Medical research is an ongoing process. Every other day, innovative medicines and advanced treatment options emerge to shatter the old and traditional therapies. This has become more of a routine process from the day technology has paved its way into medical research. Although medical research is a result-driven arena, results are currently obtained at a mind-boggling speed due to technological interventions. The future of medicine would be aimed to improve patient’s compliance by providing them with safe, effective, and affordable treatment options. The unison of technology and medicine would also help in developing the treatment for presently incurable diseases.
Here are the top trends in the future of medicine that the patients and caregivers would witness in the near future:
The DNA
DNA contains all the information about a human. Future medicine would make use of DNA for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Mapping the DNA will help in identifying life-threatening diseases much before they are being experienced. DNA is also used in developing drug delivery systems, for instance, the development of drugs that easily cross the blood-brain barrier, through DNA origami.
3D Printing
3D printing is one of the most advanced technological innovations of recent times, especially in the medical industry. 3D printing has already registered its presence in the healthcare and medical industry with USFDA approval of Spritam, an anti-epilepsy drug, developed through 3D printing. 3D printing allows the printing of various tissues and organoids and customized prosthetics. Research on 3D printing of kidneys is under process and we may hope for artificial kidney anytime in the future.
Real-Time Data Monitoring
The next-generation health devices are fitted to various parts of the body and provide real-time data to the physician. These devices range from a Fitbit watch connected to mobile phones to a blood pressure monitor attached to the arm. Oxygen measuring devices, digital stethoscope, and ECH monitors are available today. Digital tattoos are the next big breakthrough in this segment.
Artificial Intelligence Assistance
The future of medicine would include the delivery of real healthcare closely intermingled with the virtual model. Artificial intelligence allows doctors to perform robotic surgery. For surgery, the doctor need not be physically present in the hospital campus, let alone his presence in operation theatre. Telesurgeries powered with 5G technology would be possible in the future.
Predictive Healthcare Analysis
Predictive healthcare analytics is the next big thing that has the potential to transform the future of medicine. The personalized healthcare system is on the cards because of predictive healthcare analysis. Predictive healthcare is a complicated subject and technology has evolved to make it a lot simpler. A machine, that uses EHR data to predict the occurrence of septic shock 12 hours before it occurs, has been developed by the University of Pennsylvania.
Brain-Computer Interaction
Living with the damaged brain and affected organs would soon become a thing of the past. Various devices are available in the market that stimulates the nervous system. Cochlear implants and retinal implants are some examples. A ‘mind-reading’ exoskeleton has allowed the movement of limbs of a paralyzed man. The future of medicine holds many such devices.
Cyborgs In Reality
The fictional and hypothetical person would be a reality. We do not have to wait much to witness the eyes of humans better than an eagle or human nose to smell better than a dog. In short, the process of making humans to the “superhumans” has been initiated.
Vocal Biomarkers
Voice analysis software has already been launched in the market that analyzes the emotional pitch of voice. The analysis report generated by these software helps in evaluating the overall health as well as the presence of any serious medical condition. When voice-based technology starts interpreting, diagnosing and monitoring pathological conditions and much more, we can conclude that the future of medicine has arrived, at least for a shorter period because development is a never-ending process.
