If you’re in healthcare, you know the value of keeping a close eye on approaching trends. New technologies emerge every year, sending ripples across the entire industry.
Next year is no different. According to our team of healthcare software developers, you can expect to see many exciting healthcare trends in 2023. From virtual care through privacy to AI, they’ll heavily impact the way we deliver, manage and understand medical care.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at them and examine the effect of each one. Then we’ll talk about the steps a medical practice can take to future-proof its operation going into the new year.
Let’s dive in.
Telemedicine
Hardship breeds progress, as humanity has proved time and time again. And the recent pandemic was no different.
COVID-19 caused tremendous strides in several healthcare trends, the most notable one being telemedicine. Valued at around 75 billion euros in 2020, the global telehealth market is expected to hit over 390 billion in 2027.
It’s easy to see where this is coming from. At a time of mass quarantine, getting patient care without leaving the house was invaluable.
But it’s about more than convenience. Virtual healthcare’s effectiveness rivals traditional hospital visits while cutting treatment costs by up to 50%. And in recent years, an increasing number of people are treating online appointments as the new norm in health management.
With all that in mind, telemedicine will likely be a big part of healthcare in 2023 – and beyond.
Artificial Intelligence
It’s a well-known fact that AI is changing the way many industries work today, and healthcare trends are not unaffected. According to Grand View Research, the global AI in medicine market is expected to keep expanding at least until 2030.
There are several ways the sector can benefit from artificial intelligence. Some institutions are already using bots to reinforce their customer support departments.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The technology is excellent at sorting through massive data sets and quickly making connections – an invaluable skill in medicine. Research shows 30% of healthcare costs are related to administrative tasks. Automating that means reduced expenses for medicine providers – and simultaneously providing faster care to patients.Â
The industry is sure to capitalize on an opportunity like that. Considering everything that AI brings to the table, it’s going to remain one of the dominant healthcare technology trends.
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
The global IoT market has been rising for a while now, and the healthcare industry is following suit. A Markets and Markets report expects the global IoMT market share, worth $26.5 billion in 2021, to reach $94.2 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 28.9%.
Considering the growth in both AI and telehealth, the rising adoption of IoT-based devices makes sense. Made possible by advancing technology, wearables monitor and store medical data in real-time.
That opens up numerous possibilities.
Medical professionals can now monitor patients’ health and well-being anywhere. This doesn’t require people to participate in virtual visits or online meetings – just that they wear a small device collecting and transmitting physical data.
Patients themselves also have unprecedented access to, and control over, their health data. Some wearables can easily be synced with a smartphone, letting users know if they’re healthy or need a doctor’s visit.
On a more specialized level, ingestible sensors are revolutionizing internal diagnostics. Swallowing a tiny pill can provide information on a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, gut health, and various other bodily functions. That information is then readily available online, for doctors and patients alike. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global internal sensors market will experience a 10.62% CAGR between 2022 and 2030.
The Internet of (Medical) Things is causing radical shifts in the way disease detection, prevention and treatment work. Based on everything we’ve seen, it’s primed to remain one of the most prominent healthcare trends throughout 2023.
How you can prepare for 2023
As you can see, the future of healthcare revolves around establishing and maintaining a personalized connection between doctors and patients.
The rise of telehealth demand means it might be time to train staff on virtual communication and appointment scheduling. We recommend looking at your infrastructure and investing in the necessary technology to support online appointments.
Artificial intelligence is an opportunity for you to implement powerful support bots and explore new ways to manage your data. AI’s potential for automation and making connections in large data sets will give a competitive edge to companies that utilize it – while leaving the ones that don’t behind.
If you haven’t integrated IoT-based systems and devices into your operation, consider doing so. You might need to evaluate your infrastructure, select the most appropriate devices for your needs, invest in smooth integration with your systems, and train your staff on how to use the data they provide.
Remember that adoption of any new healthcare trends should be done ethically. In addition to being compliant with regulatory requirements, it has to take into account the needs of patients and staff alike. Try and find a tech partner that’s proficient with healthcare software and can help you navigate all parts of the integration process.
Wrap Up
In a post-COVID world, technology is revolutionizing healthcare faster than ever. Between AI, wearables, and telehealth, patients are looking for a secure, personalized, yet easily accessible journey. One that medical leaders will need to provide if they want to maintain their lead.
Identifying rapidly growing areas is key. By keeping a close eye on new developments, you can determine what to focus on and invest in strategic improvements that bring value to your organization.
