During the pandemic, some of the following digital health trends gained traction and are expected to influence the future of medicine.  

1. Telehealth  

Telehealth delivers healthcare services through digital communication technology such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Healthcare providers had to shift rapidly when social distancing diminished in-person visits. By April 2020, telehealth services would account for almost 43% of primary care visits. Telehealth appears to be here to stay, even as the COVID-19 vaccines roll out over the world.  Fortune Business Insights says the telehealth business will be worth more than $185 billion by 2026.  

Telehealth can refer to a variety of different medical services. Teleradiology refers to the practice of a radiologist interpreting medical images while not physically present in the location where the images are generated. Hospitals, mobile imaging companies, urgent care facilities, and even some private practices utilize teleradiology. Tele-pharmacy delivers pharmaceutical care to patients in regions where they may not directly access a pharmacist via telecommunications. It’s an example of the broader telemedicine phenomena in action in the field of pharmacy. Tele-ICU has an off-site command center –  a critical care team (intensivists and critical care nurses) is connected with patients in the distance intensive care units (ICUs) through real-time audio, visual and electronic means, and health information is exchanged. Telerehabilitation refers to information and communication technologies to provide rehabilitation services to people remotely in their homes or other environments. This usually has a vital visual element with video conferences and webcams commonly used to communicate symptoms and clinical progress. Tele-neuropsychology is a type of telemedicine that includes neuropsychological consultation and assessment over the phone with patients who have or are suspected of having a cognitive disorder.  

Telenursing refers to the utilization of communicative technologies to provide remote nursing services.  

In the future, people will demand a smooth digital experience to make appointments, buy medication, and get important health information and advice. Instead of being a transitory fad, telehealth is predicted to become an integral part of a complete healthcare strategy that enhances the patient experience. Clinicians might handle approximately 40% of primary care sessions remotely, and clinicians that offer telehealth services are more likely to see more patients. According to the American Hospital Association, hospitals lost $161.4 billion between March and June 2020 – telehealth services may assist hospitals in recouping some of their losses. According to McKinsey, $250 billion of total US healthcare spending might go virtual in the years following the pandemic.  

Rather than treating digital health trends as a testbed, the industry must fully embrace innovation to improve provider agility and efficiency in the future.  

2. IoT and Medicine  

Medical IoT is a fast-expanding industry in which wearable gadgets, monitoring, and integrated applications are used to meet healthcare demands. Medical IoT can offer better versions of classic medical devices, such as the smart inhaler, which syncs patient usage with a mobile app, thanks to AI and machine learning technology.  

Patients now have more control over their diseases and health demands thanks to the emergence of 5G and smart technology in healthcare. Smart insulin pens and glucose monitoring devices, for example, make it easier for people to maintain track of their health needs with minimal disruption to their daily life. Many IoT devices will become more affordable as technology advances, bringing us closer to health fairness. Hospitals can perform predictive maintenance and avoid costly downtime of complex medical equipment with IoT devices that monitor machinery and warn technicians about concerns. In addition, they can employ sensors to track supply inventory, allowing them to manage gas, chemical, and disposable goods like masks, gloves, and syringe usage and costs.  

Data storage and security are critical in the healthcare industry. Additionally,  IoT devices must be dependable in terms of connections, performance, and real-time data delivery. For example, healthcare workers may overlook important details about a patient’s health if there are any pauses or outages. Healthcare has a lot to gain from the cloud era, but trust in data security and IoT capabilities are still developing. With this in mind, we may anticipate increased investment and funding in IoT technology in the following years.  

3. Behavioral and mental health apps  

As the brutal reality of lockdown life set in, people worldwide faced untold mental health issues in 2020. Mindfulness applications like Headspace, Liberate, and Calm were no longer solely for the fringe meditation crowd, as general usage boosted the wellness app market’s download figures. According to The New York Times, Calm gained 10 million new members, and venture investors pooled their funds.  

