While technological advancements set new quality standards for industries worldwide, technology for healthcare institutions broadens medical operational horizons. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have shifted to digital to ensure safety when handling the ever-increasing number of patients.
Thus, the health tech market size reached $200 billion in 2022, with projected growth of $1069.13 billion by 2032. According to this forecast, the CAGR will grow 18.30% from 2023 to 2032.
From automatic processing of large patient history datasets to remote care, implementing the latest technology in healthcare helps businesses to:
- Foster accurate and faster diagnoses through AI-driven tools
- Enhance patient engagement and satisfaction
- Improve data management and better decision-making
Today, we’re giving an overview of the fastest-evolving technologies to businesses that want to stay competitive in the medical landscape.
The Top Healthcare Technology Trends in 2024
Although emerging technologies in the healthcare industry help businesses overcome modern challenges, they also grow in demand with consumers. As discovered by HIMSS — Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society — over 50% of patients seek mobility in hospital services.
The rising claim for digitalization is one of the primary reasons businesses turn to technology solutions in healthcare operations. For example, in Europe, healthcare spending averages around 11% of GDP, with medical technologies accounting for approximately 7.6%.
Spending on medical tech varies widely among European countries, from 5% to 12% of total healthcare expenditure.
During the pandemic, healthcare tech trends like telehealth and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) have shaped global digital health. AI and ML are gaining ground, specifically in meeting patient needs and empowering analytics for healthcare organizations’ management and decision-making.
Therefore, medical institutions implement cutting-edge technology for healthcare services in their hospital management systems, embracing the following trends:
- Telehealth & Telemedicine
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
- Health Tracking & Wearables
- Cloud Computing
- Big Data & Analytics
- Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)
- Nanotechnology
1. Telehealth & Telemedicine
Both telehealth and telemedicine healthcare technology trends are focused on switching manual offline services to the remote format. Telemedicine applications and platforms benefit hospitals by enabling remote consultations, reducing patient wait times, and expanding specialist access. The common use cases of telehealth and telemedicine solutions involve:
- Remote consultations enable patients to consult doctors remotely for non-emergency medical issues, prescriptions, or follow-ups.
- Remote monitoring allowing for continuous tracking of patients’ health data and conditions from a distance.
- Follow-up care for post-treatment follow-ups, reducing hospital visits for routine check-ups.
- Education and training for healthcare professionals, enhancing their skills and knowledge remotely.
For instance, Massachusetts General Hospital integrates telehealth solutions for mental health services, providing remote counseling and therapy sessions. That way, the organization segments urgent and non-urgent patients, lowering patient wait times and increasing operational efficiency
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are the most prominent tech and healthcare trends. In medicine, they’re widely employed to process vast amounts of data, offer predictive insights, and improve patient care. Medical facilities enhance their legacy healthcare systems and operate with AI-driven software for:
- Analyzing medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and pathology slides for accurate diagnoses.
- Tailoring treatment plans based on patient data and genetic information for better outcomes.
- Speeding up drug development processes by analyzing molecular structures and predicting potential drug candidates.
- Forecasting patient outcomes, identifying health risks, and improving preventive care strategies.
- Improving patient experience with healthcare chatbots and interactive tablets, where patients can review their medical plan and request additional information immediately.
Mayo Clinic, a hospital in the United States, represents a vibrant example of successful AI implementation. The medical center embraces AI-powered healthcare IT trends for predictive analytics, personalized treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes.
3. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an umbrella term for interconnected medical devices and applications that gather and transmit patient data in real time. It’s a complex system of interconnected tools and applications powered by biotech SaaS solutions, which can include:
- Wearable health trackers like smartwatches, fitness bands, and other wearables that monitor vital signs, physical activity, and health metrics.
- Equipment for remote health monitoring, including devices that track blood pressure, glucose levels, heart rate, etc
- Devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and neurostimulators that are implanted within the body and can communicate data
- Vending machines and pharmacy kiosks that allow patients to receive contactless medical assistance, prescriptions, and consultations.
Cleveland Clinic (United States) has employed IoMT as part of its health management system for remote patient monitoring. This enables healthcare professionals to track patient vitals and conditions remotely and reduces hospital readmissions.
4. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing in healthcare involves using remote servers to store, manage, and process healthcare data and applications. Employed with HIPAA-compliant software protocols, such applications are usually used for:
- Storing patient records, medical images, and health information securely on cloud servers for accessibility and backup.
- Facilitating remote doctor-patient interactions and telehealth services via cloud-based communication tools.
- Strengthening collaborative medical research by providing a platform for sharing data, resources, and computational tools among researchers worldwide.
- Hosting electronic health record (EHR) systems on cloud platforms for seamless access to patient data across healthcare networks and facilities.
Facilities like The Alfred Hospital (Australia) use cloud technology solutions in healthcare activities for predictive modeling and analysis of patient outcomes. This way, the hospital has improved clinical decision-making while enabling effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.
5. Big Data & Analytics
Big data stands among the most game-changing technology trends in the healthcare industry. Using big data processing apps and tools with smartly collected and easily accessed data, medical businesses derive meaningful insights by:
- Analyzing patient records, medical imaging, and genetic information to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Identifying patterns and trends within healthcare data to predict disease outbreaks, patient outcomes, and potential health risks.
- Utilizing patient-specific data to tailor treatments, therapies, and medications for better efficacy and reduced side effects.
- Tracking population health trends, monitoring epidemiological patterns, and designing disease prevention and management interventions.
However, harnessing the power of data-based technological advances in healthcare requires a fundamental approach to medical cybersecurity. The Singapore General Hospital is one of the facilities that focus equally on big data and information security. Utilizing big data analytics for predictive analytics, the hospital invests in robust cybersecurity to safeguard patient information and healthcare infrastructure.
6. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
The AR and VR duo is another technology changing healthcare activities and ways of operation. It is used in medicine to enhance medical training, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to innovative therapies and treatments, where:
- Surgeons visualize patient anatomy in 3D, aiding in surgical planning and practicing complex procedures before performing them on patients.
- Patients receive interactive experiences that aid in physical therapy and motor skill improvement.
- VR creates immersive simulations for medical training, allowing students and healthcare professionals to practice surgeries in a safe, realistic environment.
- AR and VR help explain complex medical conditions and treatments to patients by creating interactive and visual educational content.
Final Thoughts
Healthcare and technology continue to intertwine, steering the industry toward innovative advancements. The evolution of AI-driven diagnostics, IoT-enabled patient care, and the transformative potential of big data analytics signifies a promising era. In a world where patients need to be promptly assisted, it’s imperative to leverage trending technology for healthcare.
Through 11 years of delivering unique healthcare solutions, Acropolium has transformed medical businesses with over 23 software projects delivered. From legacy system modernization to pharmacy apps and HIPAA-compliant SaaS platforms, we breathe our digital expertise into medical companies.
Focusing on your objectives and budget, we offer flexible software development pricing models with subscription-based cooperation. Contact our team to make the latest healthcare software trends work for your growth!
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