Tag Archive for: health technology

The Future of Health Technology: Predictions and Trends

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With technology advancing rapidly, the healthcare industry expects to undergo significant changes in the years to come. From personalized medicine to wearable devices, the future of health technology promises to increase patient satisfaction, improve care quality, and reduce healthcare costs.

Health Technology Trend: Internet of Medical Things

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has been a promising digital health trend for the past few years, and it’s a growing heath technology trend. According to Precedence Research, the global market size of IoMT, valued at $180.5 billion in 2021, is predicted to reach around $960.2 billion by 2030 with a 20.41% —compound annual growth rate. Consumers love these devices, yet they don’t exactly trust them. Brands in IOT or HealthTech have particular PR needs.

IoMT, or healthcare IoT, is a network of medical devices, hardware infrastructure, and software integrated via the Internet. It relies on automation, sensors, and machine-based intelligence to reduce the need for human intervention in routine healthcare procedures and monitoring operations.

Wearable devices like smartwatches and pulsometers, connected to health and wellness applications, are the most famous examples of IoMT. They expect to further revolutionize healthcare in the future through their real-time data tracking and reporting abilities.

These devices have sensors that can detect and measure our body vitals, like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Healthcare professionals use this real-time data for observation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Moreover, tracking such critical data through IoMT in real-time allows patients to be more aware and educated about their medical conditions and bring healthy changes in their lifestyles. Some devices also include gamification features to reward patients for achieving health-related milestones, motivating them to stick to healthy habits. Besides smartwatches and pulsometers, other wearable devices joining the IoMT trend include bio-patches and smart hearing aids.

It’s not just wearable devices that are revolutionizing the health industry. We also have smart pills – edible electronics that not only play the role of pharmaceuticals but also provide valuable information to caregivers about the patient’s health. Such cloud-based networks of devices and software will continue to evolve, empowering doctors and patients to prevent, diagnose, monitor, and improve various health conditions.

Health Technology Future: Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is a rapidly growing field within the health technology industry. It has the potential to introduce revolutionary advancements in various aspects of healthcare services.

For those who don’t know, nanomedicine uses microscopically tiny materials to diagnose and treat living organisms.

Healthcare researchers are engineering nanoparticles and other nanostructures to interact with the human body in specific ways, allowing for targeted drug delivery. New materials and therapies, like xenobots and nanosensors, are being developed to help diagnose cancer cells or viruses at an early stage and regenerate damaged tissues and organs.

Nanomedicine has the potential to increase the efficacy and safety of treatments, reduce side effects, and provide new opportunities for personalized medicine. Although this field has numerous challenges, such as regulatory hurdles and potential toxicity issues, it has already shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. As a result, there is significant investment and interest in developing nanomedicine technologies, making it a highly-promising present and future trend in medicine.

Health Technology Trend: Telepsychiatry for Mental Health Services

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled the adoption of Telemedicine, including telepsychiatry.

Telepsychiatry uses technology to provide mental health services remotely, like psychiatric assessments, consultations, and treatments. It can take many forms, such as phone consultations, video conferencing, and even text messaging.

Telepsychiatry enables mental health providers to connect with patients in real-time without requiring physical proximity. It can save time, expense, and effort needed for a physical visit, making mental health services more accessible and cost-effective.

This field can also increase access to mental health services for individuals who may not have access otherwise, like those living in rural or remote areas or with mobility or transportation limitations. It also fosters more privacy and confidentiality by allowing patients to participate in sessions from their homes.
Moreover, telepsychiatry can offer more flexible scheduling and convenience for individuals with tight schedules or other commitments. People are likelier to stick to their treatment plan if they don’t have to visit the healthcare provider in person every time. Plus, studies have shown that telepsychiatry can be as effective as in-person mental health services. It can even lead to better outcomes in some cases.

Most importantly, telepsychiatry can help decrease the stigma and fear associated with mental health problems. People who feel anxious about openly discussing their issues with someone face to face can find comfort and relief in doing it remotely with the help of advanced health technology.

