Technology is all around us, and it’s evolving at a rapid rate. The healthcare industry is no exception. There have been numerous technological breakthroughs in recent years, and there are many more to come.
Artificial Intelligence
Just as technological innovations affect all areas of society, they also affect all areas of healthcare. When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), modern applications include wide-ranging use cases, from cybersecurity to radiographic imaging. The potential is limitless; in fact, as AI applications continue to improve, the entire healthcare industry could undergo a shift.
Virtual Healthcare
In some cases, it can be very difficult for a patient to meet with a healthcare provider. For example, if the person lacks mobility, has limited access to transportation, and/or lives in a remote area, getting to a doctor’s office may be particularly challenging. Virtual healthcare, also known as telehealth or telemedicine, makes it possible for healthcare providers to communicate with patients without physically seeing them in the office. It can be useful in other ways, as well, including online second opinions, doctor-to-doctor consultations, and home monitoring of certain conditions.
Nanomedicine
Given the complexity of the human body, it’s fascinating to think about the ways that nanotechnology allows the healthcare field to focus on very specific parts of the body. Using cancer as an example, nanotechnology enables healthcare providers to direct chemotherapy to the tumor and minimize exposure to the rest of the body. Cancer is just one example, and that’s why nanotechnology holds so much promise for healthcare.
Robot-Assisted Surgery
What if a technological innovation offered precise, accurate, and easily-replicated results that could greatly assist surgeons and improve patient outcomes? That would be tremendous for surgeons and patients facing surgical procedures. That’s exactly what robotic surgery systems do. This type of surgery is becoming more and more common, and the potential is growing, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearing more each year.
Virtual Reality
When you hear the term virtual reality, do you think of games? Although that’s what it was used for in its early days, healthcare professionals are using the technology for patient care. And the uses are expanding: virtual reality allows patients to experience realistic, three-dimensional worlds that aim to not just reduce the stress and anxiety of a clinic visit, but also to teach patients new skills.
3D Printing
Although 3D printing has already had a tremendous impact on the healthcare industry, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. It has enabled customization, prototyping, manufacturing, and research. Innovations in this type of technology continue, including surgical preparation, prostheses, printing of tissues and organs, and medication dosage and pharmacology.
What’s to Come for You?
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. This is an overview of what’s to come for technology in the healthcare industry, and we’d love to talk about what’s to come for you. Are you looking for your next assignment? We can help: just give us a call at 310.436.3650.
