Over the course of more than fifty years in the search and recruitment business, MRINetwork recruiters specializing in all sectors of the healthcare industry have been on the frontlines of new advancements and technologies. They have responded to these changes by anticipating the employment needs of the healthcare community and seeking out the professionals needed to keep abreast of the complexities that surround the industry. In the first five months of 2024, they have already filled hundreds of critical positions, including managers, CPOs, directors and analysts.
In the past decade, significant advancements have been made in medical research and technology that have improved the overall healthcare experience for patients and made it easier for doctors to provide better, more efficient care. For example, electronic medical records (EMRs) have replaced paper files in medical practices and hospitals, and artificial intelligence (AI) is currently being used in medical chatbots to field patient questions, connect patients to clinicians, and improve patient engagement.
Considering the potential impact of these technologies, from improved diagnosis and treatment plans to faster, more efficient administrative processes, what’s next on the horizon for doctors and patients? Here are four predictions for medical technology of the future:
Doctors will rely on wearable tech for real-time insights. Wearable technology is already popular among some consumer groups, particularly fitness enthusiasts. As this technology becomes more efficient and less obtrusive to everyday activity, experts say it will likely become a big part of the medical community, providing doctors with patients’ real-time health information.
Waiting rooms will be phased out. Although the waiting room experience has already become more streamlined with advances such as online check-ins, experts say waiting rooms will continue to become more efficient in the future or will even disappear altogether.
Up to a quarter of visits will happen virtually. More and more patients are taking advantage of telemedicine to connect with doctors via video chat, and many are currently able to order new prescriptions through patient portals, saving them a trip to the doctor’s office. Over the next decade, this trend is expected to rise.
Patients will take more ownership of their personal health data. Patients want greater control over their own healthcare. In the future, patients and doctors could satisfy this demand by charting their visits together, which would allow patients to share more of their story. Patients often share a lot of detail during their visit with their doctor, much of which is lost during the note-taking process.