As health technology continues to improve, telepsychiatry is likely to become even more advanced, popular, and accessible to people all over the globe. However, it is essential to note that telepsychiatry is not a replacement for in-person mental health services for everyone.

Some individuals may require more intensive treatment or may prefer in-person sessions. Mental health professionals must evaluate the appropriateness of telepsychiatry for each individual, providing a range of treatment options to meet their unique needs.

Health Technology Prediction: 3D Printed Organs and Implants

Bioprinting is a cutting-edge health technology enabling the production of 3D biological structures, like tissues and organs, through a layer-by-layer approach used in 3D printing. Bioprinting uses bio-ink. Bio-ink consists of living cells and other biomaterials deposited using specialized printers to form intricate structures.

3D printing of biocompatible implants has been around in the healthcare industry for years but still needs to be mainstream. Many expect significant progress in the field soon, with new materials and improved methods for creating and maintaining external prostheses, cranial or orthopedic implants, and personalized airway stents.

They speculate that the progress in 3D printing decreases production costs and time for bionic prostheses and implants. It will also make customized bionic prostheses for the spine, knees, hips, and skulls more affordable. Plus, the new types and generations of 3D implants and organs should last longer, work more efficiently, and involve a lesser risk of rejection by the human body.

One of the main drawbacks of 3D-printed mechanical limbs is that they weigh a lot. The future anticipates bringing enhanced lightweight prosthesis designs that integrate easily with human bones. Another expected future outcome of advancing this field is the availability of life-saving cardiovascular and neurological implants.

Health Technology Future: AR and VR in Medical Education and Diagnosis

AR and VR have the potential to fully transform the delivery of healthcare services, leading to enhanced patient outcomes. However, they must address many technical and ethical challenges before these clinical practices can widely adopt these technologies.

AR and VR can help create immersive simulations that allow students and medical professionals to practice and refine their skills in a secure and controlled environment. For instance, surgeons can practice complex medical surgeries and procedures before performing them on patients.

AR and VR are critical in facilitating remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers. Patients wear VR headsets that enable doctors to examine them and provide remote diagnosis and treatment virtually. Many people expect Telemedicine to progress even more in the future.

AR and VR are used to create immersive and interactive rehabilitation programs that make therapy more engaging and effective. For example, patients healing from a stroke can use VR to simulate daily activities to improve mobility.

Another use of AR in the healthcare industry is overlaying medical images onto a patient’s body, enabling doctors to visualize the internal structures more intuitively.Companies are using AR and VR to produce educational materials for patients that help them better understand their condition and treatment options.

Health Technology Future: Big Data Analytics

The future of data analytics in healthcare holds significant potential for enhancing predictions and decision-making.

Personalized Treatment: With advanced data analytics, healthcare providers can provide more personalized treatments to patients. By examining genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data, healthcare professionals can better understand a patient’s unique health profile and create tailored treatment plans.

Predictive Analytics: Data analytics can enable healthcare providers to predict health outcomes and identify patients at high risk of developing specific health issues. By examining large amounts of patient data, healthcare providers can detect patterns and trends that may signify the onset of a disease.

Real-time Monitoring: Wearable devices and other health technology collect real-time patient data, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients closely and make quick decisions. By analyzing this data, providers can detect changes in a patient’s health status and take action before a condition worsens.

Improved Decision-making: Data analytics can help healthcare providers make more informed decisions about patient care. Providers can identify the most effective treatments for a particular condition and determine which patients benefit most.

Data Sharing: Improved data analytics will allow healthcare providers to share patient data more efficiently and securely. It will help providers collaborate and make more informed decisions about patient care.

Health Technology Future: Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based, and time-consuming administrative tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care. RPA has the potential to streamline the way healthcare is delivered. Here are some potential advancements we may see in the future.

