Technology is currently changing the healthcare industry at an incredible high speed. Our ability to capture data from wearable devices such as smartwatches will give us the ability to increasingly predict and treat health issues in people even before they experience any symptoms (Marr, 2019).
When it comes to treatment, we will see much more personalized approaches. This is also referred to as “predictive medicines” which allows doctors to more precisely prescribe medicines and apply treatments, thanks to a data-driven understanding of how effective they are likely to be for a specific patient. Personalized or predictive medicine is based on use of biomarkers or phenotypic traits allowing for advance selection of optimal effective therapy or else to minimize undesirable side effects (Agache & Hellings, 2018).
Although not a new idea, thanks to recent developments in technology, especially in the area of genomics and AI, it is giving us a larger explanation of how different people’s bodies are better or worse equipped to fight off specific diseases, as well as how they are likely to react to different types of medication or treatment.
The use of AI could really set this development in motion even faster. What to think of using this for people to see how their body fights of COVID-19. It could protect the weaker people even better in order to open the world faster, this could be really useful for a future pandemic.
With smartwatches getting better and used more, the use of predictive medicines will become better and better. Also, the introduction of AI as well as good use of data could really develop the healthcare industry to a more personalized approach. As with business the last years, the consumer approach will also increase in healthcare.
References:
Agache, I., & Hellings, P. (2018). Implementing Precision Medicine in Best Practices of Chronic Airway Diseases. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.
Marr, B. (2019, 18 oktober). The 7 Biggest Technology Trends In 2020 Everyone Must Get Ready For Now. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/09/30/the-7-biggest-technology-trends-in-2020-everyone-must-get-ready-for-now/?sh=58e945e42261
Very interesting topic Nick!
The use of smartwatches is increasing and if the use of it could help the healthcare with your given examples, this would be very useful. In the future, we will face another pandemic such as COVID-19, I think. If we could counter the spread of it or protect the weaker people, we all would benefit from it.
Besides, this could help the whole healthcare industry. If your watch can tell you that you are having a cold, or facing other more urging medical problems, you can react to it in an early state. This can prevent other urgent problems. In this way, the total healthcare cost can be reduced. This will lead to a reduction of the healthcare insurance premium everyone has to pay.
I hope the functionalities using the smartwatches will increase in the near future. As you mentioned, AI could help the development of these extra functionalities. As it helps me to monitor my health state, I am really considering purchasing a smartwatch.
So Nick; Do you already have a smartwatch?
Hi Guus, thanks for your comment! Interesting opinion as well about smart watches. Personally, I don’t have one as I always had the opinion that my phone monitors enough for me. Maybe I should start considering one!
Hi Nick, very interesting blog.
In the extension of the personalised medicine, another interesting debate will probably take place.
Namely, should people who’s personalised medicine cost less than average also pay less health insurance.
I’m curious what you think