The birth of information technology has entirely changed the perspective of human life more than ever before, leaving us with very little choice but to adapt to the new ways of the world in order to sustain in this world. Information technology has penetrated every bit of human life, be it personal life or business. It has tremendously transformed human lives, gradually adding more benefits. The healthcare industry is no exception to the new technologies, the industry has benefited more than any other industry in the world because it is directly connected to human existence itself. The introduction of various medical technologies into healthcare has saved numerous lives so far and will continue to save lives as long as the technology prevails at its best. Information technology has become an integral part of the healthcare/ medicine industry. Global Digital Health market size is set to exceed $504.4 billion by 2025; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights.

The entrance of technology into healthcare has given birth to numerous tools and resources that improve health care services, including software that makes patient’s health information more accessible and keeps the data more secure in one place than before, which previously was handwritten and stored in tracks. Now, most of the hospitals are enabled with software such as electronic health records (EHR) which makes life easier for patients. The patients need not wait for a longer period of time to receive their test results, instead they can view their test result, bills and medical history in either desktop or mobile devices at their convenient time.

Technology has also reshaped patient and doctor experience since numerous tools and resources are now available at their disposal. The big date has played a vital role in shaping such an environment between the doctor and patient, every tiny detail of the patient has been stored digitally that it allows the doctors to analyse the patient's health condition in a better way.

The entire medical history of the patient is available at their disposal in small smart devices. Ever since the introduction of information technology into healthcare,

It has played a critical role in the following areas such as “Disease prevention, improved quality of life, health maintenance, cost efficiency, personalisation, more accessibility, convenience, better health outcomes."

Here are some of the technologies which have already transformed the healthcare/ medicine industry and will continue to change in the future.

Information Technology and Medicine

1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry.AI is used to get a better understanding of day to day patterns of the patients and with that understanding the physician can treat the patient, guide and support them to stay healthy. AI has been used to detect diseases at the early stage itself, such as cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a high proportion of Mammograms yield false results, leading 1-2 healthy women being told they have cancer. The use of AI is enabling review and translation of mammograms 30 times faster with 99% accuracy, reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies. The doctors can identify, monitor and detect potentially life-threatening diseases at the early stages and treat them through consumer wearables and other through devices combined with AI.

According to Mckinsey market research, the use of AI within the health industry is expected to grow to $6.6 billion from approximately $ 600 million in 2014.

2. Personalised Treatment.
The proliferation of consumer wearable devices helps the doctors to have personal attention to their patients which helps them to analyse individual’s data. After which doctors can recommend precise treatments to their patients, instead of offering a canned set of recommendations that fits a broad solution to the health system.

3. Telecommunication
Telehealth has been potentially one of the game changers in the healthcare industry which has benefited numerous individuals for their medication and patient care, as well as the physicians. Telehealth has a significant impact in rural parts of the world where access to doctors is difficult or where travel distance could be high. Through telehealth patients / caretakers directly communicate with the physician and the caretakers can update and discuss the condition of the patients with the physicians and continue to take care in a better way.

Medical Equipment and technology

1. Robots performing the tasks
The healthcare industry has witnessed one of the greatest inventions in its entire history by deploying a robot to assist the doctors. It has been helping them in rural areas with telepresence, providing medical supplies, sterilizing hospital rooms, helping patients with some rehabilitation, assisting in the operation room etc. The global medical robotics market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2023.

2. 3D printing
The advent of 3D printing in the health industry has led to lighter and safer products, reduced lead times and cost as well.3D printing has been helping doctors provide patients with the new form of treatments .3D printing is used for the development of new surgical cutting and drill guides, prosthetics, the creation of patient-specific replicas of bones, organs and blood vessels. According to the smartest Analysis market research, the market for medical 3D printing is estimated to be worth $1.25 billion and the market values is expected to grow to $6.08 billion by 2027.