Administrative Tasks:

RPA can automate administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, processing insurance claims, and managing patient records. It can free up time for healthcare providers to focus on patient care.Billing and Payments: RPA can automate billing and payment processes, decreasing errors and raising efficiency.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs):

RPA can automate EHRs, making it quicker and easier for healthcare providers to access and update patient data.

Clinical Decision-Making:

RPA can help healthcare providers make more informed decisions about patient care by providing real-time data analysis and recommendations.

Patient Monitoring:

RPA can monitor patients remotely, alerting healthcare providers about the looming medical conditions before they can turn severe.

Medication Management:

RPA can automate medication management, ensuring patients receive the proper medication at the right time.

To sum up, RPA can transform healthcare by improving efficiency, reducing errors, and enhancing patient care. However, the critical point is that RPA should not become a substitute for human healthcare providers but rather a tool to help them deliver high-quality care.

Health Technology Trend: Retail Healthcare

Retail healthcare refers to providing healthcare services in non-traditional healthcare settings, such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and clinics in shopping malls. Retail healthcare providers offer various services, including primary care, urgent care, vaccination, and wellness.

Retail healthcare will continue to grow as consumers demand more convenient and accessible healthcare services. Here are some ways in which retail healthcare is likely to evolve in the future:
Expansion of Services: Retail healthcare will likely expand the range of services offered, including Telemedicine and virtual care options. It will enable patients to receive care remotely, improving access to healthcare services and reducing the need for in-person visits.

Integration with Technology: Retail healthcare providers are likely to integrate more technology into their services in the future, including wearables and other connected devices, to collect more data on patients’ health and provide more personalized care.
Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: We will see retail healthcare providers collaborate more closely with traditional healthcare providers, like hospitals and physician practices, to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.
Focus on Wellness: Retail healthcare providers will likely focus more on wellness services, such as nutrition and fitness programs, to help patients stay healthy and prevent chronic diseases.

Conclusion

The future of health technology looks promising, with numerous advancements in various fields. For example, the integration of virtual and augmented reality technologies is predicted to raise the standards of medical education and training, as well as patient engagement and rehabilitation.
Robotics and automation technologies are also ready to transform the healthcare industry, improving patient care, reducing errors, and optimizing clinical workflows. Conclusively, we can expect innovative and groundbreaking developments in the healthcare industry due to the continuous evolution of health technology.

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10 Healthtech Journalist to Follow on Twitter

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Where using internet services and social mobility in healthcare services was a personal choice in the past, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that it is now a necessity for both consumers and healthcare providers, making healthtech one of the fastest-growing emerging industries.

Thousands of healthtech companies usher in innovations and cutting-edge technologies every day. For such fast-growing coverage needs, health tech reporters must proactively illuminate the business strategies of the modern healthcare giants and dig into new research to create a detailed reporting piece of the healthtech industry.

This intersection of technology and health quickly evolves, attracting billion-dollar investments worldwide. So healthtech PR is always looking up to energetic and determined healthtech journalists for press coverage. They cover the latest trends and deliver deep insights and compelling stories on the healthtech industry.

Here are ten healthtech journalists to follow on Twitter. They will keep you informed of what’s around the corner and clearly show where the healthtech industry is heading next.

1.    Christina Farr

Christina Farr is a former healthtech reporter for CNBC, Reuters News, Fast Company, and other publications.

Christina is now a health tech investor and a principal at OMERS Ventures, a global early-stage venture cap. She was born and raised in London and graduated from University College London and Stanford University.

Christina Farr is the author of Second Opinion, a healthtech newsletter that publishes various trends revolving around pharmacy tech, women’s health, etc. It also features interviews with investors, executives, and healthcare founders. Christina applies her experience as a healthtech journalist and investor to dive deep into the world of healthtech news.

 

Her breakthrough works, and exciting healthtech stories have appeared in numerous publishing companies, including the New York Times, Bay Citizen, and Daily Telegraph. Christina frequently appears at health and technology conferences as a speaker and featured expert on ABC, Reuters TV, and others.

