Imagine being a patient in the early 19th century, when all ailments were considered “humors” to be ejected from the body. To restore balance, various techniques such as diets, natural herbs, or bloodletting with leeches were used – the only “technology” available at the time.
Even when the basic structure of modern medicine came into place, the average life expectancy was just 34 years old in 1913. A patient from that era would surely be amazed by the leaps and bounds that healthcare has undergone since then, thanks to the influence of technology.
The Healthtech Revolution
Today’s infographic dives into some of the technological advances that are pushing the boundaries of modern healthcare, and what this could mean for the sector.
What is Healthtech?
Healthcare technology, or healthtech, is the use of technology to better treat patients. Many such inventions have been credited for saving countless human lives since the 1800s.
Medicines, devices, procedures, and even organizational systems contribute to expanding life expectancy and improvements in quality of life.
From Fiction to Reality
Breakthroughs such as robotic arms, 3D bio-printed organs, and virtual reality for pain relief are being developed in the medical sector, drawing influences from the big screen.
Technologies that were once the staple of science fiction movies are rapidly becoming realities.
— Jeroen Tas, Chief Innovation Officer, Philips
But there’s a less tactile application of technology from science fiction that will arguably have an even bigger impact on healthcare: artificial intelligence (AI).
By recognizing patterns in behavior and creating their own logic, machine learning algorithms are set to transform various aspects of healthcare ranging from the automation of mundane tasks to the creation of entirely new drugs.
Healthcare at our Fingertips
Healthcare is also getting more mobile and connected, putting the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile health (mHealth) at center stage as sources of potential disruption.
These technologies can help in everything from offering patients a convenient way to book appointments and pay bills online, to allowing doctors to use electronic health records to access and share information.
Wearable devices and smartphone apps are spiking in adoption as they unlock the option to monitor and manage individual health anytime, anywhere. This is creating an explosion in personal health data, which consumers are willing to share with their doctor if it will benefit them or others.
The Coming Healthtech Boom
Artificial intelligence, IoT, and mHealth are contributing to rapidly expanding healthtech sector, and each are expected to experience rapid growth by 2025:
| Healthcare segment | Current* | Projected (2025E) | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | $2.1 billion | $36.1 billion | 50.2% |
| Global IoT | $120.2 billion | $543.3 billion | 20.2% |
| Global mHealth | $4.16 billion | $111.8 billion | 44.2% |
*2018E for AI, 2017 for IoT, 2016 for mHealth.
While healthtech won’t replace your doctor anytime soon, but it will certainly change your experience with healthcare – both on the front-end and behind the scenes.
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