Healthcare Automation Trends to Look Forward To
The healthcare industry has seen a massive technological transformation across the globe and automation has inspired progress, innovation and efficiency. Similarly, digitalisation brought about by IoT technologies is enabling intelligent automation procedures which enhance productivity and allow for better healthcare outcomes.
The healthcare IT market is expected to top $390 billion (£302 billion) by 2024 and while it has been resistant to large-scale technological change, it is sensitive to the ‘butterfly effect’, where even small-scale changes can have dramatic effects. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the trends disrupting healthcare in the next few years.
3D Printing
Much like it has transformed other industries, 3D printing is enabling customisation, prototyping and in-house manufacturing for healthcare. The global market for 3D printing is expected to reach $2.3 billion (£1.8 billion) by next year, and it’s not surprising. From producing physical objects like a 3D printed model of a human heart to printing prosthetics, the technology has afforded much more patient-specific and personalised care for every individual. Additionally, many medical devices and surgical tools can be 3D printed cost-effectively and in less time. New 3D printing technologies like tissue engineering is revolutionising the industry and enables medical professionals to recreate intricate body parts and organs that were not possible a few years ago.
Marketing
Through effective patient engagement and personalisation, marketing automation can improve long-term customer experience and have a substantial return on investment. Medium explains that a marketing automation program allows marketers to be more strategic in creating an efficient targeted campaign to reach out to patients. It eliminates repetitive tasks and allows marketers to focus more on strategic thinking and learning. The process of automation is most effective, however, when used in conjunction with a comprehensive marketing strategy. This is why healthcare professionals should be leaning on SEO as a way to inform patients of their services, as well as gather and analyse the right data. Ayima Kickstart regards SEO as one of the most crucial aspects of digital marketing, noting how establishing a ranking presence in Google is no easy feat for any business or website. While a variety of factors need to be considered when creating a marketing automation program, the most important aspect is the digital marketers themselves, who’s effort will ultimately drive better patient outcomes and experiences.
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR & AR)
The technology has made a huge impact in the gaming industry but it’s now being used for vital purposes in healthcare automation. With VR and AR in the healthcare market reaching $5.1 billion (£3.9 billion) in the next 5 years, the technology is becoming an indispensable tool for training and surgery simulation. While VR has helped patients with trauma, PTSD, depression, cancer, and autism, AR is helping surgeons during brain surgery and other complex procedures.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
With the rapid growth of AI, it’s potential in the industry is strong in the field of marketing automation, that we mentioned, but more importantly as an invaluable tool that can reduce and mitigate the risk of preventable medical scenarios. One of its most important uses is to discover those in need of medical intervention and generate alerts for medical staff to create custom care plans. AI-enabled robots can also act as physicians to diagnose and triage minor medical issues, while health practitioners and doctors concentrate on more serious cases. With AI in healthcare estimated to grow to a $6.6 billion (£5.1 billion) industry by 2021, it can help reduce the spread of disease and help populations stay healthier.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Geomiq. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world analytic products as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of any Geomiq Employee.
