Technology has a very important role today, more so than ever, be it in any industry or in our personal lives. The healthcare industry is no exception to this rule. The combination of technology and healthcare is proving to be a boon to many and this revolution is set to break barriers in the future as well. Innovations in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, information technology, medical devices and equipment, and the like are contributing and will contribute in a big way in changing the whole healthcare scenario. And wearables are but a small aspect of this major technological haul that the healthcare industry is undergoing.Be it smaller innovations like bandages braces, or larger technologies such as MRI, artificial organs, and robotic prosthetic limbs, the impact of technology has definitely been lasting. Such innovations will lead to better diagnosis, surgical procedures, and improved patient care going forward as well.Technological innovations are also transforming treatment delivery and therapies,and making possible remote monitoring and health and fitness tracking a possibility. They will also in future result in better health management in populations.
Robotics
The very first advantage of integrating technology into healthcare is an improved quality of life. Surgeries today are minimallyinvasive, there are systems for better monitoring procedures and conditions, and scanning equipment is available which can diagnose any condition in a better way. The merger of medical equipment technology and telehealth has paved the way for robotic surgeries.In such cases, there is no need for physicians to be present in the operating room during any surgery. They can "work out of home" and this technique enables patients to be at their nearest hospital or clinic for the surgery thus removing many barriers and travel stress. Then there are other kinds of robotic surgeries where the surgeon operates the robotic devices while still in the operating room. But because there is minimum invasion, there is lesser room for scarring and quicker recovery.Robots can do surgery by themselves in delicate areas like the brain while venture capitalists like Peter Thiel are aiming for nothing less than eternal youth. Humans have always been ambitious in their aims and now there is technology to support that.
Technologies have shrunk in size and healthcare has integrated know-how from a variety of fields. This industry is therefore witnessing a revolution like never before. Some are willingly implanting devices that allow them to transform themselves from human to cyborg (called biohackers), while others are experimenting with foods that improve mental performance (nootropics) as well as enhance their physical capabilities.When the right analytics tools are paired with the right sensors and technology, the generated data is converted quickly and effectively into bits of information that different departments can use.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is another promising area. Nanobots can unclog arteries and thereby prevent heart-attacks. Researchers are developing nanoparticles that can deliver drugs across the brain barrier to tackle neurological disorders. Trans human evolution is still being studied although implants that record and transmit data have exciting implications for preventive healthcare. Grow Fit, the company I founded, is a machine learning company that is at the intersection of data science, machine learning, and medical science. I definitely see the use of data, if not robotics, as a critical development in Indian healthcare. We are moving away from one-size-fits-all medicine to more personalized and targeted healthcare, which has been made possible through technology.
Artificial intelligence
It is a known fact that humans have the capacity to analyse and deduce and that they are way superior than any other organism in this attribute.However, one limitation is the volume of information that the brain can process quickly. This is where artificial intelligence comes in. This science offers boundless possibilities in healthcare applications. One example from current trends includesassisting physicians and radiologists in making accurate diagnoses (IBM Watson Health).
3-D printing
This technology has several existing applications in healthcare. This includes orthopedic devices and implants. Research is also being carried out in the area of 3D-printed medicines and 3D bioprinting, which will open up the possibility of "printing" tissues or even organs!
In conclusion
With such a huge revolution in the healthcare industry, it is only imperative that companies in the healthcare sector examine and study the impact that these technologies can have on their business. They should alsoexplore the possibility of investing into these technologies, existing and upcoming. This is what will sustain them in this growing sector in the longer term.
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