Medicine has been practiced for a very long time throughout history, with surgeries dating back as early as 7000 BCE. Although, at the time, it was a painful experience, the practice saved lives and showed hope for people with ailments.
In the digital age, we use multiple modern technologies, from smart watches to non-invasive treatments, and the spectrum of options in healthcare has expanded to make lives easier and less painful.
These Modern Healthcare technologies make patient experiences smoother, make diagnosis and treatment effective and accurate, and enhance patient safety.
Today, let’s learn more about innovations in hospital technology.
The dread of being cut open, large incisions, and the long road of the healing process are quite true when it comes to open surgeries, also called traditional surgeries.
Minimally invasive surgery came to the limelight in the 1980s, primarily laparoscopy. In the past 20 years, minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the entire healthcare world, where professionals prefer laparoscopy over open surgeries. Laparoscopy is done with one or more small incisions, small tubes, and tiny cameras, which provide visualization and other surgical tools.
Minimally invasive surgeries result in smaller incisions, fewer hospital stays, faster recovery, and overall minimal risk compared to open surgeries.
Artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionizes medicine by enhancing diagnostic accuracy by analyzing medical images like X-rays and MRIs and predicting the onset of diseases through the analysis of vast patient data that humans may not be able to fulfill.
It also accelerates drug discoveries by simulating molecular interactions, enabling personalized treatment plans based on genetic and lifestyle factors, which results in upgraded health care for patients.
Artificial intelligence facilitates health assistants and telemedicine for remote areas, which supports clinical support to optimize decision-making. It also streamlines healthcare through administrative automation and helps advance medical research through data analysis.
Healthcare is one of the top three industries that employ virtual reality to aid in administration and operations.
VR allows patients to interact with medical professionals in simulated environments, which is particularly tailored to medical needs. Furthermore, it is a convenient way for medical students to access and learn information more immersively.
In this digital age, where people are comfortable with technology, 62% of patients welcome and are open to the idea of virtual healthcare services as an alternative to traditional healthcare services.
VR can be used in medical training and teaching, but what is most surprising is that VR can be employed to facilitate surgeries with the help of haptic controllers. This was a surgeon performing surgery in a virtual operating room.
Another primary usage of VR in the medical field is in rehabilitation, where VR therapy sessions provide a gamified experience that motivates patients for better results.
When distance separates patients from quality healthcare, the gap is bridged by the use of electronic information through telemedicine. Telemedicine provides support for healthcare through technology, primarily for people residing in remote areas.
Telemedicine consists of an interface of hardware and software to bridge the demographic gap between patients and doctors, along with communication channels for consulting and the exchange of information.
The primary advantages of telemedicine are its easy accessibility, reduced time and cost involved in patient transportation, and improved communication. It also acts as a tool for public awareness and disaster management and is a symbol of hope, bringing medical expertise over technology.
Technology in medicine has revolutionized each aspect by improving health care, streamlining accessibility, enabling faster recovery, and enhancing the success rate of critical surgery. What was once considered a probability and futuristic is now a reality, with millions benefiting.
We, Oxymed Multi-Specialty Hospital, are leaders when it comes to non-invasive treatment with the most advanced technologies in the world to provide quality healthcare for our patients.
Contact us or visit us for your treatment or queries in your healthcare journey.