What will the future look like for medicine? How will healthcare change? How will healthcare become more digital? What digital trends in healthcare are worth our attention? And which ones will be hype? These are the most common questions that industry professionals and healthcare professionals ask.
The 2022-23 update to The Top 20 Digital Health trends for the near future highlighted 20 potential developments in the next 2-5 years. These are based upon our analysis of relevant technologies and trends that we have been continuously monitoring.
We encourage you to download a LeanPub copy for our exclusive insight into the 20 trends we believe will be most important in shaping the digital healthcare landscape in the future.
We have prepared this article to give you a preview of the e-book’s 3 main trends.
Strategies that “Around the Pill” indicate the future business model of the pharmaceutical industry
Take your medication as prescribed, get a prescription and continue these steps throughout the duration of your treatment. In some cases, it may even last a lifetime. This was the traditional relationship between patients, the drug industry, and their patients. However, it is no longer valid in today’s digital age.
This outdated dynamic can be reformed by “around the pills” strategies. These strategies combine a pharmacological product and a digital service to provide a package for patients. Roche, a pharmaceutical giant, had this strategy in mind when they acquired mySugr. Roche created the mySugr Bundle by pairing mySugr’s innovative diabetes management app and their Accu-Chek Guide glucose monitor. This bundle enhanced diabetics’ management. In 2021, they integrated the app with Novo Nordisk smart insulin pens.
Partners Healthcare Center, a Japanese drugmaker Daichii-Sankyo, also collaborated to create a digital “around-the-pill” offering for cardiac patients. This approach is one that payers, providers, and pharma companies alike will love in the future because it makes the offering more appealing for all.
Manufacturers of portable diagnostic devices might follow the lead of ECG companies.
The regulatory measures are necessary to bring clinical-grade, portable diagnostic devices into clinical practice. This can take several years, if not decades. Companies could take a look at the route taken by portable ECG monitor manufacturers like AliveCor to accelerate them.
The company’s FDA-approved portable ECG unit was released in 2012. Since then, AliveCor has been pushing to have the devices in clinical trials and refining their designs. AliveCor products had been tested in over 60 clinical trials, incorporating technologies such as A.I., by 2022. A study compared their device to a 12-lead ECG, which is bulky and traditional.
Companies developing new technologies may want to follow in the footsteps of such devices, which have the longest record of regulatory approvals. They could also lead the regulatory race and be an advantage over their competition while creating a safer adoption environment.
Virtual visits and chatbots are now part of primary care.
Healthcare increasingly turned to online solutions, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 epidemic and subsequent physical restrictions. Chatbots and Telemedicine are becoming integral parts of our healthcare system.
Many chatbots have been created to help with risk assessment from faraway locations. Emory University’s Coronavirus Checker chatbot assessed your COVID-19 risk and provided recommendations according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Microsoft’s Healthcare Bot service also collaborated with the former to create the Coronavirus Self Checker bot that will help users decide whether or not to get tested.
These chatbots were still useful after the pandemic and are used to triage patients and assist nurses in their duties.
The pandemic caused telemedicine visits to increase, much like chatbots. Some services saw a 158% increase in use. Telemedicine is becoming more popular among providers.
Patients and doctors will need to be prepared to adapt to new methods, as access to primary care is a key component of the pandemic.
Healthcare trends that matter
These 3 glimpses should give you an idea about what to expect from the complete e-book about the healthcare-defining trends in the near future. We also walk you through each section with relevant descriptions and examples. We also include reading suggestions at each section. These are useful for those who want to delve deeper into the topic.
We hope the e-book will provide context for digital health developments in the future and help to determine where it is heading. Once you have read the e-book, please share your comments with us!
Written By Dr. Bertalan Mesko and Dr. Pranavsingh Dahunnoo
|
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The Medical Futurist published The Top 20 Digital Health Trends for the Near Future: Here’s The 2022-23 Ebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alternative Medicine?
It is a healing approach that focuses on prevention instead of treating. It encourages people be educated consumers, actively participating in their own health and well being.
Alternative medicine refers generally to any form of diagnosis or treatment that does away with allopathic (conventional), medical approaches.
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They seek to avoid dangerous drugs and surgeries.
- They believe natural remedies work best.
- They prefer non-invasive treatments.
