every single option in a game. Now imagine this process extended to determining cancer, diabetes risks, or more.
These AI are helping doctors reduce human error when looking at data that before would’ve been indecipherable.
As learning algorithms continue to evolve, they will become more and more precise, offering better treatment and diagnostic information for patients.
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Virtual Reality (VR)
No longer a pipe-dream reserved for video games, virtual reality has massive implications for healthcare.
Let’s start with doctors and surgeons. Through VR, surgeons can practice difficult surgeries without risking a patient’s life. Physicians can use this to diagnose and learn about a variety of different ailments as well.
That’s not to mention the benefits it provides to patients. VR has been used to assist with psychological safety at work. (Unsure what that means? Here’s the definition of psychological safety.)
Through VR, patients can experience behavioral therapy in a virtual environment. In addition to this, meditation training is also possible, granting an escape for those that are mentally or physically limited in capability.
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Digital Healthcare Technology Trends
Online concierge is growing. This means that patients can digitally connect to a doctor’s office, send in information or online, only to receive answers and sample results online.
Follow this up with the ability to ask your doctor questions at any time about specifics of your results, and you’re putting power back into the patient’s hands.
Further, most results have links to associated data. Unsure what it means if you have high blood sugar? In the test, patients can find quick links that will teach them about the causes and associated risks involved with high blood sugar.
Read next: Interesting Tips to Help Develop Helpful Digital Skills
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Digital Apps and Scheduling
Along with asking questions, these online apps introduce flexible scheduling options for patients. Expect notifications, reminders, and follow-ups that go directly to you.
Increasing communication between doctor and patient can enhance trust and clarity in treatment.
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Outcome Based Healthcare
Out of all the healthcare trends, this one has the potential to benefit the most people. Providers are now being compensated based on their patient’s outcomes rather than how often they come into the office).
This program is backed by insurers and government programs aiming to put the pressure back onto doctors to help those in need.
As one of the best emerging trends in mental health care, this affects new drug trials as well. Successful drugs are being reimbursed based on their effectiveness.
Read next: Simple Dieting Tips That Make It Easy to Eat Healthy
More Emerging Trends in Healthcare
These are just a handful of emerging trends in healthcare. The good news for patients is that power is being placed back into their hands. New healthcare technology trends offer support and data that before was simply unavailable.
Looking for similarly stimulating content? Check out our health blog posts for more articles like this.
