Visnext

Apr 01, 2023. 5 min Read

Can you imagine a time when patients had to sue their healthcare providers for access to their own medical records? Believe it or not, that was the reality just twenty years ago. However, thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed in 1996, patients now have the legal right to access their medical information. Technology now makes it simpler than ever for patients to access their medical history online. It's true that the pandemic drastically changed the lives of every individual around, but that may not be all. For some, it was a blessing in disguise, considering how it sped up the digitization of our lives.

What are the top 5 Digital Healthcare Trends in 2023?

The top 5 digital healthcare trends in 2023 are telemedicine, data science, wearable technology, cloud computing, and AR/VR technology which are helping the medical world bring revolutionary changes to patient care.

Telemedicine

One of the most exciting healthcare technology trends and digital innovations in 2023 is telemedicine, which promises to transform the way we approach patient care. By leveraging digital tools, we can make significant progress towards improving patient outcomes, enhancing the patient experience, and reducing healthcare costs. A visible example of digital healthcare is telemedicine, which has emerged as a powerful tool for remote consultations. From March 2020 to February 2021, a stunning 43 percent of Medicare primary care visits were conducted via telemedicine.  Thus, analysts at Fortune Business Insights anticipate the telemedicine market to grow to more than $185 billion by the end of 2026. 

Research has also demonstrated that there are circumstances in which the use of telemedicine can be just as effective as meeting in person. But the benefits of telemedicine go beyond just convenience. For example, it can really help expand access to healthcare for those who are medically vulnerable or don't have transportation. And because there are fewer people in medical buildings, it can also help reduce the spread of disease. 

In addition, virtual appointments are a great option for people with chronic conditions who need to see their doctor regularly. And because telemedicine allows for ongoing communication between patients and providers, it can help ensure continuity of care and better outcomes as well.

Fun Fact:

In the medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy”, telemedicine is used to bring in remote specialists for consultations. The doctors at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital use telemedicine to connect with specialists from all over the world, allowing them to collaborate on difficult cases and provide the best possible care to their patients.

Data Science

Picture this: a world where healthcare providers have access to vast amounts of data that helps them deliver personalized and effective care to their patients. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie right? Well, the truth is, we’re already on our way there, and we owe this to data science. 

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and reinforcement learning (RL) are just a few examples of the data science technologies that have gained traction in the healthcare and life sciences in recent years. In 2023, we can anticipate these technologies to reach new heights of efficacy and efficiency. 

The benefits of data-driven decisions in healthcare are clear. By leveraging data science technologies, healthcare providers can improve processes, increase compliance, and reduce costs. However, there is a catch: the vast quantities of healthcare data generated are frequently stored in silos, making them inaccessible and difficult to analyze. 

That’s where companies come in. By working to unlock this data, both alone and in partnership with others, they can help healthcare professionals turn data into actionable insights. This, in turn, can lead to better decisions in the patient journey as trends and patterns are identified and acted upon. 

So where should you start if you’re interested in harnessing the power of data science in healthcare? We recommend taking a proactive approach. Look for ways to partner with others in the industry, invest in the right technologies, and prioritize data analysis in your decision-making process.

Worth knowing:

In 2021, researchers at Stanford University used data science to develop an AI algorithm that could predict which COVID-19 patients would require intensive care. The algorithm analyzed data from nearly 10,000 patients to identify factors that were associated with the need for ICU care, such as age, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels. The algorithm was able to accurately predict which patients would require ICU care with an accuracy rate of over 90%. 

Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has come a long way in recent years. What started as simple fitness trackers has evolved into a full-blown industry, with devices that can monitor heart rates, blood pressure, sleep patterns, and stress levels. And in 2023, we can expect even more development in this space. 

Nevertheless, the most exhilarating aspect of wearable technology is the ability to monitor multiple biomarkers at once. This means that a single device could give you a comprehensive overview of your health, allowing you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and habits. 

Keeping aside individual health, wearables are also playing a major role in the healthcare industry as a whole. From supply chain management to financial services, wearables are helping people connect on a whole new level. And as the trends toward healthcare coming home continue, smart devices play another ancillary role in continuously collecting data and providing insights for both patients and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. 

Cloud Computing

Fortunately, the rise of cloud computing is poised to revolutionize the industry, providing a platform for the development of cutting-edge solutions that can improve every aspect of healthcare delivery. 

At the heart of this transformation is the use of rapidly evolving technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, and remote monitoring devices. These tools have the power to completely reshape the way that medical data is consumed, stored, and shared, creating new opportunities for patient outreach and dramatically improving the speed and accuracy of diagnoses and treatments. 

When it comes to healthcare, the advantages of cloud computing are numerous and far-reaching.  By leveraging the power of cloud technology, businesses can reduce IT costs, improve scalability and flexibility, and promote collaboration and innovation across teams. At the same time, cloud computing offers robust security features that ensure the privacy and protection of sensitive medical data, helping healthcare providers comply with regulatory requirements and maintain the trust of their patients. 

Overall, the potential impact of cloud computing on healthcare is enormous. By embracing this rapidly advanced technology, businesses can achieve greater efficiencies, enhance patient care and drive innovation in a way that was previously unimaginable. So why wait? Now is the time to explore the many benefits of cloud computing and start realizing the full potential of this game-changing technology in healthcare. 

AR/VR Technology

Virtual and augmented reality are two technologies that have the most potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. Even though these technologies are still in their early stages, a doctor can use them to safely treat patients with psychological problems and train new doctors without putting patients in danger. 

Understandably, AR and VR enable medical students to treat virtual patients in medical schools. By doing so, they can become incredibly skilled and instantly trained, which ultimately contributes towards better patient care in the long run. 

In addition to better physicians, virtual and augmented reality can also improve mental health outcomes for patients. Research has shown that patients who receive treatment for phobias and fixations using virtual reality can reduce their fears by up to 75% after an average treatment length of six weeks.

How does Visnext come into Play?

As a provider of state-of-the-art technology, we understand the potential of digital healthcare tools to revolutionize modern medicine. By embracing these technologies, we can help the medical industry improve patient outcomes while potentially reducing costs for everyone. 

However, there is still a challenge to overcome the old, pre-pandemic attitude toward these tools. Change requires a tremendous effort, and it is up to leaders within the medical, business, and government spheres to lead the way. With the right leadership, we can usher in a new era of healthcare efficiency, effectiveness, and affordability using Telemedicine, cloud computing, wearable technology, data science, AR/VR technology, and other digital healthcare tools. 

Would you like to know more? 

Talk To Us

Thanks for reading


VisNext is a software design and development company that creates digital solutions for web, Android, iOS, smart TV, wearables, IoT.