Health technology is growing in leaps and bounds, improving the quality of life for people around the globe. The rise of mRNA vaccine technology means that more effective vaccinations for many diseases could be on the horizon. Electronic health records mean that vital information about your medical history can be accessed in seconds by your doctor. Below are several other advances that are changing the world of health care.
Telehealth
The rise of telehealth, which allows people to access medical care remotely, means saving money, saving time, and possibly saving lives. One all-in-one telehealth provider has a specific focus on college students, making it easy for them to thrive on campus thanks to the customized complete care solution available. With college mental health, in particular, is a growing concern, and you can review a guide about how students can better manage their mental health on and off-campus.
Human Genome Sequencing
Human genome sequencing is one of the most important advances in modern medicine. With the knowledge that this sequencing provides, researchers have been able to develop new treatments. One example is the HER-2 gene mutation linked to certain kinds of breast cancer. A treatment that specifically targets the mutation was developed thanks to the greater understanding scientists now have about the human genome.
Robots
Robots are already in use in operating rooms as assistants to the staff performing surgical procedures, but in the future, they stand to take on a much bigger role. Imagine a celebrated surgeon who could perform surgery from hundreds of miles away. This is one of the many advances made increasingly possible by robots, and the development of 5G technology means more remote surgery can be done at a greater distance. The speed of the signal offered by 5G reduces some of the risks of remote surgery when even small delays in relaying information can be fatal. The ramifications for people in parts of the world where it is difficult to access medical care are enormous.
Artificial Intelligence
Humans are good at a lot of things, but there are situations in which computers can be as or more accurate. Developments in artificial intelligence can help detect early-stage cancer, interpret diagnostic tests at least as accurately as humans, and process huge amounts of data. This facility with data can help doctors make difficult diagnoses more quickly. AI can also help develop treatments based on that data.
Wearables
Many people love wearables to help them better manage their fitness, eating, sleep, or other aspects of their lifestyle. However, wearables are becoming a larger part of the medical world as well, collecting data that helps doctors diagnose or track conditions. For example, if you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your only option used to be to go into a lab for a study. Now, a doctor can set you up with an at-home device that gives fast and convenient results. This doesn’t necessarily replace a sleep study, which could be necessary for follow-up in some situations, but it might also give a truer picture of your home sleeping situation.
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