Her Twitter is @chrissyfarr, where she actively tweets about the latest healthtech trends and news.

2.    Nick Triggle

Nick Triggle is a health correspondent at BBC. His reporting mainly focuses on NHS, and he writes extensive articles demonstrating how the UK deals with challenges around social care and health inequalities.

Such articles, such as on mental health and the NHS crisis, target the issues of how healthcare provided by NHS is suffering a blow and dealing with many challenges like the aging population and obesity.

Many people highly respect Nick Triggle for being one of the most perspective health journalists as he gives equal and enough attention to the rising issues and trends related to healthcare and NHS. He digs deep into the matters revolving around health reforms, new acts, and the effects of the pandemic and other dangerous challenges for NHS with a much-needed context and data visualization.

Nick was awarded the “Blogger of the Year” by Medical Journalists’ Association in 2015. He is the lead journalist behind the breakthrough BBC projects, The NHS crisis – decades in the making, and the ‘Fantastic’ care calculator.

Nick Triggle highlights the pressing health stories in the UK on his Twitter account (he goes by @NickTriggle). He partakes in the debates and conversations that discuss national response to these challenges. His tweets are an up-to-date source for receiving the latest and authoritative views on NHS, social care, and public health.

Nick Trigger also previously worked on the Gerry Robinson TV NHS documentaries.

3.    Laura Donnelly

Laura Donnelly is a health editor at The Telegraph Media Group. She has written several well-researched articles in The Telegraph, which focus on the healthcare services in the UK concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laura Donnelly has won many awards for her energetic work on various topics, such as the NHS crisis, in-depth investigations, and exciting stories that bring research and scientific breakthroughs to her readers’ lives. Her latest works on NHS waiting lists and NHS strikes highlight the devastating effects on healthcare services in the UK.

Laura Donnelly channels the same energy and passion into her Twitter account, sharing her opinions and turning complex healthtech news into offbeat news and stories. You can find her on Twitter as @lauradonnlee.

Laura has worked at The Telegraph for more than 15 years and also has editorial experience at the Health Service Journal. Her past roles as a news editor and health journalist have made her one of the vital healthtech journalists to follow on Twitter.

Laura Donnelly covers the latest trends in biomedical technologies and vaccine developments. She has an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system, and thus, her Twitter account is an excellent place to receive critical analysis and reporting on the latest healthtech news.

4.    Erin Brodwin

Erin Brodwin is an award-winning health tech reporter at Axios. Erin’s hard-hitting stories and newsletters are all focused on digital health, health ambitions and where the world’s technology giants are heading towards, and venture capital.

Erin Brodwin is a California-based healthtech journalist who graduated from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York after receiving her Master’s in health and science reporting.

Erin Brodwin is one the most dedicated and passionate health journalists who actively contribute to the world of health and science publications. She has experience with some of the biggest names in science, health, and technology magazines. Erin has contributed many stories to Scientific American, which discusses the roles of AI tools in healthcare and clinical diagnosis, advertising campaigns that harm teenage psychology and health, chemical weapons, and much more.

Erin has also written for Insider Inc. and has broken several breakthrough news on health and technology stories and the latest trends. She has been a healthtech correspondent at STAT, covering many topics ranging from digital health, the role of key healthtech players like Facebook and Google, and challenges to people’s health that arose due to the misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erin Brodwin is one of the healthtech journalists you must look for on Twitter. You can find her as @erinbrodwin.

5.    Andrew Gregory

Andrew Gregory is an award-winning British journalist and health editor for The Guardian. He received three British Press Awards for his high-impact journalism and his long and dedicated role as a health reporter exposing racial health inequalities in the UK.

The works of Andrew Gregory have captured a lot of attention by bringing such healthcare issues to light and produced a wave of fury and determination in public regarding healthcare inequalities.

Andrew has also won a Guild of Health Writers Award, a British Journalism Award, and many other nominations and awards.

