It's no secret that modern technology is reshaping how entire industries operate today. Although adopting new technologies is disruptive at first, the benefits new tech can bring are vast, indeed. Oftentimes, industries need to use the latest technology because they must improve and replace their obsolete methods with more effective strategies and processes.
A good example of this can be found in the healthcare industry. The majority of medical advancements and ground-breaking research were made possible thanks to modern tech. More often than not, technology is the one that's responsible for revolutionizing procedures and treatments.
That said, that's one of the main reasons why the healthcare industry has greatly evolved over the last few years. The fact of the matter is that when medical professionals embrace help from technology, anything is possible. With that in mind, here are a few ways how technology has changed healthcare for the better.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
AI technology has been in development for some time now. Although our AI isn't anything like what we've seen in science fiction movies or novels, it does have some pretty neat uses across various industries. In healthcare, AI is considered to be one of the most revolutionizing technologies ever to be used in this industry.
AI's algorithms and machine learning capabilities are already helping in the development of new treatment plans, drugs, and medical records. But that's not where AI's application ends. As a matter of fact, Google used their DeepMind AI to create screening for breast cancer.
The AI was fed information from thousands of mammograms, which allowed it to outperform some of the best radiologists in detecting breast cancer. This doesn't mean that AI will replace medical professionals. Instead, it can be a great tool that will assist doctors everywhere. This is true not only for healthcare professionals in general, but also for those studying in colleges with a radiology program.
The Power of Augmented Reality (AR)
A lot of people couldn't imagine the use of technology such as AR in healthcare. What seemed impossible a few years ago is now a reality. Augmented reality (AR) found its use in various aspects of healthcare.
AR was first used back in 2018 when a team of scientists and surgeons from the Imperial College of London performed a reconstructive limb surgery at St Mary's Hospital. They used Microsoft HoloLens to overlay CT images that included the position of bones, blood vessels, and muscle tissue, which allowed the surgeons to see through the limb.
Today, medical students also use the same technology to study anatomy. Microsoft managed to develop the so-called HoloAnatomy app designed for these purposes. This type of technology will help train a new generation of medical professionals who will know how to utilize technology's fullest potential in their work.
Enhanced Procedures
Technology is present pretty much everywhere in the healthcare industry. That said, medical technology is available to patients as well. Nowadays, you can use various wearable devices, such as healthcare trackers and sensors.
These devices monitor your condition and overall health, which doctors can look into even while you're not in the examination room. This method greatly speeds up procedures and allows medical professionals to diagnose patients much more efficiently. Technology is also used to empower patients in more ways than one.
For example, hospital digital signage used in various medical institutions and hospitals allows patients to get informed more easily. You can check your appointments and get answers to any question you may have without having to chase down a nurse. This greatly reduces the waiting lines in these institutions and allows both medical staff and patients to move around more freely and quickly.
Virtual Reality Assistance
Like augmented reality, virtual reality (VR) is also being used in the healthcare industry. VR's primary use is in training surgeons. They can practice surgeries without actually operating on patients. This can drastically reduce the chances of human error actually happening during the real surgery.
The main reason is that surgeons can identify their mistakes and work on improving their skills. Virtual reality makes this possible today and much more. Moreover, VR is also being used in patient care. For example, studies have shown that VR can reduce patient stress, anxiety, and even pain levels.
Medical professionals use VR with relaxing landscapes to help women through labor pain. In addition, VR is oftentimes used to distract patients from painful experiences and improve their overall mood before surgeries. Therefore, there are various ways that technology can be used to improve patient care and help them recover faster.
Technology has evolved much in the last few years, and it continues to do so. Modern technological advancements have enabled significant progress in various industries, including healthcare. Today, technology is helping medical professionals all over the world do their job much more seamlessly and efficiently. It's safe to say that the future of healthcare looks bright with the help from technology.
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