5 Future Predictions About Healthcare Technology in 2021

What is healthcare technology?

Technology in healthcare commonly referred to as ‘health tech,’ implies the use of new technology in health care for improving some or overall aspects of the healthcare system. Healthcare IT technology gives insights into new technologies in the medical field and provides updates about new technologies in healthcare. The current US health industry is faced with cost problems and is finding ways to implement new healthcare technologies. That’s why technology for healthcare is gaining increasing importance. Tech in healthcare integrates technology-infused tools in each step of healthcare experience to determine quality and efficiency.

Healthcare information technology is the future of medical care, and much can be learned from the latest health and technology news. Technologies in healthcare apply knowledge and skills in the form of tools and devices and new innovations for resolving healthcare challenges. The main purpose of technology in healthcare is to improve health centers’ productivity, manage staff and operational processes, and enhance access to quality healthcare. With healthcare technology, the medical sector can deal with or improve ongoing issues such as high costs, long waiting times, limited access to insurance, and healthcare providers.

Trends in healthcare technology

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the US and global medical sector in 2020. The healthcare technology trends indicate a slow, but ongoing growth and innovation in the health sector. Technological trends in healthcare are marked by advances such as AI and digital technology to deal with crises and improve virtual care. Telemedicine, mobile health, virtual conferencing, and the internet of medical things (IoMT) are emerging healthcare technology trends. Health technology trends of 2020 also observed an increase in healthcare wearables and sensors, cloud computing, big data, and predictive analysis.

These digital healthcare trends highlights that the healthcare industry is adapting to the changing environment to provide better care to patients. In the year 2020, the US and global healthcare industry faced new challenges but these were also accompanied by new technology for healthcare. Tech predictions suggest that health care technology advances will continue in 2021. Let’s have a look at the technology trend in healthcare and the latest health technologies in healthcare that would rise in 2021

Top 5 future estimations for the healthcare technology

Patient First Approach

Patient First is a program to Develop healthcare IT Solutions for educating patients about healthcare. Patient First aims to educate patients and make their user-experience easy through responsive innovations in health and technology. Patients can learn about potential health concerns, the risk factors, and what they can do to deal with such issues. The Patient First Approach aimed at making people self-aware and motivated towards healthcare will continue to trend in 2021. It includes all the latest healthcare technologies, such as patient engagement, mHealth solutions, and UI/UX platforms that are user-friendly. Online health insurance technology is also available from 2020, and it will also be popular in 2021.

Better remote patient monitoring

Since 2020, the association of technology and healthcare has seen a rise in virtual healthcare, which means more online appointments, real-time televisits, and remote care. Physicians would need to monitor vitals and keep track of health conditions of the patients. This can be achieved easily by remote patient monitoring (RPM). RPM tools include internet-based devices such as health bands, blood pressure cuffs, blood-oxygen sensors, IoT glucose meters, and IoT thermometers. Real-time data can be collected through these devices, which the physicians can receive and interpret online.  

Health Equity

One of the important focus areas of technology in healthcare today is health equity. Health equity means eliminating unfair and avoidable differences in health among population groups based on social, economic, demographic, or geographic factors. Disparities in health care access due to race, ethnicity, and geography increased during the pandemic in 2020. The emphasis on the social determinants of health and diversity equity and inclusion is expected to rise in 2021. The need for new technology in healthcare also grew rapidly. Health technology news reported that health equity would continue to gain major attention in 2021. As per the tech predictions for 2021, providers, suppliers, and payers will invest time in addressing health equity to provide better health accessible to everyone.

Data sharing and interoperability

2021 may possibly deal with more data in 2020 due to the tests and results of COVID-19 vaccines. Interoperability would be extremely important in healthcare tech this year and a major priority. Data sharing and interoperability will be integrated into the ongoing advancements in the US health industry’s IT infrastructure. Thus, we can anticipate that integrated care services will be more accessible in 2021 because of the newest health care technology and improved and secure data sharing and interoperability systems.

Telemedicine for mental health care

Studies in US tech and health have revealed that more than half of the USA’s adult population suffers from mental conditions but are unable to receive treatment. Real-time care access was a major concern in 2020 when the world faced a pandemic situation, and health access was limited. Telemedicine soared high in 2020 and is likely to be a popular technology for health in 2021. Telemedicine applications can provide easy access to quality care, which would greatly serve the US’s mental health sector. Physicians can conduct counseling sessions or therapy through new technologies in healthcare like video-conferencing and can contact patients through the chatbox feature. Telehealth technology is a convenient and accessible way for patients with mental illness to receive quality care anytime from anywhere.