Artificial intelligence and healthcare industry has grown exponentially in the last decade. In 2020, the industry had a valuation of $8.23 billion. This is expected to grow even further by the next decade ( 2030) to a massive valuation of 194.4 billion. The growth is expected at a Compound Annual Growth Rate ( CAGR) of 38.1 %. The healthcare industry has found a new companion in Artificial Intelligence. With new inventions taking place rapidly, the technology is being rapidly used in improving the accuracy and success rate in the healthcare industry. The year 2022 is expected to be a revolutionary year with all innovations taking place which will shape the future of the healthcare sector.
Let us have a look on some of the top innovations in healthcare in 2022;
Telemedicine
On an average, approximately every allopathy doctor serves 1,511 patients, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed doctor to patient ratio of 1:1,000 is far higher. Access is the biggest issue in most parts of the nation due to the abundance of doctors and multispecialty hospitals in metropolitan areas.
During the pandemic, India struggled to provide basic and advanced healthcare. This is where Telemedicine comes in as a lifeline. The technology- enabled ecosystem connects doctors with patients not only in the urban area but also in the most distant parts of the country and has saved many lives due to the online video consultations.
One of the benefits of Telemedicine is that it has helped save costs on pre and post- surgery care. Around $10 billion can be saved by the Indians by 2025 via Telemedicine, according to a McKinsey report. This technical invention has proven to be very effective and will see significant advancements in the future.
Cloud Computing
With the emergence of MedTech solutions in recent years, Cloud computing now provides an ideal platform for sending and storing the clinical data securely. Data security has been widely debated in the digital era. By establishing rules and regulation to protect important data from possible data breaches, the cloud can be accessed from anywhere. Cloud Computing advancements also provide storage, administration, data backup and recovery.
Genomics
It is the study of the genome- a whole DNA collection, which includes the hierarchical and the 3D structural configuration. Genomics assists in the early detection of various diseases, even before the symptoms appear. With the emergence of Genome medicine, everything from cancer screening to guiding tailor-made therapy techniques, the face of medical science will be changed forever.
The National Human Genome Research Institute in India was established with the conviction that genomics research is radically changing our knowledge of human health and diseases.
Metaverse
Is metaverse the future or just hype? This question is very debatable. However, there is vital scope for the healthtech business in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Metaverse can replace virtual clinic visits and provide a better experience. We may also see robotic-assisted surgeries and surgeons meeting and collaborating on various surgeries on a virtual operation theater. Metaverse is integrating blockchain and crypto technologies, which means it won’t be long before virtual money is used to pay healthcare expenditures.
With all these fascinating advances in the metaverse, data security, accessibility and high cost of technology pose significant obstacles, which is something the Tech giants and developers are working hard to find solutions to overcome.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
In recent years AI has played a significant role in the healthcare sector. Through AI healthcare is reaping benefits like real-time clinical data transfer and preventative care. It also plays a vital role in pattern recognition and forecasting possible risks and factors for pandemic outbreaks.
Massive data sets can be accessed through various AI tools, which help in predicting hospitalization rates and be prepared in such incidents. Public healthcare system can also improve through cognitive machine learning techniques.
Since the pandemic there is an increase in awareness about preventive techniques in the healthcare system which lead to a rise in IoMT. With the help of advanced and efficient gadgets patients can now monitor their health easily. On top of this, companies like Fitbit, Apple, have launched their smart wearables and smartwatches which guarantee highly accurate monitoring of the user’s heart rate, physical fitness. The gadgets are so advanced that just with a touch the watch can monitor a person’s oxygen saturation. All these are now accessible to anyone, all thanks to IoMT!
With all the innovations taking place, it is quite evident that the world will have a safer and efficient future in healthcare. The patients will now be equipped with advanced services available easily. Advancement in IoMT gadgets will prove to be a lifesaver technology for the people. With this rapid growth, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the world and making it a better and safer place to live.
Author- Toshank Bhardwaj, AI Content Creator