[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":2049},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-robotics":3},{"category":4,"posts":42,"featured":2047,"ebooks":2048},{"id":5,"count":6,"description":7,"link":8,"name":9,"slug":10,"taxonomy":11,"parent":12,"meta":13,"acf":14,"z_taxonomy_image_url":17,"yoast_meta":18,"taxonomy_image":17,"_links":21},512,46,"Humanoid robots caring for patients in hospitals; robots used to disinfect operating rooms and surgical robots used for operations are only a few examples of a huge range of applications of robotics that will transform medicine for the better, but also replace many human jobs.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Frobotics\u002F","Robotics","robotics","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16},"20",false,"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":19,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":20},"Medical Robotics - The Medical Futurist","Find the latest medical robotics articles from The Medical Futurist!",{"self":22,"collection":28,"about":31,"wp:post_type":34,"curies":37},[23],{"href":24,"targetHints":25},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories\u002F512",{"allow":26},[27],"GET",[29],{"href":30},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories",[32],{"href":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftaxonomies\u002Fcategory",[35],{"href":36},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts?categories=512",[38],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[43,211,319,428,569,684,843,984,1103,1211,1357,1461,1585,1685,1796,1921],{"id":44,"date":45,"date_gmt":46,"guid":47,"modified":49,"modified_gmt":50,"slug":51,"status":52,"type":53,"link":54,"title":55,"content":57,"excerpt":59,"author":61,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":66,"categories":67,"tags":70,"project_category":74,"contact_email_category":75,"yst_prominent_words":76,"class_list":82,"better_featured_image":95,"acf":145,"yoast_meta":160,"_links":162},38439,"2026-08-10T09:49:35","2026-08-10T07:49:35",{"rendered":48},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=38439&_wpnonce=58b0795b02&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-08-10T09:49:37","2026-08-10T07:49:37","the-state-of-exoskeletons-in-healthcare","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-state-of-exoskeletons-in-healthcare",{"rendered":56},"Exoskeletons In Healthcare: The Era Of Great Advancements",{"rendered":58,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Science fiction has for long fantasized about ways to augment fragile humans’ power and endurance through mechanical means. In \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdb.com\u002Ftitle\u002Ftt1631867\u002F?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Edge of Tomorrow\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, Tom Cruise’s abilities are enhanced via \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fallyouneediskill.fandom.com\u002Fwiki\u002FCombat_Jacket\" target=\"_blank\">a combat jacket\u003C\u002Fa>. Humans in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdb.com\u002Ftitle\u002Ftt0499549\u002F?ref_=nv_sr_2?ref_=nv_sr_2\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Avatar\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cem> \u003C\u002Fem>board the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjames-camerons-avatar.fandom.com\u002Fwiki\u002FAmplified_Mobility_Platform\" target=\"_blank\">AMP suit\u003C\u002Fa> to tread the deadly environment on Pandora. Such depictions of exoskeletons – or wearable mechanical structures that attach to joints to assist and\u002For enhance strength and endurance for motion – have left the realm of science fiction and have become part of our reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Back in 2014, a paraplegic man suited in a robotic exoskeleton \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Fscience-environment-27812218\" target=\"_blank\">made the symbolic kick-off\u003C\u002Fa> for the World Cup in Brazil. In 2019, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Fhealth-49907356\" target=\"_blank\">news emerged\u003C\u002Fa> of a man who could move all of his four paralyzed limbs thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But nothing stands as powerful a statement as the example of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Folympics.com\u002Fen\u002Fparis-2024\u002Folympic-torch-relay\u002Ftorchbearers\u002Fkevin-piette\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Piette\u003C\u002Fa>, a French para-athlete, who became an Olympic torchbearer wearing a self-balancing exoskeleton developed by France’s Wandercraft – a company that already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wandercraft.eu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">has regulatory-approved robotic structures\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kevin piette wondercraft exoskeleton used in Olympic torch relay🔥\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fdf_1p5u8IMo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although we have seen significant advances in the past decade, the exoskeleton market is still gaining steam, with models even targeted at the general consumer and healthcare workers. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, exoskeletons started finding their place in healthcare systems. In 2023 ReWalk (now called Lifeward) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Frewalk-robotics-announces-solidified-medicare-coverage-for-personal-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003C\u002Fa> that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule for reinbursing their exoskeleton technology, which was followed by another similar announcement \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fir.eksobionics.com\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fdetail\u002F756\u002Fekso-bionics-receives-final-payment-determination-for\" target=\"_blank\">from Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We can expect further announcements to come, as there are over a dozen \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov\u002Fscripts\u002Fcdrh\u002Fcfdocs\u002FcfTPLC\u002Ftplc.cfm?id=PHL&min_report_year=2009\" target=\"_blank\">approved exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> on the FDA’s list. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So let’s take a closer look at where those once sci-fi robotic structures stand today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Exoskeletons’ assistance in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic assistants are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-exciting-medical-robot-facts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">no stranger in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>, but while they are also robotic structures, exoskeletons provide a different type of assistance. Rather than move around independently to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-helping-kill-coronavirus-in-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\">clean surfaces\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faethon.com\u002Fhospital-robots-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">handle deliveries\u003C\u002Fa>, exoskeletons wrap around the user’s limbs to support them physically. This offers tremendous assistance to those with disabled limbs, and rehabilitation is where exoskeletons initially made much progress in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>California-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002Feksohealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa> is one of the best-known companies that develop bionic suits to provide power to the upper and lower body of patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and acquired brain injuries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“It is really interesting that we had over 3000 different individuals in our database in less than 2 years,” Russ Angold, Chief Technology Officer of Ekso Bionics, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeleton-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">told The Medical Futurist\u003C\u002Fa>. “The device is helping a lot of people who otherwise could not work, or their therapy would take a long time. Our job is giving them the technology that allows them to stay healthy and live a full life.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fekso-bionics-exoskeleton-4-768x615.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38459\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fekso-bionics-exoskeleton-4-768x615.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fekso-bionics-exoskeleton-4.jpg 961w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Working along the same vein is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frewalk.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">LifeWard\u003C\u002Fa> (formerly called ReWalk). Dr. Amit Goffer, a quadriplegic himself, founded the company as he wanted to help individuals with lower-limb paralysis to walk again. Their ReWalk Personal System \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgolifeward.com\u002Fproducts\u002Frewalkpersonal-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">received FDA clearance in 2014\u003C\u002Fa> for at-home or community use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Throughout the years, other exoskeleton manufacturer’s products like the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fcyberdynes-medical-exoskeleton-strides-to-fda-approval\" target=\"_blank\">HAL from Cyberdyne\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.suitx.com\u002Fphoenix-medical-exoskeleton#:~:text=PHOENIX%20Medical%20Exoskeleton&text=Phoenix%20has%20only%20two%20actuators,been%20approved%20by%20the%20FDA.\" target=\"_blank\">SuitX’s Phoenix\u003C\u002Fa> received FDA approvals of their own. Clinical trials for Wandercraft’s Atalante exoskeleton began in 2017 and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fexoskeleton-developer-wandercraft-raised-45m-in-funding\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">received the CE mark in 2019\u003C\u002Fa>. With more options for patients with limb impairments getting approved by healthcare authorities and becoming available, the market is steadily growing and is also pivoting towards other demographics. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Interesting new development directions are also present. A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechxplore.com\u002Fnews\u002F2023-11-wearable-robot-people.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wearable robot\u003C\u002Fa> developed by researchers at Chung-Ang University in South Korea targets the frontal plane, emphasizing hip abduction to improve lateral stability and balance. What makes this wearable robot particularly special is its focus on enhancing walking efficiency by helping lateral movements, which are crucial for maintaining balance and stability. This design not only improves gait efficiency but also offers the potential for broader applications, such as supporting older adults and patients recovering from leg or hip surgeries in their daily activities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Marching into a growing industry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While still relatively niche, the exoskeleton market has expanded in recent years. The Exoskeleton Report last \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fexoskeletonreport.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fupdated-directory-of-exoskeleton-companies-and-industry-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">updated its report in 2021\u003C\u002Fa>, which listed 118 companies worldwide working on 172 exoskeletons that were on sale or soon to be commercialised. Their directory listed 67 medical exoskeleton companies in 2024, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.toyota\u002Fen\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fcorporate\u002F30609584.html?