Negative And Positive Trends In The Health Industry Right Now

It’s fair to say that the health industry is changing at a rapid pace. One of the factors shaping these quick developments is certainly the evolution of technology at the core of the modern healthcare system. Indeed, these days, it’s possible to completely separate healthcare and technology, for better or worse. One almost can not exist without the other. But, this isn’t the only factor that’s causing massive changes in the health industry. For instance, the coronavirus pandemic, as we’re going to explore, certainly takes a toll here too. The good news? Not all the changes are negative. In the midst of the chaos, there are positive changes to the healthcare system. So, let’s explore some of the trends that are shaping the health industry right now and what they could potentially mean for the future.

New Technology 

First, you should think about technology. As mentioned, technology is one of the driving forces that has changed how the healthcare system operates. A lot of these changes have been positive. For instance, researchers are constantly looking at how tech can be used to treat and provide the answers for a wide range of different health concerns. An example of this would be VR. VR is now being used and studied for mental health conditions, providing relief for symptoms connected to extreme levels of anxiety. 

Or, how about robotics. Robotics are now being used in key medical processes including surgery. The benefit of using robotics in situations like this is that it means the issue with human error can largely be removed. That’s important because medical malpractice lawsuits have been on the rise as of late. 

Of course, technology has also provided the answers to problems that became apparent during the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, during the pandemic, it was crucial that social contact was reduced as much as possible. One of the ways that this was achieved was by using the right digital technology including touchscreen devices. This was quickly set up in waiting rooms where they weren’t already being used. It was easier to sanitize these stations rather than keep interactions between patients and staff members as safe as possible while ensuring that patients continued to receive the right level of care and support. 

Antibiotic Resistance

The focus right now in the healthcare industry is almost certainly the coronavirus pandemic. However, many experts are warning about another horrendous disaster that is looming just over the horizon. Antibiotic resistance is not a new concern, but it has become more significant in recent years. Bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics are far more common these days. The problem is that this means there are viruses that can not be treated with antibiotics and this is causing a large number of deaths. Worse still, these viruses are born in hospitals and similar healthcare systems. So, patients can become sick due to their stays in hospital. As well as leading to numerous deaths, this issue is also a massive financial burden on the healthcare industry. This is money that could be spent elsewhere. That’s why it’s important for healthcare businesses to explore how antibiotic resistance can be reduced. Healthcare companies can see how to stop antibiotic overuse with Thermo Fisher. Companies like this are at the forefront of combating the issue by ensuring that medical issues can be diagnosed before antibiotics are prescribed in cases where they are largely going to be redundant. 

Virtual Solutions

As a whole, the healthcare sector is switching to a more virtual set up. One example of this would be the clinical trials sector. Clinical trials are now largely being completed remotely or from home in virtual settings as much as possible. Part of the reason is to ensure that participants can remain safe but it is also helping to ensure that the results received are valid and free from outside variables.

Doctors are also able to complete appointments virtually. While there is some debate as to whether these appointments are as effective as in-person treatment options, they are helping to keep individuals safe. It’s worth noting that many experts and analysts believe that virtual medical care is the new normal for the foreseeable future. 

Blockchain 

It’s definitely worth looking at the part the blockchain has to play in the healthcare industry. What is the blockchain? Simply put it is a type of software that can be used to decentralize a previously centralized system. The most popular use of this today is tied to the cryptocurrency market and the financial system. It is widely believed that the blockchain is the future of financial interactions. But experts are increasingly interested in how it could be used in other areas of society as well. If you guessed this included the healthcare system, then you are absolutely correct.

Blockchain can be used for more than just financial transactions. It could potentially be used to ensure that the data sent between hospitals remains secure and free from corruption. At the same time, the blockchain could also be used to guarantee that processes within the healthcare system are as efficient as possible. Essentially, this could be key to improving the level of care that a patient receives. Increasing efficiency in healthcare could also help combat the problem of long wait times that are disrupting the industry right now. 

Global Health System

It’s impossible to talk about the current trends in the healthcare sector without circling back, at least a few times, to the coronavirus pandemic. The reality is that during the pandemic, healthcare businesses across the globe were forced to come together in a way that was largely unprecedented. This level of teamwork and strategy building ensured that vaccines could be created quickly without any delays or issues. It ensures that vaccines could be distributed in ten months rather than ten years. One might assume that this level of cooperation will disappear once the concerns around the coronavirus pandemic begin to fade. Well, first it’s once again worth mentioning that the concerns around this virus, at least in professional circles, likely won’t fade for quite some time. While things will get better, we are now facing an epidemic. 

Second, even as things do improve it is hoped that the same level of global cooperation will remain. Today, this is easier than ever due to the level of tech at our fingertips. It’s simple to share massive levels of data on a global scale. It’s possible for teams in the medical field to interact and connect with one another, ensuring that patients can always access the absolute best levels of treatment on the market. This is true for both the private and the public sector. 

Security 

Finally, it’s worth exploring the growing security threat that is sweeping across the medical industry. Specifically, we’re talking about cyber threats. One might assume that cyber threats are few and far between in the world of healthcare. But this is not the case. Indeed, it’s quite common for there to be cyber issues that mean healthcare businesses are left vulnerable. Indeed, certain attacks on healthcare companies including ransomware attacks have increased dramatically in recent years. During a ransomware attack, hospitals and other key parts of the medical industry can be held hostage unless they meet the demands of a criminal fronting the attack. These demands can be based on financial demands or they may want access to sensitive data held by the company. Businesses have been taking steps to prevent attacks like these for years. It’s not time for medical companies to take the same approach and ensure that it is a top priority. 

One of the reasons that medical businesses are targeted is because hackers know that they don’t have the right level of security in place. This can be rectified, often by hiring a full IT management team. The right IT management team will ensure that that a business is not left vulnerable to an attack like this on the market. They can monitor critical systems in an IT company on a 24/7 basis. 

Training is going to be another factor here. Usually, if a business is left vulnerable it will be related to employees no having the right level of training to spot the danger. 

We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to know about the healthcare industry and the trends that are currently at the core, reshaping this sector. It’s important for business owners that are part of this industry to be aware of these trends. They will play a part in guaranteeing that healthcare providers can offer the best service possible to a massive variety of different patients. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that even negative situations such as the continuing pandemic can have a positive impact. A crucial example of this is the clinical trials industry which many experts agree was long overdue a shakeup. This arguably would never have occurred without the push that was present due to the needs during the pandemic to keep social distancing at the forefront.