How Advances Are Improving Patient Monitoring, Diagnostics and Treatment
Smart technology is omnipresent in our lives, from our phones to our vehicles to our homes. We have the ability to gather information at the push of a button, lock and unlock doors to our home from miles away and even travel from here to there without getting behind the wheel of a car. Smart technology is also transforming healthcare, from the initial diagnosis of a medical condition to ongoing monitoring and even follow-up appointments.
The Use of Smart Technology in Medical Diagnostics
Smart technology is increasingly being used to help medical professionals pinpoint causes of injury or illness. For example, the technology currently exists to digitally analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, and identify characteristics or indications of illness, such as cancer, pneumonia and even skin lesions. AI (artificial intelligence) also has the capability to collate and evaluate extensive quantities of data, such as genetic information and medical records, to pre-screen individuals for certain types of illness. Smart technology has also been used to evaluate different treatment options and predict potential outcomes, based on a wide range of complex medical factors.
Using Smart Technology to Monitor and Manage Your Health
Advancements in smart technology have made it possible for medical practitioners and patients to more accurately monitor and manage a wide range of health issues. Wearable sensors, such as heart monitors, have been around for some time, but the technology is now available for some types of implants. For example, some stents allow for the flow of fluids to be managed from outside the body. In addition, sensors are now available to allow users and care providers to monitor and compile data related to activity levels and even sleep patterns.
Smart medicine now makes it possible for many practitioners to remotely monitor patients with chronic conditions and to schedule remote appointments for individuals with mobility or travel restrictions.
Some Specific Examples of Smart Technology in Medicine
Surgical robots have been used for complex and minimally invasive procedures for some time now. Other cutting-edge uses of smart technology in medicine include:
- Smart inhalers, used primarily with patients with chronic respiratory ailments, allowing tracking of inhalation and management of medication
- Smart contact lenses, used in diabetes management for monitoring glucose levels
- Smart toilets, which automatically test bodily wastes for evidence of disease
