Electronic Health Reporter

By Artur Meyster, CTO, Career Karma.

Even though the inclusion of technology is apparent in many aspects of our lives, the healthcare industry was hesitant about incorporating some forms of technology until recently. But things have changed, and the utilization of tech in the medical sector today is more extensive. More doctors today use apps to consult with patients. And that’s where you come in.

The tech skills we list in this guide will help you land a job in the healthcare industry and allow you to make a tangible impact on this fairly new tech sector. Plus, you will have the opportunity to make a difference that will possibly save lives in the future.

These new developments in the healthcare industry are known as telemedicine, which is a series of apps, wearable devices, and software that improve the consultation experience for patients and health professionals. These innovations open many opportunities for tech workers and allow people in the sector to learn certain tech skills.

The Internet of Medical Things  

The internet of medical things (IoMT) refers to all of the devices, software, and applications that help to monitor, detect, and manage diseases or treatments. These can be connected to other devices, servers, systems, and the internet. The IoMT also collects data and stores it in a cloud or server for doctors or physicians to visualize later. It allows a direct connection between patients and health professionals.

For example, there is a mobile app that can detect when a patient collapses. When it happens, the app will allow your phone to send a stress signal to a healthcare provider or other emergency contacts. Also, there are wearable devices like smartwatches that allow people to monitor their health, this is especially helpful for patients with heart problems.

Other companies are developing smart pills that will monitor the patient’s health from the inside the body. The potential for these technologies are endless and are just in the beginning stage. This market is projected to reach $254,233.6 million in 2026, so if you learn to be a software developer or app developer, you will find a job in no time.

Big Data

With the introduction of the IoMT, the amount of data that has been generated will only grow and it has been astounding. This is in addition to the already existing records that all healthcare institutions have. In the past, all of this information was just stored and accessed to look for specific cases or patients. But, seeing the bigger picture can throw powerful insights. Using data analytics, scientists could make predictions on when and where disease outbreaks are most likely to occur or what possible health issues a patient could have according to their family health history.

Big data can go even farther. For example, it can be used to recognize when a patient has symptoms similar to certain diseases like cancer. Data analysis software could inform a patient of the dangers and lead them to an early diagnosis.

Electronic health records (EHRs) are making this possible through a centralized database for health institutions in the US. The EHRs can give alerts when a patient has to have an appointment or track if the patient is following doctor’s orders. Big data is also helping to reduce time and make studies more efficient, which will lead to faster discoveries. And this technology will only grow more in the future, which translates to many job opportunities.

Robotics

Robots in the healthcare industry aren’t like how many people imagine – in the sense that they can complete surgery on their own. Robots in the medical field are generally used to monitor patients and give alerts when necessary. There also are robots that can perform surgery but with a healthcare professional controlling them. A perfect example is the Da Vinci surgical equipment which is used to perform minimally invasive procedures.  

With developments in artificial intelligence and internet speed, specifically the 5G network, robotics could change really soon. AI will allow tech professionals to develop robots capable of conducting minimal invasive procedures on their own. 5G technology developments will allow doctors to control robots from remote locations, miles away, to attend critical patients that cannot be transported.

Another niche for robotics in the healthcare industry is prosthetics. Robotic prosthetics are changing the lives of people who have lost a limb. The global robotic prosthetics market size is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2027. Even though they aren’t as accessible to many people in the world right now, there are many prototypes being tested. There are prosthetics that tap into nerves in the residual limb and others that respond to the movements of the remaining muscle. Cyborgs could be a reality in no time and any tech professional with these skills will be part of the revolution.