The Future of Healthcare: How AI and Wearable Technology are Revolutionizing Patient Care
As healthcare becomes more advanced, it’s no surprise that new technologies like AI and wearable technology are being used to revolutionize patient care. These new technologies are helping doctors, healthcare providers, and patients alike by providing more accurate, personalized care.
AI in Healthcare
One of the biggest advantages of AI in healthcare is its ability to process huge amounts of data and identify patterns that may be invisible to the human eye. AI can assist doctors in diagnosing illnesses, predicting conditions, and even finding personalized treatments for patients.
Another benefit of AI in healthcare is that it can provide more efficient and cost-effective care. For example, AI-powered chatbots can provide patients with basic health advice and help reduce the workload of healthcare providers. This results in fewer patients needing to visit a doctor, reducing the cost and resources needed for healthcare.
Case in point: Oxford-based start-up, Sensyne Health, has developed an AI tool that quickens clinical trialling by helping select trial candidates. The system effectively uses anonymized patient data to identify patients with the highest match probabilities for specific trials. This will save research teams time and resources while delivering more accurate testing results for trial sponsors, ultimately resulting in more effective medications.
Wearable Technology and Healthcare
Wearable technology has the potential to transform healthcare delivery. These devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and medical wearables, can collect health data in real-time, providing healthcare professionals with a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health status.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers can monitor a patient’s heart rate, calories burned, and steps taken. With the help of wearable devices, doctors can monitor vital signs remotely, alerting them if the patient shows any signs of health deterioration.
Medical wearables, like continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients, can alert patients and healthcare professionals if there is a change in the patient’s vital signs or blood sugar levels. This ensures that patients receive prompt medical attention if their condition changes.
Whoop, a wearable fitness and health tracking company, is partnering with the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute to study the effect of fitness trackers on the early detection and treatment of COVID-19. This study aims to identify how fitness trackers can effectively monitor the health of patients outside the hospital setting and detect any worsening condition for prompt intervention.
The Benefits of AI and Wearable Technology
The benefits of AI and wearable technology in healthcare are numerous. By incorporating AI and wearable technology, healthcare can become more efficient, accurate, and personalized. Patients can benefit from better diagnoses, targeted treatments, and more effective disease management.
Moreover, with the ability to collect healthcare data in real-time, AI and wearable technology can be used to prevent illnesses from occurring in the first place. By identifying patterns and triggers for illnesses, healthcare providers can develop preventive healthcare plans that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Conclusion
AI and wearable technology have the potential to revolutionize patient care. With their ability to process data and monitor patients’ health in real-time, these new technologies are providing doctors and healthcare providers with a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health status. By incorporating AI and wearable technology, healthcare can become more efficient, accurate, and personalized. Ultimately, this can lead to a healthier population and reduced healthcare costs.
