The COVID-19 crisis has incentivized innovation and transformation in many industries around the world, healthcare included. Even if we didn’t have a global pandemic on our hands, it’s important to note that the healthcare sector is constantly evolving and changing. This is a natural process, as companies and healthcare institutions need to continuously meet the ever-changing demands of the public, while adopting new medical solutions, practices, and treatments.
From adopting a more holistic approach to treatment by factoring nutrition and psychological health into the process, to technological innovation that brings a better experience to patients, all the way to leading research that helps fight serious health conditions – healthcare is always evolving.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the five innovations and some breakthroughs in the healthcare industry that will revolutionize the way we treat patients and receive treatment.
The Drive Towards Adopting Telehealth
Technology and health go hand in hand in today’s digital world, especially when we consider the need to bring a better healthcare experience to a rising global population. As the global population continues to rise and healthcare systems become overburdened, it’s important to start adopting new ways to alleviate the pressure. One of the solutions is, of course, telehealth.
Telehealth is not a new concept, but it is definitely an innovative one as it is becoming more accessible and functional to a broader public every year. Now that people around the world are increasingly gaining access to digital technology and the internet, it only stands to reason that telehealth becomes more present in our everyday lives.
However, it’s not just about pure convenience. Keep in mind that innovations like telehealth are pivotal in the fight against global pandemics like COVID-19. Diagnosing and treating patients remotely will alleviate the pressure off the healthcare system while keeping immunocompromised patients safe.
Healthcare Institutions Are Becoming More Specialized
As the needs of patients around the world continue to evolve and change over time, investors and business leaders in the healthcare industry need to adapt their business strategies. In the years and decades to come, we can expect to see greater specialization of healthcare institutions and medical practices in an attempt to bring a higher level of care to patients suffering from all kinds of chronic and acute conditions.
These hyper-specialized spaces will focus on dealing with a specific set of problems and groups of illnesses through specialized, high-end equipment, tailored care and treatment programs, and more. This will not only alleviate the pressure off the general hospitals, but it will invariably raise the standard for the care and treatment of patients suffering from serious illnesses like cancer.
Leading the Way in Immunotherapy Research
Speaking of life-threatening illnesses like cancer, it’s important to recognize the effort and work of research teams around the world that are finding innovative ways to fight severe illnesses. Research is continuously ongoing in the battle against cancer, and one of the most notable and promising breakthroughs has come to light at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU).
A young scholar, Dr Chow Kwan Ting, and her team have received the prestigious 2019 Croucher Innovation Award for their work on plasmacytoid dendritic cells that can lead the way for the future of immunotherapy and possible vaccines for cancer.
The research team from CityU is one of many research teams around the world working on innovative ways to fight various forms of cancers, some of which will be adopted in leading medical institutions in the years and decades to come.
The Shift Towards a More Holistic Approach to Health
The human body can suffer from numerous ailments at the same time, all of which can contribute to the manifestation of a single, overbearing illness that cannot be treated with a single pill. Rather, modern problems require modern, holistic solutions, which is why we can expect to see healthcare workers and entire institutions starting to adopt a more holistic approach to diagnosing and treating patients.
For example, the healthcare workers of the near future will take into account all factors that might contribute to a certain illness to provide a more comprehensive solution to the patient. From examining how the patient manages their stress and anxiety, to analyzing their nutrition and physical activity, all the way to concrete tests and medical treatments, the holistic approach to medicine is expected to revolutionize the way we look at healthcare.
Bridging the Gap between Hospitals and Nature
Lastly, it’s important to note that medical institutions are increasingly adopting the biophilic design in an attempt to aid treatment and elevate the comfort of patients and staff. The long-term health benefits of having gardens in hospitals are indisputable, and patients are nowadays demanding to spend time in the outdoors rather than being cooped up in a hospital room. What’s more, healthcare leaders are increasingly recognizing the need to bridge this gap in an attempt to bring a better overall service to their patients and elevate their success rate.
Wrapping Up
The healthcare industry is always changing and evolving, and nowadays it is being pushed even further by the COVID-19 crisis. There is no denying that healthcare has a bright future ahead, and if these solutions are implemented, patients around the world will finally have access to world-class treatment and care.
Biography:
Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer, and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about eco-friendly and green topics, sustainable fashion, eco beauty, and conscious business. She loves sharing meaningful content that inspires people and has covered topics ranging from organic products and sustainability to self-care and mental health.
