As 2020 starts and we begin a new decade, developments in the medical technology field are expected to make huge impacts on healthcare. Artificial intelligence, 5G abilities, and robotics are all examples of new technology that we begin to change the way that medicine is done and improve efficiency by doctors.
Artificial intelligence provides new and more efficient methods of identifying, diagnosing, and treating patients. By improving the precision of processes, AI could save billions in the healthcare industry and could enhance patient care. AI can alleviate some of the strains on healthcare workers that treating a large number of patients incurs. Along with increasing productivity, AI is able to assist with regulating algorithms in healthcare. AI can help in the detection of certain diseases, automation of different processes and operations, help on the administrative side of hospitals, and more. Development in artificial intelligence should significantly improve patient care (Marr, 2019).
5G capability is another technological advancement that the healthcare industry should look forward to. This development improves the care that people in rural areas get by increasing the processing speed of telemedicine. Processing speed is important because it allows doctors to remotely and reliably monitor patients (Marr, 2019). 5G capabilities will allow AI to spread into many different areas and therefore, more people will be helped, improving patient care around the world. (Marr, 2019).
Another big trend in medical technology in 2020 is robotics. Robots can be used in many ways, from telemedicine to helping doctors perform surgery in the operating room. Robot performed surgery is estimated to save “$40 billion” this year. (Park, 2020). There is plenty of room for growth in robotics, but it has the potential to cut down cost significantly by automating many processes. In the future, physicians expect “25 percent of their work to be automated.” (Park, 2020). Since such a large portion of physician work could be done through the use of AI and robots, “more than 30 percent of physicians say that they are planning to take classes in AI.” (Park, 2020).
The evolution of technology has the ability to create promising solutions to challenges that the healthcare field is facing. Artificial intelligence, increased 5G abilities, and robotics are just a few of the many technological advances to look forward to in 2020.
Opinions expressed by AsianBlurb contributors are their own.
