Technology is evolving at a faster pace than ever before and affecting every part of our lives, including medicine. In the recent past, it has brought a number of remarkable changes to the health industry so much so that the healthcare field you see today is not what it was just five years ago. Multiple medical issues like heart failure, diabetes and even cancer are these days researched and solved with the help of remarkable new technologies.

Also, there have been huge breakthroughs in research, data collection, diagnosis, treatments, and medical devices which have had a huge impact in the healthcare industry. This advancement was largely possible due to technology and innovative digital solutions that are introduced almost on a daily basis.

Healthcare Information Technology Market in India

Healthcare technology solutions have modernized medical care by reducing the high cost of treatment and helping patients avoid medical tests that are not necessary. For example, performing insulin and other tests at home can be quicker and more cost-effective than visiting hospital for the same. In other words, technology has solved major problems that the world of medicine faced. Have a look at some of the healthcare apps that help you track your fitness.

In India, the Healthcare Technology market was valued at USD 1 billion in April 2016 and was expected to grow 1.5 times by 2020. Thanks to technology, now better and more accessible treatment is available for a wide variety of diseases; more efficient care is provided for the sick and better health care and disease control methods are also in place.

Technology Revolutionizing Diagnosis & Treatment

We know that effective treatment of critical illness like cancer requires continuous tracking of the patient's progress over days, weeks, months and years. Previously, it was not possible to monitor these changes in the patients' body. But technology has made it possible for doctors to store medical images and records of patients electronically, which can be compared to previous images for more effective treatment. So, let’s look at how technology is revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment of diseases .

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has transformed the healthcare industry in several different ways. This technology is being used to produce patient-specific organ replicas that can help surgeons in practicing before they perform actual surgery. Preparing a replica, which can be used both prior to and during surgery, through this technique speeds up surgery procedures and minimizes trauma for patients. Also, 3D printing allows the patient to design a prosthetic that corresponds directly to his needs.

Application of big data in healthcare is not only saving lives but money also. A huge amount of data, generated from patient records, diagnosis, treatments and medical research, is available to the healthcare industry, which if analyzed can offer significant insights in the field of medicine. It helps in assessing methods and treatments faster than ever before. For example, doctors can make more accurate diagnoses and recommend better treatments by studying patient treatment histories. This data can also be used to predict recurrences of diseases.

A study published in the Lancet has found that artificial intelligence (AI) is just as good at diagnosing a disease based on medical imaging as healthcare professionals. Over 80 % of all healthcare data comes from medical imaging technology and the majority of it remains unanalysed. If AI, with all its advancements, is applied into it, it could reshape medical diagnostics. Not only diagnosis, AI can also help in finding possible treatments of various diseases.

Virtual healthcare technology is the distribution of health-related assistance and information through technology and digital solutions. It allows patients to share important data related to their problems with doctors and monitor their own health at home. This also includes doctors and physicians sharing their knowledge and expertise at video conferences or by using mobile applications. This remote monitoring allows patients to reduce the time and cost of recurring visits to the hospital.

In the recent past, there has been a rise in health technology applications that have changed the way patients and doctors interact. Now, tracking sleep patterns, counting calories, researching diagnosis and treatment options, and monitoring heart rate is possible via smartphone apps. With this, people feel empowered with more medical knowledge and they can also have their say in medical decisions.

Technological growth in the healthcare sector offers excellent benefits, including better patient-care management, reducing risk factors, improving process efficiencies and decision making and, above all, predicting the future course of diagnosis and treatments.

Having said that, there is absolutely no harm in being prepared for unforeseen circumstances like a dreadful critical illness. Generali Central Heart and Health Insurance Plan is a comprehensive critical illness insurance plan that protects you financially against 59 critical illnesses and is easily available online with a 5% discount.