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20 years ago, telemedicine, robotic doctors or 3D printed organs were considered the stuff of science fiction. But over the past decade, innovations in modern technology have greatly contributed to advances in healthcare. Robotic assistants, virtual doctors, and mobile phone apps are being integrated into the healthcare sector to improve the quality of services and increase the efficiency of treatment and care.

Recently, the Science Times published an article introducing five leading technologies that are currently profoundly transforming the field of healthcare.

Wearables and apps

In recent years, wearables and related applications have been one of the most accessible health technologies. For example, smart watches and smart bracelets, which can monitor vital signs in real time, are popular with consumers of all ages.

There are other technologies that not only record data, but also perform certain actions based on commands or situations, such as "smart bandages", which are equipped with sensors that measure the size of the covering wound to determine the progress of healing, detect infection and, if necessary, apply local treatment.

Another example is a blood glucose monitor developed by Withings in France. The device can identify certain conditions such as type II diabetes and arrhythmias based on the patient's biomarkers.

French technology startup Circular has produced a smart ring that collects health data even while a person is sleeping, including blood oxygen levels, heart rate, skin temperature, sleep indicators, fitness activities and more. Direct contact with the skin ensures the accuracy of the data.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize the healthcare industry. The development of machine learning algorithms, the rise of digital and biometric data, and the acceleration of computing power are driving this revolution.

AI can use research data to enable more reliable and faster diagnostics. IBM's supercomputer, Watson, for example, processes patient data and uses data sources to form hypotheses expressed in natural language.

In the field of medical imaging, due to the development of neural network algorithms, AI can classify CT scans, X-ray images, etc. into specific pathological categories, helping doctors diagnose more accurately.

AI can also remotely measure body constants such as heart rate, saturation, and respiratory rate. The AI camera can recognize pallor, cyanosis, weight loss, and skin texture changes that are invisible to the naked eye.

Telemedicine

With telemedicine, a single smartphone can solve most of a patient's problems, including teleconsultations, remote specialists, remote monitoring, remote assistance, where health professionals help their colleagues or others remotely during medical interventions, and medical hotlines. In an emergency, hospitals use medical hotlines to quickly direct patients or their relatives to nearby health centers to guide them in emergency care.

All in all, the main goal of telemedicine is to improve medical services and provide patients with a better consultation, diagnosis, treatment plan and follow-up experience, which is especially beneficial to residents facing the problem of "medical desert".

Robotics

According to Science Times, in 2021, 1/3 of surgeries in the United States were performed using robotic systems. Robots are more commonly used in outpatient surgery in hospitals. The U.S. government wants to promote this cost-cutting model, with the goal of having 70 percent of surgeries performed in outpatient clinics by 2023.