In 2022, we will see an explosion of new technologies that will change how people interact with each other and access medical services. These innovations will also affect the way doctors practice medicine.
Telemedicine will become commonplace
By 2022, telemedicine will be common place. This means that patients will be able to connect with physicians remotely via video chat, phone calls, text messages, and email. Patients will be able to use these tools to communicate with their doctor without having to travel to a clinic.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has been pushing for the adoption of telemedicine since
In 2016, the AMA released a report stating that telemedicine could save $2 billion annually in health care costs. The report stated that telemedicine would be able to help reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions.
Artificial Intelligence will be used to diagnose diseases
In addition to telemedicine, AI will also be used to diagnose diseases and other medical issues. Doctors will use AI to analyze data collected by sensors and wearable devices. They will then use this data to make diagnoses and recommend treatments.
The development of artificial intelligence has been growing rapidly since the 1980s. Today, AI is being used in many different ways. For example, Google uses AI to help people find information online. Facebook uses AI to identify images posted on social media. And Amazon uses AI to create recommendations for customers.
In the future, AI could be used to diagnose diseases such as cancer. Researchers at Stanford University are working on developing AI software that can analyze medical data and detect patterns in patient symptoms. Once the software detects a pattern, doctors would then be able to determine if a person needs further testing.
The first step toward using AI to diagnose disease is collecting data from patients. Wearable devices collect data from patients’ bodies, while smartphones collect data from patients‘ daily lives. These data are stored in databases that researchers can access.
Virtual Reality will be used to help patients cope with their conditions
Virtual reality (VR) has been used as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD since the 1990s. VR allows people to immerse themselves in a simulated environment where they feel safe and comfortable. It helps them overcome fears and phobias, and reduces stress levels.
In recent years, virtual reality has become increasingly popular among health professionals. The technology has been used to treat everything from depression to eating disorders. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that women who were treated using VR had fewer symptoms of postpartum depression than those who received standard therapy. Another study showed that VR helped reduce anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder. And a new study suggests that VR could be used to help patients deal with chronic pain.
In addition to helping patients cope with their conditions, VR has also been shown to improve physical fitness. For example, one study found that participants who played a game called “The Walk” while wearing VR headsets walked faster and covered more distance than those who did not wear the headsets. Researchers believe that the immersive nature of VR makes it easier for users to focus on walking without being distracted by other thoughts.
Blockchain technology will be used to track patient data
In addition to VR, blockchain technology is also being used to track patient data and improve medical care. This new method of tracking patients uses blockchain technology to store and share patient data securely.
The healthcare industry has been plagued by fraud and abuse for years. Patients often receive unnecessary treatments and procedures because doctors aren't able to verify whether the treatment is necessary. With blockchain technology, patients can easily access their health records online and see if they've received any unnecessary treatments.
In 2017, the US government passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which included $1 billion dollars to develop new technologies to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic diseases. One of those technologies is blockchain, which is being used to create a secure database where patients can store their medical information. By using blockchain, patients can easily access and share their health records online.
More people will use wearable tech
Wearables are becoming increasingly popular as consumers seek ways to stay connected with friends and family while on the go. According to research by IDC, the global market for wearables was $1.8 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $6.7 billion by 2020.
The most common types of wearables include smartwatches, fitness trackers, activity trackers, and sleep monitors. Smartwatches are devices that combine a smartphone with a watch. Fitness trackers measure physical activities such as steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, and duration of exercise. Activity trackers monitor daily activities such as sleeping patterns, eating habits, and movement. Sleep monitors help users get better rest by tracking sleep cycles and providing feedback on sleep quality.