Technology has permeated almost every aspect of our lives, and connected devices, increasingly meaningful analytics and immersive software has made a huge impact on our lives. As far as healthcare goes, these advances have affected the quality of life for millions and have had far-reaching implications for the healthcare sector at large. We detail the ways in which this has been made possible.
Personal genomics
Although the ability to choose to access your own genetic information is still a relatively young phenomenon, it is thought that one day it could form a key part of our everyday healthcare. Personal genomics could allow us to optimize our health on a whole different level to improving our diet and doing more exercise. As computing power advances with each passing day, we are beginning to unlock the true potential of human DNA and its inherent analysis. The result of this is that we will be able to access truly personalized testing and treatment that could vastly improve patient outcomes for a huge range of diseases.
Organs-on-chips
They resemble little more than tiny blocks, but these new-age chips could be the building blocks of life. These miracle devices could end animal testing, revolutionize the development of new drugs – and lead us into a world of entirely personalized medicine, a possibility barely comprehended until a decade ago. Lined with living human cells, organs-on-chips mimic the tissue structures and mechanical motions of human organs, promising to accelerate drug discovery and decrease development costs that often prove to be a stumbling block for many. It is in many ways the epitome of design innovation and it promises to increase the quality of human life and medical care exponentially.
Monitoring digital trends
As people take to the worldwide web to learn more about diseases and medication, tracking keywords and trends on social media and search engines can be a very useful tool in helping to identify and respond to disease outbreaks before it takes on gargantuan size. The accurate interpretation of the data could lead to a range of possible preparations – from the ordering of more tissues for an outbreak of the common cold to hiring additional freelance staff to fill in for employees who require sick leave. When the algorithms predict these trends accurately, the impact can be immense – but there are serious challenges to overcome, and many tweaks to be made to these systems before they become more widespread. The promise is there for all to be seen, and its potential is there to be tapped by the enterprising among us.
Genetic engineering
The jury is out on genetic engineering, and the debate on the use (or not) of gene therapy rapes long and strong into the night, but gene therapy and the use of genetically-modified viruses to fight disease is becoming increasingly common, while genetically-modified mosquitos are also being deployed in the fight against malaria and the Zika virus. By altering the genes inside your body’s cells, modern medicine is using your body as the ultimate way in which to stop disease. Gene therapy holds promise for treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia, and AIDS, but researchers are still trying to understand the possible applications and ramifications of gene therapy.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine has made exciting advances in recent years, and it’s applications in the Indian context are massive. Remote access to experts lets patients in stroke, neonatal, and intensive-care units get better treatment at a lower cost than ever before. In rural communities, the technology improves timely access to care and reduces expensive and often lengthy trips to medical facilities. Remote-monitoring technology lets patients with chronic conditions live at home and enjoy a better quality of life than might have otherwise been possible.
Surgical robots
Although their adoption is still in a nascent stage, surgical robots are poised to make major inroads in operating rooms around the world. In general, surgical robots can conduct minimally invasive surgery with incredible precision. Developing robots for surgery can ensure all patients receive the best care, regardless of which surgeon is available when they are in need of it, and often delivering world-class surgical skills in areas where no surgeon might be present. The use of robotic surgical equipment can enable specialist surgeons to treat patients thousands of miles away, reducing the need to travel for treatment. In time, they may be able to operate independently.
3D bioprinting
3D printing has made the previously unimaginable a reality; in February 2016, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced that they have successfully implanted 3D printed bone, muscle and tissue into animals. This might well usher in the age of custom-made body parts mapped to your DNA. Industrial 3D printing has been around for quite a while, this kind of bioprinting promises to change some of the most basic tenets of modern medicine, reshaping it as we know it.