Employers increasingly recognize the value of wellness apps for their workers. For decades, corporate wellness trips, office yoga, and team-building events have all been around, but the employer-provided wellness app is a newer notion. According to research by SHRM, 48% of US employees say they would be more confident in digital health tools if their workplace provided them. Furthermore, 26% claimed they would be more likely to stay with their current employer if such apps were available.  

According to projections from 2018, health apps might save the US healthcare system $7 billion every year. In addition, employers should see a decline in employee “sick days” as the mobile age continues to entice more people to health apps, which would enhance productivity. Limeade, which helps firms foster a culture of well-being and inclusion, and Vantage Fit, which lets employers develop simple wellness programs and challenges to help their staff stay fit and healthy, are two examples of apps aimed at the corporate workplace.  

Wellness is expected to be one of the most important digital health trends in the next 20 years, according to Deloitte’s Future of Health report. We may anticipate a significant shift away from treatment-focused medicine by 2040, with 60% of the investment going toward promoting health and well-being.  

4. Virtual and Augmented Reality  

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology have many practical applications beyond gaming and entertainment – VR aids surgical planning and training in the medical field, making treatments more comfortable for doctors and patients. There have also been numerous publications on the effectiveness of virtual reality in the treatment of chronic pain and mental health.  

In a study on the expected growth of AR and VR in healthcare, Markets predicted a 30.7 percent annual growth rate between 2017 and 2025. Health experts are already using the benefits of VR and AR to treat several ailments, including anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. For example, providers can utilize virtual reality and augmented reality to construct simulations of real-life settings in which patients are psychologically challenged, such as dealing with eating disorders, fear of heights, or social anxiety. Although people are aware that the world they are in, whether wearing a VR headset or using an augmented reality application, is artificial, the simulation allows them to face challenges and overcome their fears through practice. According to Oxford VR, this type of immersive therapy can lessen fears and phobias by 68 percent after only two hours of treatment. 

On the provider side, VR aids in the development of medical professionals’ skill sets. According to a study on the influence of virtual reality training in healthcare, students who received VR instruction completed medical operations 20 percent faster than those who received only traditional training. In addition, the VR-trained group correctly completed 38 percent more steps.  

According to a recent estimate from Verified Market Research, the value of AR/VR in healthcare will climb to $34 billion by 2027.  Virtual reality is still a young technology. However, its powers will usher in exciting new advances in preventive healthcare, rehabilitation, and cancer treatment as it develops.  

Conclusion  

Telemedicine, IoT devices, and healthcare apps aren’t new technologies; they’ve been around for a long time. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, was instrumental in propelling healthcare forward and encourage health institutions, clinicians, and patients to embrace digital health trends and new technologies. Thanks to remote services, IoT devices, and rapid research and development methods, providers and patients now recognize the advantages of digital health services.  

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AR focuses on integrating digital information and physical reality, VR focuses on replacing the real world with a much more virtual computer-generated environment. 

VR and AR are essential tools used to create visual and interactive experiences for all types of industries. COVID-19 has increased the use of digital technologies such as AR and VR for better experiences for both employees working from home and customers. As a result, augmented reality and virtual reality are gaining popularity since it helps customers sit at home and feel the products and services much more effectively and efficiently. According to research by Gartner, 30% of individuals prefer companies integrating AR and VR for a better customer experience. 

Companies that focus on research such as Statista have stated that AR and VR markets will continue to grow. Augmented reality and virtual reality are proliferating and are being implemented by different industries in various ways. IDC researchers claim that by 2024 the market size will grow to $72.8 billion.   

The different types of industries that are unlocking the capabilities of the two most potent tools AR and VR

AR and VR are snowballing due to their feature of letting people experience different types of services anywhere in a more creative, comfortable, and exciting manner. 

Education – Virtual reality and augmented various schools, universities are implementing AR & VR and online platforms to make teaching more fun, exciting and realistic. It helps focus on a more practical approach rather than just theory-based. It increases customization and more hands-on learning, which increases curiosity. Research shows that it helps improve skills and knowledge for both students and their mentors. 

