Technology plays an increasingly integral role in the way we live our lives. Look around you, and you’ll see machines, gadgets, systems, and devices everywhere. One field that demonstrates the importance and power of technology is medicine. In this guide, we’ll explore some tech developments that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare.
Personal health and wellbeing
Technology offers individuals the opportunity to utilize apps and devices and access information, which improves awareness of health issues and encourages them to adopt healthier lifestyles. From apps that monitor heart rate and sleep quality to devices that track your daily activity levels and heart zones, it’s possible to use technology to improve your health and fitness, keep an eye on your diet and access reliable, accurate information about how lifestyle choices impact your health. Statistics suggest that the number of people who use wearable devices will reach 1 billion by the end of 2022. Changing attitudes to health and fitness, taking responsibility for personal health and wellbeing, and tracking metrics that are linked to conditions that are associated with lifestyle choices could help to prevent cases of heart disease, some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Rapid data analysis and new technologies
Time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing diseases, finding solutions and reducing risks. New technologies and capabilities within the field of medicine and scientific research are providing research teams and healthcare experts with the opportunity to analyze data rapidly and use technology such as next-generation sequencing to undertake projects and studies at a level that has never been possible. By working with a trusted NGS partner, organizations, companies and research facilities can find the answers to questions that have previously been unanswered and offer information that goes beyond conventional DNA sequencing technology.
Telemedicine
Many people will have experience of telemedicine thanks to the pandemic. In the last two years, the industry has boomed, with healthcare professionals all over the world switching to virtual consultations and phone calls as a safe, convenient alternative to traditional in-person appointments. Telemedicine is not perfect, and it won’t provide solutions for every scenario, but there are multiple advantages. For patients, a video or phone call can save time and eliminate the need to travel and it can also be a less scary prospect for those who may feel anxious or apprehensive. Clients can also take control of their own healthcare by gaining access to a wider range of choices. For professionals, telemedicine can be more efficient, which enables doctors, nurses, and therapists to see more patients.
Healthcare has changed in the last decade and it continues to evolve in line with advances in technology. Tech developments provide us with opportunities to access new services, take control of our health and develop new treatments and therapies. From health apps and telemedicine to wearable devices and next-level sequencing technologies, tech plays an increasingly influential and important role in the way we provide and access healthcare, diagnose, treat and manage conditions and carry out research to gain a better understanding of disease and improve treatment outcomes.
