As technology evolves, so does the healthcare sector. Every day, experts continue introducing new technological advances in the medical field, changing how doctors diagnose and treat patients. The development has helped the healthcare sector to be more efficient and better equipped to deal with various health concerns. Over the years, health practitioners have experienced a significant transformation in the available tools. The following are some of the ways technological advances have changed medicine:
1. Increased Accuracy in Diagnosis
In the past, doctors had to rely on their experience and expertise to make a diagnosis. Doctors can now use various tools that can help them be more accurate in their diagnoses with the advent of new technology. For example, MRI and CT scans have helped improve the accuracy of diagnosis for many conditions. In addition, DNA sequencing provides information about a person’s genetic makeup to identify risky diseases and develop tailored treatment plans.
2. Improved Treatment Options
The development of new technology has led to better treatment options for patients, such as customized implants and prosthetics. In addition, researchers continue developing new drugs and therapies that can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from various conditions.
3. Earlier Disease Detection
The earlier a doctor detects a disease, the better the chances for successful treatment. Therefore, medical professionals always look for new ways to detect diseases using technology. For example, the EEG headset detects changes in brain activity that may indicate a seizure. The technology detects seizures earlier and helps diagnose them more accurately. In addition, new blood tests can now detect cancers earlier than ever before using technology such as next-generation sequencing.
4. More Personalized Medicine
Personalized medicine is a type of healthcare tailored to the individual based on a person’s specific genetic makeup. Technological advances are making it possible to create more customized medicines, for example, CAR T-cell therapy, a new cancer treatment based on a person’s immune cells. The treatment has shown hope in treating certain types of cancer. For this reason, personalized medicine remains the future of healthcare through Artificial Intelligence.
5. Increased Use of Robotics in Surgery
Robots assist surgeons or perform the surgery themselves. One advantage of using robots in surgery is that they can be more precise than human surgeons. They can also perform surgery in difficult-to-reach places. Besides, a surgeon could facilitate the process without being in the operating room. The machine would be capable of completing the surgeries with reduced mistakes. Another advantage is that using robots in surgery can help reduce the risk of infection more than human surgeons. Additionally, robots are less likely to transmit diseases from one patient to another.
7. Ability to Target Specific Areas of the Body
Doctors can target specific areas of the body with great precision through technology, especially in cancerous tumors that are easily destroyed without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. In addition, doctors use technology in family planning, contraception, and diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases.
8. Greater Communication between Doctors and Patients
The way patients communicate with doctors is changing, thanks to technology. You can now have a video chat with your doctor, which can be incredibly helpful if you live in a rural area or are otherwise unable to visit your doctor. It opens communication between doctor and patient, as you can more easily explain your condition confidentially. Additionally, several apps allow you to track your health data and share it with your doctor, which can help them to provide better care.
9. Increased Efficiency
With technology, doctors can now do more with less. Besides, apps and other software automate tasks that would otherwise take up a lot of time, such as scheduling appointments and ordering prescriptions. In addition, technology can help to streamline the process of billing and insurance claims. As a result, both doctors and patients save time and money.
Conclusion
Technology has profoundly impacted medicine, which is evident in how doctors can now diagnose and treat their patients. With the continued advancement of technology, they can expect even more changes in the way they practice medicine in the future. Above are a few examples of how medical technology has changed the medical landscape in the past decades, improving the global health sector.