INTRODUCTION:
Technology drives healthcare more than any other force, and in the future, it will continue to develop in dramatic ways. While we can glimpse and debate the details of future trends in healthcare, we need to be clear about the drivers so we can align with them and actively work to ensure the best outcomes for society as a whole (H. Thimbleby, 2013).
If we would allow the health care workers (HCW) from the past to glance at today's achievements, no doubts they would be surprised. The changes they would be surprised about are all the changes to technology. For example, the nurses from the past would be amazed to know that we do not use gravity work anymore, but automated pumps to deliver intravenous medications. Doctors from the past would be amazed to see how implanted defibrillators could be controlled by telephone lines and web sites to keep cardiologists up to date with their patients. The surgeons from the past would be fascinated to see laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
Future technological innovation is going to keep transforming healthcare with new drugs and treatments, new devices, new social media support for healthcare, etc. (Thimbleby, 2013). In this blog post some of the predictions on the future of healthcare would be contemplated.
CANADIANS PREDICTIONS ON THE FUTURE HEALTHCARE:
Canadians have high expectations for health in the next 10 years, with many believing things like connected health and virtual care are likely to happen, and a majority think these will have a positive impact on their lives. The anticipation that technology will lead to even greater improvements in the health care system should not come as a surprise as Canadians have experienced rapid growth of new technologies across all aspects of their lives over the last decade and a half (Canadian Medical Association, 2019).
When it comes to their health, Canadians anticipate being even more connected in the next 10 years, and a majority believing these will make their lives better. In the next 10 years, Canadians think it is likely…
Canadians also recognize the role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in the future of health care. Nearly 6 in 10 think it is likely that in the next 10 years AI programs or robots will be able to provide real health care services, such as robot assisted surgery, early diagnosis, etc. and over half think it is likely that AI programs will be able to accurately diagnose various diseases and conditions. Seven in 10 Canadians believe medical appointments are likely to be booked through an AI system in the next 10 years. Over two-thirds believe these advancements in AI technology will have a positive impact on their lives (Canadian Medical Association, 2019).
Canadians are ready for a more connected approach to health care. A majority of Canadians are interested in virtual care, with many believing this to be a step in the right direction for the health care system that will lead to improved access, more timely care and better health care overall. While there is much optimism, Canadians remain concerned about losing the human connection of health care (77%), putting their privacy at risk (75%) or opening the door to private health care (71%) (Canadian Medical Association, 2019).
CONCLUSION:
So far, technology served us well in many aspects of our lives, including healthcare. We should strive for better connection between patients and HCWs. We also should insist for better use of health information platforms and an increase in access to virtual care, which will not only make the healthcare more effective, but also could lead to improvements of health outcomes in general.
References:
The Future of Connected Health Care: Reporting Canadians' Perspective on the Health Care System. (2019, August). Retrieved from Canadian Medical Association : https://www.cma.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/Media-Releases/The-Future-of-Connected-Healthcare-e.pdf
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