- They are looking to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They desire more control over their healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They desire less stress in the lives of others.
- They want greater freedom to choose their doctors and healthcare plans.
- They want their children receive a better education.
- They want to eat healthy food for their family and themselves.
- They are looking for safe and effective medication.
What is the difference between alternative medicine, complementary medicine and other medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments not considered conventional by mainstream medical professionals but have been shown to provide benefits for certain conditions. These include homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology as well as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and naturopathy. Complementary Medicines are treatments that add to the treatment of conventional medicine. They may also be used in combination with it. These include dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and other natural substances.
Both forms of medicine may be used. However, most conventional doctors will not recommend them due either to insufficient evidence nor safety concerns.
There is no consensus among health care providers regarding the best approach to integrating CAM into patient care.
Many CAM practices are based upon theories that have been around for thousands of years. However, clinical trials over the past 20 years suggest that some of these therapies might work.
Many studies show that acupuncture may help relieve pain. It may also reduce nausea and vomiting that are associated with chemotherapy, according to preliminary data. Studies have also shown that acupuncture may reduce symptoms of irritable-bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
Experts agree that CAM can help with many ailments, even though we still have a lot to learn about its effectiveness.
As a result, more and more people are turning to CAM practitioners for relief from common illnesses.
Despite this popularity, many people still have questions about “alternatives” and “complementary” medicine.
Why is alternative medicine important
Alternative medicines are very popular because they’re often cheaper and better for you than traditional treatments. However, there have been many cases where patients have died after taking these treatments, sometimes due to side effects such as allergic reactions. It’s also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
Alternative medicines can also be dangerous if you don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. Vitamin supplements, for example, are not regulated like pharmaceuticals. It is easy to overdose on vitamins. To make matters worse, there are alternative remedies that contain toxic chemicals.
What are alternative medicine examples?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homeopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture as well as nutritional therapy such like reiki.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health? NCCIH
webmd.com
How To
What products can be used in holistic medicines?
The best way to describe these products would be as “natural” but not necessarily organic. These products could have been grown naturally without pesticides or fertilizers. But they were also processed in a way that is safer for your health. Some herbs can cause allergic reactions and may need to have different preparations depending on the individual. The herbs sold in health food stores are more standard than those found at grocery stores. These herbs often have higher levels of herbicides than those sold at grocery stores.
The majority of herbal supplements are made from dried plants. Some people prefer buying them in liquid form, which tends to be cheaper. They are still safer, however. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. The product may lose its original potency. Most herbal supplements are not subject to quality control before they are sold.
Most herbs and spices are added to food once it is cooked. These condiments include ketchup and mustard, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, soup mixtures, and marinades.
Supplements are usually taken orally (by chewing). Most vitamins and minerals come in tablet form. Other vitamins and minerals can be purchased in capsules.
Homeopathic remedies are highly concentrated substances made from plants, animals, minerals, or synthetics. They are intended to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. Although they are called “homeopathic,” they do not work like regular medications. Instead, they act on the body’s immune system to restore balance and promote wellness. Homeopathic remedies can be considered safe and non-toxic. They are used extensively in Europe, Canada and Australia, New Zealand as well as South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles at specific points on the meridians of your bodies. This is based on traditional Chinese medical theories that energy channels are the pathways through which life force flows. The theory states that illness occurs when blockages occur in these channels. It is believed that energy flow can be restored by stimulating specific points along the meridian lines using fine needles. The body then returns to normal operation.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine to correct misalignments of the bones. This technique was developed in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, an American doctor. He claimed that he could diagnose illness and cure them by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments, muscle tests and percussion.
Chiropractic has been very popular in the last few decades. Many believe that it works better for back pain than conventional medicine.
Massage therapy includes rubbing, tapping or tapping on muscles, joints, or other body parts. Massage can loosen tight muscles, relax tension and soothe sore muscles. Massage therapists use Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports, reflexology, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and others.
