The world is significantly different from what it was ten years ago. The pandemic and the financial downturn have dramatically changed the healthcare landscape. Here are some predictions for how the healthcare industry will change in 2023.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Machine learning tools are expected to reach a market value of over $20 million in 2023. Several AI-based technologies, such as natural language processing and computer vision, are already widely used in the healthcare industry. As the evidence of their usefulness grows, more people will start adopting these tools.
In the drug discovery industry, AI can help predict the outcomes of clinical trials and the potential side effects of new medications. It can also analyze medical imagery to spot the early signs of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In treating neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it has been used to detect and treat these illnesses using computer vision.
In addition to being used in the clinical field, AI can also be used in other areas, such as analyzing medical records and processing insurance claims. This technology can be used to provide early warnings and recommendations to patients.
Remote Healthcare Technologies
During the pandemic, the number of people who receive healthcare services remotely increased significantly. Even though it’s generally safe to return to face-to-face meetings, many providers and patients realize that remote care can be more cost-effective and efficient.
There are various types of remote healthcare services. Some of these include home-based care and those focused on providing a familiar environment to patients. The evidence shows that proximity to a family and a familiar environment can help improve the outcomes of patients.
Telemedicine is a remote healthcare service that allows patients to receive a video call or visit their doctor instead of going to a physical location. Another type of remote healthcare service is a virtual hospital ward, which is a type of facility that allows practitioners to provide care for multiple patients at a central location.
Online communities are also becoming more prevalent, and these can be patient-led or run by organizations focused on specific health conditions. Some examples include Care Opinion, Patients Like Me, and Cancer.org.
Due to the increasing cost of providing in-person healthcare and the shortage of medical practitioners in various countries, it’s widely believed that the number of remote healthcare services will continue to grow in 2023.
Commercial Healthcare
A study conducted by Forrester revealed that the amount of healthcare business that will be conducted through retail outlets in 2023 is expected to double. This is due to the increasing number of retailers offering various healthcare services, such as blood tests and vaccinations.
The increasing number of retail outlets will also contribute to developing new healthcare services that are more convenient and effective for consumers. These new offerings are being created due to the increasing number of consumers who are demanding a better and more cost-effective alternative to traditional primary care.
Unlike traditional healthcare providers, retail outlets are much more accessible and can provide a more convenient and effective service to consumers. They also do not require patients to book an appointment in advance. In addition, they are less affected by the shortage of trained clinical staff members in various countries.
Wearables
In 2023, wearable technology will be used by individuals to monitor their health and exercise activity. This type of technology will also be used by clinicians to keep track of their patients.
The rise of the Internet of Medical Things has led to the development of various wearable technology products. Some of these include smartwatches that can monitor a person’s blood oxygen levels and heart rate and smart gloves that can help patients with Parkinson’s disease avoid experiencing tremors.
Besides physical illness, the development of wearable technology that can also be used to monitor mental health conditions is also being carried out. A study conducted this year revealed that certain physical indicators can be used to detect people who are at risk of developing depression.
Personalization
In 2023, patients will be able to receive personalized healthcare services. This type of delivery involves using the use of precision medicine, which involves the use of drugs and other treatments that are tailored to patients based on their genetics, age, and risk factors.
Personalized healthcare involves taking into account a patient’s genome or genetic information, which can be used by healthcare practitioners to predict the effectiveness of certain drugs and their side effects. With the help of AI and ML algorithms, these predictions can also be made.
Personalized healthcare refers to the process of creating a personalized treatment plan for a patient, which usually involves considering their own conditions, beliefs, and circumstances when making decisions regarding their treatment. This type of approach is also commonly used in the delivery of healthcare services. As the economy and industry outside of healthcare continue to develop, every form of personalization is expected to be a major trend in 2023.