Health and Wellness – VR and AR are being used for various meditation programs. Using technologies such as VR and AR will have a significant impact on the GDP, according to PwC. It is stated that it will boost the GDP by £316 billion in 2030. VR and AR have been used for training purposes to perform different complex surgeries. Other than training, AR can reduce anxiety, phobias, and psychological disorders since patients interact with virtual objects in real-time. 

Retail – Using AR and VR for effective and efficient performance by better displays of products, body scanning technologies, perfect fit outfits, and better interactive store layout versions. PwC states that by 2030, using AR and VR will boost the GDP by £184.2 billion. VR and AR are being used in the different stages of the retail industry, such as planning, research, modifications, and design. 

Real estate – Using AR and VR to give virtual tours of properties is much more effective, innovative, interactive, and time-saving. It is much more beneficial because of 3D walk-throughs rather than visiting different properties. It allows clients to understand the entire construction project by virtual tours and going through the whole project. It even eliminates the time-consuming process of inspection since it will help in collecting real-time data. 

Automotive – AR and VR are being used by companies for better performance and training for workers and step-by-step learning processes for complicated fixing. Many companies use VR technology for effective implementation, training, efficient results, reduced time and costs, and better design. In addition, 60% of consumers in the automotive industry prefer companies that use AR and VR to help understand the product and features.

Construction – Using virtual reality as a tool to train employees in a safer environment. With the help of AR and VR, companies can avoid many work hazards. It helps the workers and owners to keep an eye on the site without being there in person. AR and VR help in the whole design process since architects and planners can virtually be in the construction site and feel the place. Focusing on a more AR and VR approach increases accuracy and outcome. It even helps in saving time, reducing costs and errors. 

Banking – Making use of AR and VR can enhance customer experience and engagement. Using AR and VR has its benefits, such as a much more personalized experience for customers. It even can help with better assistance and understanding of various banking procedures. In addition, it can help reduce physical visits to different bank branches, and it is much safer due to safety authentication procedures. 

Oil and Gas industry – Using AR and VR helps increase outcomes for training programs, understanding different structures for better mining, reduced errors, and drilling malfunctions. Focusing on an AR approach helps guide workers regarding additional steps and the tools needed to complete a task. In addition, it helps reduce the time-wasting procedures of visiting the site. 

Tourism – Using AR and VR helps in better planning management, increased customer experience due to virtual tours, and real-time experience and navigation. It opens the tourism industry to a much more exciting and personalized experience. Many companies use virtual reality trips, which include various tickets for top tourist spots and destinations. In addition, agencies use 360 videos to showcase beautiful tourist sports and top hotels and landmarks.

Logistics – Better training for employees, effective and efficient, time is being saved by 25%. Using AR and VR helps in reducing object pickup time in warehouses. Planning is easier with the help of AR. Focusing on VR in logistics can help plan load and the best routes for faster delivery. It helps in speeding up orders and avoiding errors. Better results and outcomes since such technologies help keep an eye on all locations without being there physically. It can even help in understanding important information such as cargo weight and traffic routes. Drivers who use AR glasses can work more effectively since it helps in understanding the best routes to take and leads to reduced errors and mishaps.  

Benefits of focusing on a more AR and VR approach for smoother and effective results 

A picture is worth a thousand words, and it helps us remember things better and faster; AR and VR are great ways to interact and visualize different data around us. 

AR and VR are the two leading digital tools to create value for the business by being the product itself for customers and smoothening the value chain model from better product development to manufacturing, training, logistics, marketing, sales, after-sales, and much more. 82% of companies have stated that using AR and VR has proved to be beneficial and effective. Focusing on AR and VR can benefit companies and consumers in many ways since it reduces costs, increases productivity, a better understanding of consumer behavior, increases revenue, and better training measures. In addition, focusing on a more AR and VR approach helps redefine the customer experience. Using technologies such as AR and VR has various benefits such as better work environment safety, product safety, product development, and increased effectiveness and collaboration. 

AR and VR will increase GDP, income, and job opportunities by 2030. According to McKinsey, they are making use of AR and VR even while promoting advertisements and websites. As a result, it is seen that the engagement rate and conversion rate are much higher. 

