The medical field is continually advancing. With technology at our fingertips, it just makes sense that these advancements will lead to substantial changes in the industry. Medical technology continues to be better than ever before, and there are new things introduced all the time.
In this guide, we will take a look at how medical technology will continue to make massive strides in the upcoming year. Check out how technology will continue to improve medical care below!
Protection of the Elderly
As people age, they start to lose some of their independence. While many people live in their homes with very few health ailments, many start to notice health declines. In the past, the only solution was to move your elderly parents in with you or send them to an assisted living facility.
Thanks to technology, we have more and more options that allow the elderly people in our lives to remain independent and stay in their homes. The top 10 medical alert systems on the market are just one part of that. These alert systems get smarter and more user-friendly, but there are more tools on the horizon.
There are voice-activated systems that a person can use to call for help. In addition, there are motion sensors and detectors that will alert someone when something unusual happens. That’s just the beginning. We’re seeing things like programmable medicine dispensers, smart lock mechanisms, and even camera monitoring that help to keep them safe and cared for.
Enhanced Video Conferencing
Video conferencing isn’t new. During the pandemic, many facilities were forced to find solutions like these and incorporate them. But in 2024, we expect to see continued advancements and opportunities with video conferencing.
Currently, many facilities use Zoom or Skype-based services. They utilize business subscriptions to ensure proper encryption and HIPAA compliance, but they are still very limited. For example, you can’t take someone’s vitals this way.
Upcoming technology promises to be more robust, allowing the medical provider to have a more thorough examination even when they are not in the same location. With improvements like these, there will be added capability through video conferencing outlets.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
We have just started to see more and more AI and robotics technology coming out, and this promises to be a major factor in 2024. This technology can help improve healthcare with the provision of more devices and more capabilities.
Since AI often learns as it goes, it could potentially serve as a resource for more intuitive care rather than playing the guessing game for more complicated cases that doctors find themselves facing. With the increase of resources and capabilities, this just might help make some healthcare more accessible, so patients aren’t stuck waiting months to be seen by specialists.
It’s impossible to know for sure how AI and robotics are going to evolve in 2024, but we suspect they are going to take center stage and lead to immersive healthcare on many fronts.
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
If you are in the medical field, you may have heard this terminology already. The IoMT is a resource for doctors and providers to have medical knowledge at their fingertips but also to manage their patient data and treatments. The space allows providers to track medical data and share it as needed.
IoMT keeps data secure but simplifies processes and tracking for the providers and the patient. More and more providers are transitioning to this type of resource for their practices, and we expect it to become the primary way to track, monitor, and treat patients in 2024.
Enhanced Wearable Devices
Earlier, we mentioned wearable fall devices and tracking systems for the elderly. That is just the beginning of wearable devices. Consider that the inspiration that started wearable devices. With wearables, patients and providers will have more accurate tracking of major medical conditions.
A great example is a wearable device for Type 2 diabetes. The device would be able to monitor and track sugars and provide a warning or alarm when numbers are out of whack. This is just the beginning. Another new wearable is a chest device that tracks things like heart activity, blood pressure, body temperature, and even electrocardiogram when worn.
There are more and more options like this, and the benefit is being able to have real-time tracking that could save a patient’s life or prevent dangerous circumstances with their health. At the least, it would provide an alert when something is wrong.
These are just a few examples of how medical technology is improving and will continue to improve in 2024 and beyond.