In: Economics
How will U.S. Healthcare look in 2050?
Technology and healthcare are being interwoven. Researchers use the virtual reality games to diagnose Alzheimer's disease genetic predisposition. Google wants tactile sensors to be implanted into senior living facilities to track falls and use smartphones from patients to test hemoglobin levels and diagnose asthma. Using nanobots to repair damaged cells, fix genetic mutations, replace DNA molecules and unblock arteries, nanomedicine can treat cancer and heart disease.
The healthcare innovations of tomorrow will bring the greatest benefits as we all come together – payers, big health networks, physicians in the small towns, specialty clinics and patients – to accept virtual treatment. Telemedicine also provides cost savings, universal patient coverage and improved health outcomes. We will speed up a new age in innovative medicine across the globe by designing delivery models that fit with oncoming technologies.
By 2050, modern and more adaptive monitoring systems will be constantly testing physiological and biochemical parameters, recording habits, and tracking locations. All these sensors and systems must be networked, which increases the real risk of physical disease and illness causing software viruses and malware. So, a 2050 visit to your GP, whether virtual or physical, is likely to require software and hardware clinicians 'attention to fix any deficiencies and upgrade your anti-virus software – a digital immunization.
By 2050, the data revolution we have long been promised in healthcare will be well founded. All facets of the NHS will be fully computerised, with data linking enabling the development of person-based electronic health records that cover all aspects of healthcare.Patients will have complete access to their medical records and many will have 'expert programs' which use data from their medical records to assist them in leading healthier lifestyles and managing their long-term conditions.