In today's world where technology is advancing at a mile a minute, healthcare providers who don't adapt will be left behind.
"Technological change is happening at an accelerated pace and cannot be ignored," says Mike Maczuzak, president of SmartShape Design. "Doctors must keep track of, and stay ahead of, the trends to keep their patients fulfilled and engaged."
Here are four key takeaways from the evolving world of healthcare-related technology:
1. Proliferation of wearable sensor-based technology. Sensor-based wearables send patient information to smart device applications and cloud-based EHRs. These wearables include wristbands, patches, clothes and even devices swallowed or inserted within our bodies. The information from the wearables are providing physicians with valuable feedback and empowering patients to take control of their own health activity, notes Mr. Maczuzak. Companies like SmartShape focus on developing many types of wearables, smart device apps and user interfaces for medical tools.
2. Data collection on a large scale. "Data from many sources, including various wearable devices, has become increasingly cloud-based and accessible to anyone anywhere, creating electronic health records that are more in-depth and always up-to-date," says Mr. Maczuzak.
The next step is leveraging big data, and interoperability among technological systems will become a necessity, he says.
3. More opportunities for leveraging big data. Data analytics provides valuable insight into health trends for healthcare providers to examine problems and find solutions faster. Additionally, patients will start to demand increased use of data analytics once they see how more accurate insights can improve health.
"Technology will continue to intertwine with healthcare in more ways than we can even begin to fathom," says Mr. Maczuzak.
4. Increasing use of 3D printing models. 3D printed models help medical professionals evaluate, prepare and practice medicine.
"For example, if a bone has been fractured, doctors can have an exact replica of the fractured bone printed for surgery preparation that sets the entire team up for a higher probability of success," says Mr. Maczuzak.
3D technology also allows physicians to print scaffolding and structures to support patient injuries during bone growth and repair.
"There is a growing demand by patients and consumers for greater access and portability of their health records, for improved control and ability to take charge of their health," says Mr. Maczuzak. "Healthcare providers must adopt these new types of technological advancements or be left behind."