AR and VR even boost the online experience, efficiency, and effectiveness and benefit critical skill training. 

In conclusion

Integrating technology with the vision of any industry is a great way to increase success and outcome. Making use of AR and VR will increase effectiveness, efficiency, and better performance and help companies simplify, streamline, and improve processes to deliver a better and personalized experience. 

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However, what is it about this technology that makes it so useful? Let’s have a look.

What is AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality)?

AR (Augmented Reality) enhances our real world by adding digital information to it in the form of images, text, and audio. On the other hand, VR (Virtual Reality) is a fully immersive digital world where the real world is absent altogether.  Pokémon Go and PlayStation VR are real-life examples of AR & VR respectively.

Though AR and VR may sound like very futuristic technologies, AR first came into effect in 1968. Ivan Sutherland developed the first head-mounted display system using various computer graphics techniques. Then, in 1974, Myron Krueger developed Videospace, which was the first virtual reality interface. The first fully functioning AR system called ‘Virtual Fixtures’ was developed by Louis Rosenberg in 1992.

How Do AR and VR Work?

For AR, a series of data that includes images, videos, sounds are used, which then can be seen by people using phones, tablets, or laptops in the real world. For this, specific hardware components (like camera, display, processor), along with sensors and appropriate software are necessary.

VR, on the other hand, is a computer-simulated three-dimensional artificial environment which takes the user into an alternate world, completely shutting out the real world using a stereoscopic display. Stereoscopic display works by displaying two slightly different angles of the scene to each eye, which in turn simulates the depth along with parallax, thereby creating almost real-life like experience.

How will AR & VR rule Healthcare? 

The most significant advantage of AR and VR is that it can be modified according to the requirements of any industry, which resulted in increased adoption of their applications in various sectors. From training new doctors to diagnosing a patient’s ailment, AR and VR found multiple uses in the healthcare sector.

1. Training Doctors Using AR/VR

Several places around the world have no access to proper healthcare facilities either due to the lack of resources or due to the absence of trained professionals. Virtual Reality can be used in such scenarios to teach medical professionals, thereby preventing any unfortunate events. Medical students and physicians around the globe, being equipped with a handset that supports VR/ AR, can get a good value for training and teaching.

2. Improving Surgery Methods

Similarly, AR and VR can be used to obtain three- dimensional images of various vital organs for a better understanding of patients’ ailments. Using AR and VR along with robotics, can also prove to be a significant development in the healthcare sector.

3. Treating Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions

Using VR, the patient’s underlying traumatic conditions can be found out and treated accurately. By using VR, the brain’s cognitive functions can be identified and thereby, measures can be taken to help the patient recover.

4.  As a Part of Hospice Care

In extreme cases, where it has become inevitable that the patient is not going to make it, healthcare does not simply end. AR/ VR technology can be used to address the emotional needs of the patient, either by making sure they get to visit their favourite places or get a feel of places or events they may never get to experience otherwise.

For instance, patients facing terminal illnesses can experience the joy of bungee jumping, cliff diving, or seeing a waterfall up close. Besides, it can help deal with anxiety, and open up topics such as the end of their life and what comes next, as a vital form of emotional support, and can help make the last moments of someone’s life valuable.

Examples of AR/VR Used for Patient Care

1. AccuVein AV400 Vein Viewing System

AccuVein allows medical professionals to scan the veins of the patient in real time using augmented reality, to help locate veins for IV and blood draw accurately on the first try. AccuVein enabled healthcare providers to improve the quality of the treatment, thus providing enhanced patient experience and satisfaction.

2. HoloAnatomy

Cleveland Clinic partnered with Microsoft to launch a HoloLens App called HoloAnatomy, which enable viewers to study human anatomy with a high level of detail.

The Future of AR/VR in Healthcare

Healthcare sector is adopting new tools and methods to provide high quality care for patients with the help of cutting-edge technologies. AR / VR technologies are expected to have an enormous impact on healthcare, helping medical professionals from training to rehabilitation to real-time knowledge sharing; attempting to make our trip to the hospital a less painful one.

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