Reflexology can be described as alternative medicine. It involves applying pressure to certain areas on the feet and hands with thumb pads or fingers. This method, according to reflexologists, stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to reduce stress, increase well-being and improve moods. Essential oils are therapeutic as their chemical makeup can benefit health conditions such arthritis treatment to headache relief. Aromatherapy comes in many forms, including:
Craniosacral Treatment uses gentle touch for pain relief and discomfort. Cranial refers the skull and sacrum, which in Latin means “sac”, is cranial sacral therapy. This therapy involves the application of light pressure to different areas on the head, neck and shoulders. The therapist also moves her/his hands along the patient’s body.
Cupping therapy involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping is often combined with acupuncture or moxibustion (burning herbs) and may be used for detoxification.
Dietary supplements are oral or topical products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of94 is the FDA’s regulation of dietary supplements. To be sold legally, a diet supplement must meet two conditions. First, the product must be a “dietary ingredient” which means it contains more that one percent of a vitamin mineral, herb or other botanical on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized As Safe List. It must be manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices. That means its ingredients were properly handled at every stage of production.
Electrotherapy uses electricity to stimulate the nerves and muscles. The most common type of electrotherapy is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Low-level electrical pulses can be delivered to the skin by TENS devices. These pulses stimulate brain receptors that block pain signaling. There are also electromagnetic therapy options such as magnetic field therapy, interferential current therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based in the belief that everyone has inherent healing abilities. Also, that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have an impact on our physical health. Energy healing has been around since ancient times. Modern practitioners however, accept that there are multiple layers to our energy. Emotional energy is one layer. Another layer is known as mental energy. Others include spiritual, psychic, chakras vital, life force prana, Kundalini and biofield as well as quantum fields. These energies could be linked to the larger universe according to some. Some believe they are able to heal others by using their minds. But, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of energy medicine.
Energy psychology studies how human emotions impact physiological functions. Energy psychology is often considered an alternative for psychotherapy, as it does not focus on past events but rather on helping clients to change their behaviour. Although energy psychology doesn’t require a specific theoretical framework, it draws on many disciplines such as cognitive behavioral therapy and transactional analysis.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Pranavsingh Dhunnoo
Title: The Top 20 Digital Health Trends For The Near Future: Here Is The 2022-23 Ebook
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/top-digital-health-trends
Published Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alternative Medicine?
It is a healing approach that focuses on prevention instead of treating. It encourages people be educated consumers, actively participating in their own health and well being.
Alternative medicine refers generally to any form of diagnosis or treatment that does away with allopathic (conventional), medical approaches.
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They seek to avoid dangerous drugs and surgeries.
- They believe natural remedies work best.
- They prefer non-invasive treatments.
- They are looking to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They desire more control over their healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They desire less stress in the lives of others.
- They want greater freedom to choose their doctors and healthcare plans.
- They want their children receive a better education.
- They want to eat healthy food for their family and themselves.
- They are looking for safe and effective medication.
What is the difference between alternative medicine, complementary medicine and other medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments not considered conventional by mainstream medical professionals but have been shown to provide benefits for certain conditions. These include homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology as well as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and naturopathy. Complementary Medicines are treatments that add to the treatment of conventional medicine. They may also be used in combination with it. These include dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and other natural substances.
Both forms of medicine may be used. However, most conventional doctors will not recommend them due either to insufficient evidence nor safety concerns.
There is no consensus among health care providers regarding the best approach to integrating CAM into patient care.
Many CAM practices are based upon theories that have been around for thousands of years. However, clinical trials over the past 20 years suggest that some of these therapies might work.
Many studies show that acupuncture may help relieve pain. It may also reduce nausea and vomiting that are associated with chemotherapy, according to preliminary data. Studies have also shown that acupuncture may reduce symptoms of irritable-bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
Experts agree that CAM can help with many ailments, even though we still have a lot to learn about its effectiveness.
As a result, more and more people are turning to CAM practitioners for relief from common illnesses.
Despite this popularity, many people still have questions about “alternatives” and “complementary” medicine.
Why is alternative medicine important
Alternative medicines are very popular because they’re often cheaper and better for you than traditional treatments. However, there have been many cases where patients have died after taking these treatments, sometimes due to side effects such as allergic reactions. It’s also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
Alternative medicines can also be dangerous if you don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. Vitamin supplements, for example, are not regulated like pharmaceuticals. It is easy to overdose on vitamins. To make matters worse, there are alternative remedies that contain toxic chemicals.
