Three healthcare IT trends to watch in 2018 and 2019

2018 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the advancement of healthcare technology, as new innovations in IT, medical devices, data analytics and much more, make their mark on the industry. Here are three key technology trends that will play a big role in healthcare during the year ahead and into 2019.

AI

Developments in AI (Artificial Intelligence) are helping everyday healthcare processes to become increasingly sophisticated, and as the benefits become more widely recognized, adoption will only increase. 2018 looks set to be a major year for AI investment, with three quarters of healthcare provider executives telling PwC Health Research Institute they are planning to invest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics in the next three years. Some of the main drivers behind AI investment are: being able to automate tasks such as routine paperwork (82%),; scheduling (79%),; time-sheet entry (78%) and,; accounting (69%).

Big Data & analytics

Technology innovations in recent years have led to a dramatic shift in the amount of health data gathered about individuals. This technology will become even more sophisticated with time, leading to even more data being collected, and with greater accuracy.

In 2018, data will become better integrated into the clinical workflow, creating new opportunities for health organizations to extract insights and value from massive quantities of patient data. Healthcare professionals will use this ‘big data’ to make diagnosis quicker and easier, while health insurance companies will be able to monitor patient health more closely to offer bespoke insurance products.

IOT

The Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has seen vast growth in recent years, from remote monitoring, to wearables, smart sensors, and mobile apps. Such developments are pinned on maximizing resources to provide improved, secure, and cost effective solutions that facilitate better engagement, productivity and connectivity between clinicians and patients.

The possibilities of IoT in healthcare deployment are infinite, making it possible for clinicians to monitor patients at home, in the office, or on the go, from anywhere in the world, ultimately reducing cost and time spent on diagnosis and treatment.

IoT is already redefining healthcare as we know it, but the technology is still evolving. Major challenges for healthcare IoT reside around management of the collected data and the security around it, the future of IoT will largely depend on the ways healthcare organizations will turn that data into meaningful insights while keeping is secure.

While the healthcare industry has historically been slower than most when it comes to adopting new technology, that is no longer the case. The future of healthcare is now, and providers must embrace technology, or risk being left behind.

Make sure to check out our 2017 Healthcare Trends post as well.