Andrew chooses the most impactful and gripping healthcare topics to write about. The power of his words to resonate with the readers makes him one of the highly sought-after healthcare journalists. His exciting stories focus on the role of technology in healthcare, and he also shares his direct and honest opinions about the latest trends and news in healthtech in his breakthrough works.

Andrew Gregory has written many articles on the role of healthcare technologies like Artificial Intelligence and how they can help physicians and surgeons refine and improve their healthcare services. He uses his Twitter account to shed some light on his articles within the 280-character limit and then links the complete articles on The Guardian. You can find him on Twitter as @andrewgregory.

6.    Natasha Singer

Natasha Singer is a health technology reporter at The New York Times and passionately writes about topics like consumer privacy and education technology. She dedicates her work to the extensive and essential ways healthtech companies, their technology, and tools impact healthcare services and job opportunities.

Natasha Singer is currently attending The KSJ Fellowship Program. Most of her stories published for The New York Times are about tackling the mental health crisis in children and teens and its direct relation to the use of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. She has also received many awards for covering and reporting online tracking.

Natasha Singer highlights the intersection of science, society, and technology, focusing on behavioral advertising, health, and education.

Natasha Singer was also a correspondent for Outside Magazine before coming to the Times. There, she published important stories about wildlife conservation and biodiversity. Her Twitter account is a great place to receive a deep understanding of these topics, as Natasha actively posts about her works there. You can find her at @natashanyt.

7.    Kat Lay

Kat Lay is a health editor at The Times. She mainly explores stories and trends related to new advances in research studies and clinical trials and highlights the healthcare issues within NHS.

Kat Lay picks up the most exciting topics about public health in UK and NHS staff. She also highlights the role of healthtech in improving the clinical diagnosis of serious diseases, such as how they hold trials for AI programs to check for breast cancer in NHS patients and how Milton Keynes Trust has now adopted healthtech innovations to deliver cutting-edge care.

Kat Lay also received a Medical Journalists Association award for her news story that covered sexual harassment in surgical training and surgeries. Kat Lay joined The Times in 2012 as a graduate trainee, and since then, she has created a name for herself as one of the most well-deserved and dedicated healthtech journalists.

Follow her on Twitter at @katlay.

8.    Amit Katwala

Amit Katwala is an award-winning science and technology journalist. After studying Experimental Psychology and graduating from Oxford University, Amit pursued his career as a writer and editor at several famous publications like Economist and Science Uncovered.

Currently, Amit Katwala is a writer and editor at WIRED, an essential source of breakthrough information regarding science, technology, and its effects on society. Amit has also written two books, Tremors in the Blood and The Athletic Brain, in which he discussed the impact of science and technology on the human brain.

Amit Katwala contributes great stories to WIRED based on his exciting research on health, science, and technology. He also shares his opinions about the collision of technology with culture on his Twitter account, and you can find him at @amitkatwala.

9.    Zaria Gorvett

Zaria Gorvett is an award-winning senior journalist at BBC Future. She mostly tells compelling stories about health, medicine, psychology, history, etc. Zaria is an aspiring health journalist whose articles were featured on Chartbeat’s list of the most engaging stories of 2021 and 2022.

Zaria Gorvett is a London-based science writer. After graduating, she worked for environmental charities in Tobago and Greece while earning two Master’s degrees.

Now Zaria is one of the essential healthcare journalists as she frequently writes about science topics ranging from COVID-19 vaccine doses to “untranslatable illnesses.”

Zaria Gorvett has also written for Scientific American and Asian Scientist, two of the most popular magazines highlighting worldwide health, science, and technology issues.

You can find Zaria on Twitter as @ZariaGorvett, and if you are interested in fascinating stories about healthcare and other related topics, she is the one to follow.

10. Jessica Kim Cohen

Jessica Kim Cohen is a precision medicine reporter at GenomeWeb, an online science magazine covering recent trends and compelling stories about molecular biology.

Jessica Kim Cohen writes about the latest research studies and developments in genetically targeted treatments.

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