What are alternative medicine examples?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homeopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture as well as nutritional therapy such like reiki.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health? NCCIH
webmd.com
How To
What products can be used in holistic medicines?
The best way to describe these products would be as “natural” but not necessarily organic. These products could have been grown naturally without pesticides or fertilizers. But they were also processed in a way that is safer for your health. Some herbs can cause allergic reactions and may need to have different preparations depending on the individual. The herbs sold in health food stores are more standard than those found at grocery stores. These herbs often have higher levels of herbicides than those sold at grocery stores.
The majority of herbal supplements are made from dried plants. Some people prefer buying them in liquid form, which tends to be cheaper. They are still safer, however. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. The product may lose its original potency. Most herbal supplements are not subject to quality control before they are sold.
Most herbs and spices are added to food once it is cooked. These condiments include ketchup and mustard, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, soup mixtures, and marinades.
Supplements are usually taken orally (by chewing). Most vitamins and minerals come in tablet form. Other vitamins and minerals can be purchased in capsules.
Homeopathic remedies are highly concentrated substances made from plants, animals, minerals, or synthetics. They are intended to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. Although they are called “homeopathic,” they do not work like regular medications. Instead, they act on the body’s immune system to restore balance and promote wellness. Homeopathic remedies can be considered safe and non-toxic. They are used extensively in Europe, Canada and Australia, New Zealand as well as South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles at specific points on the meridians of your bodies. This is based on traditional Chinese medical theories that energy channels are the pathways through which life force flows. The theory states that illness occurs when blockages occur in these channels. It is believed that energy flow can be restored by stimulating specific points along the meridian lines using fine needles. The body then returns to normal operation.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine to correct misalignments of the bones. This technique was developed in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, an American doctor. He claimed that he could diagnose illness and cure them by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments, muscle tests and percussion.
Chiropractic has been very popular in the last few decades. Many believe that it works better for back pain than conventional medicine.
Massage therapy includes rubbing, tapping or tapping on muscles, joints, or other body parts. Massage can loosen tight muscles, relax tension and soothe sore muscles. Massage therapists use Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports, reflexology, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and others.
Reflexology can be described as alternative medicine. It involves applying pressure to certain areas on the feet and hands with thumb pads or fingers. This method, according to reflexologists, stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to reduce stress, increase well-being and improve moods. Essential oils are therapeutic as their chemical makeup can benefit health conditions such arthritis treatment to headache relief. Aromatherapy comes in many forms, including:
Craniosacral Treatment uses gentle touch for pain relief and discomfort. Cranial refers the skull and sacrum, which in Latin means “sac”, is cranial sacral therapy. This therapy involves the application of light pressure to different areas on the head, neck and shoulders. The therapist also moves her/his hands along the patient’s body.
Cupping therapy involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping is often combined with acupuncture or moxibustion (burning herbs) and may be used for detoxification.
Dietary supplements are oral or topical products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of94 is the FDA’s regulation of dietary supplements. To be sold legally, a diet supplement must meet two conditions. First, the product must be a “dietary ingredient” which means it contains more that one percent of a vitamin mineral, herb or other botanical on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized As Safe List. It must be manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices. That means its ingredients were properly handled at every stage of production.
Electrotherapy uses electricity to stimulate the nerves and muscles. The most common type of electrotherapy is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Low-level electrical pulses can be delivered to the skin by TENS devices. These pulses stimulate brain receptors that block pain signaling. There are also electromagnetic therapy options such as magnetic field therapy, interferential current therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based in the belief that everyone has inherent healing abilities. Also, that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have an impact on our physical health. Energy healing has been around since ancient times. Modern practitioners however, accept that there are multiple layers to our energy. Emotional energy is one layer. Another layer is known as mental energy. Others include spiritual, psychic, chakras vital, life force prana, Kundalini and biofield as well as quantum fields. These energies could be linked to the larger universe according to some. Some believe they are able to heal others by using their minds. But, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of energy medicine.
Energy psychology studies how human emotions impact physiological functions. Energy psychology is often considered an alternative for psychotherapy, as it does not focus on past events but rather on helping clients to change their behaviour. Although energy psychology doesn’t require a specific theoretical framework, it draws on many disciplines such as cognitive behavioral therapy and transactional analysis.
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