_ga=2.42558818.672635075.1578376035-1427653775.1578376035\" target=\"_blank\">definitely surprising\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fexoskeleton-directory-768x430.jpg\" alt=\"exoskeletons\" class=\"wp-image-38461\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fexoskeleton-directory-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fexoskeleton-directory-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fexoskeleton-directory-1536x860.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Fexoskeleton-directory.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There have been further signs of the industry’s maturity recently. Earlier this year, Paris-based exoskeleton developer Wandercraft \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fexoskeleton-developer-wandercraft-raised-45m-in-funding\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">raised €25 million in financing from EIB\u003C\u002Fa>; following a €40 million C-round two years ago, showing a keen interest from investors. Ottobock, a developer of prosthetics and exoskeletons, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fottobock-acquiring-fellow-exoskeleton-maker-suitx\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">acquired SuitX\u003C\u002Fa>, a fellow exoskeleton maker, in late 2021. While it was not the first acquisition of its kind, it showed that the work of smaller companies is being recognized by larger ones, which find potential in their technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, it seems that the exoskeleton will not be available only for therapeutic purposes but will also expand to other markets. Browsing the pages of the Exoskeleton Report, you’ll find over a hundred models \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fexoskeletonreport.com\u002Fproduct-category\u002Fexoskeleton-catalog\u002Findustrial\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">designed for industrial use\u003C\u002Fa>, listing 65 different products for back support only! This is because, in addition to assisting in rehabilitation, exoskeletons can well be applied for injury prevention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Preventive equipment to limit worker injury and fatigue\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, beyond rehabilitation, a trend seems to be forming to equip workers with exoskeletons. A small-scale pilot experience of about 40 exosuit-assisted workers \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Friskandinsurance.com\u002F5-exoskeleton-and-exosuit-highlights-from-2021-that-provide-insight-on-what-to-expect-this-year\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">found promising results\u003C\u002Fa>. Those workers reported that the exoskeletons provided a reduction of 73% in lower back discomfort, and lowered work effort by 30%. Moreover, 80% felt that these mechanical add-ons could prevent injuries of the lower back. With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ehstoday.com\u002Fehs-outloud-blog\u002Farticle\u002F21213854\u002Fwhile-exoskeletons-reduce-injury-can-workers-handle-the-additional-cognitive-demands\" target=\"_blank\">some $100 billion in medical bills\u003C\u002Fa> attributed to worker injuries in the U. S., it makes sense for employers to explore new methods to assist workers and limit healthcare hazards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With this in mind, companies are developing exoskeleton solutions to assist workers and prevent injury. For example, the exoskeletons from German Bionic allow a worker to easily carry around weights of up to 36 kg, while they also help prevent common lifting injuries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This approach also applies to the healthcare setting, given the association of long working hours. “With back pain being the cause of one in every four medical leaves in Japan, some of the largest hospitals and manufacturers now use our \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.archelis.com\u002Fen\u002Fproduct-medical\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Archelis suits\u003C\u002Fa> as a form of PPE, or personal protective equipment,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inputmag.com\u002Ftech\u002Farchelis-exoskeleton-makes-working-on-your-feet-as-easy-as-sitting\" target=\"_blank\">said Hideyuki Fujisawa\u003C\u002Fa>, CEO of Japanese exoskeleton startup Archelis. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The extra weight of robotic add-ons\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While the exoskeleton market is maturing, there are still hurdles that developers of that equipment must overcome before achieving wider adoption. For one, the cost of exoskeletons can be a barrier to entry; like Wandercraft’s Atalante exoskeleton, which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Forthexo.de\u002Fen\u002Fexoskeletons\u002Frehab-and-aids-2\u002Fwandercraft\u002F#:~:text=The%20retail%20price%20is%20220%2C000,FDA%20approval%20and%20CE%20marking.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amounts to around €220,000\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Then there’s the weight of the device itself which could be a hindrance. German Bionic’s apogee comes in the form of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thedailybeast.com\u002Fcould-the-apogee-exoskeleton-save-a-workers-life\" target=\"_blank\">an 8kg backpack\u003C\u002Fa>, which might not be totally comfortable to wear all day long. They also need charging; meaning the workplace will need additional batteries or exoskeletons as substitutes when the batteries need recharging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Given the novelty of such devices, there might be unforeseen challenges as well \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F211028120351.htm\" target=\"_blank\">as new research has found\u003C\u002Fa>. Researchers investigated the neurocognitive ‘cost’ to exoskeleton users, and concluded that the exoskeleton’s advantages were offset when a user was tasked with a cognitively-demanding task. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“While exoskeletons hold great promise in alleviating physical loads in the workplace, these findings can guide the development of decision support tools for ergonomists to determine when\u002Fhow and during what tasks exoskeletons should be used on the factory floor to maximise worker safety,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F211028120351.htm\" target=\"_blank\">the researchers said\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Will exoskeletons be our next wearable?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, some of these challenges are being taken into consideration already. For example, the Archelis suits \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inputmag.com\u002Ftech\u002Farchelis-exoskeleton-makes-working-on-your-feet-as-easy-as-sitting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">do not rely on electricity\u003C\u002Fa> and are thus lighter and do not need recharging. Tokyo-based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Finnophys.net\u002Fmusclesuit\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Innophys\u003C\u002Fa> has also deployed non-powered exoskeletons to assist workers with minimal hindrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For battery-powered models, a battery hot-swap feature would help alleviate the hindrances of depleted batteries. The now retired Cray X from Bionic had such a feature. “You can pull out the [spent battery] for a new one, place the old one on the charger […] and then you can just move on,” Marius Kiss, Head of Mechanical R&D at German Bionic, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.engadget.com\u002Fgerman-bionic-cray-x-5th-gen-exoskeleton-connectivity-future-of-robotics-140023476.html\" target=\"_blank\">told \u003Cem>Engadget\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>. “You could potentially work like eight hours without having to take off the exoskeleton.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As for the cost, with a larger production scale, it will go down with time. Wandercraft is working on an at-home exoskeleton, which it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femag.medicalexpo.com\u002Fmaking-strides-the-atalante-exoskeleton-is-getting-personal\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">expects to cost much less\u003C\u002Fa> than their clinical models. “They will also be cheaper because, unlike the rehabilitation version, they will be individualized,” explained Jean-Louis Constanza, Wandercaft’s Chief Business and Clinical Officer. “Exoskeletons used in hospitals have to be fully adjustable for an array of sizes.” This video from 2021 also features Kevin Piette, who, by the way, works for the company as an exoskeleton pilot, helping with product development and testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Atalante : Early stage standing and overground walking\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoDzJmiFNa7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So does this mean that in the future, we can expect to see exoskeletons become as common as our current wearables? Eric Eitel, German Bionic’s Head of Communications, surely thinks so. “I really see everyone on the street wearing an exoskeleton in one form or another,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.engadget.com\u002Fgerman-bionic-cray-x-5th-gen-exoskeleton-connectivity-future-of-robotics-140023476.html\" target=\"_blank\">Eitel said\u003C\u002Fa>. “But I think that the exoskeletons that we are looking for in the future are the active ones. I see them being a lot slimmer, smarter, and connected.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>He might be onto something since Hong Kong startup Enhanced Robotics had its Kickstarter campaign funded and promised to bring \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.innovationintextiles.com\u002Fconsumer-desire-for-portable-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">its consumer-oriented exoskeleton \u003C\u002Fa>to the market. Weighing 2.5kg, it was supposed to assist wearers in their fitness activities whether it’s for walking or strength training – but based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kickstarter.com\u002Fprojects\u002F1485648715\u002Fworlds-first-exoskeleton-for-consumers-sportsmate5\u002Fcomments\" target=\"_blank\">on the angry comments from their backers on Kickstarter\u003C\u002Fa>, the project is not going as promised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But as we’ve seen there are over 200 devices in the product catalog of Exoskeleton report, with many companies being in business for over a decade now. Maybe this is the beginning of our exoskeleton-powered future…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":60,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>With over a dozen FDA approved exoskeletons and 84 existing medical products on the market we must prepare for great advancements in this segment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,25227,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,5],506,521,[71,72,73],377,1527,231,[],[],[77,78,79,80,81],1683,1723,1883,3423,3605,[83,53,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94],"post-38439","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cyborgization","category-future-medicine","category-robotics","tag-robotics-2","tag-exoskeleton-technology","tag-exoskeleton",{"id":62,"alt_text":96,"caption":64,"description":97,"media_type":98,"media_details":99,"post":143,"source_url":144},"tmf_exoskeleton technology","TMF","image",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":102,"sizes":103,"image_meta":140},1920,1080,"2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1.png",{"medium":104,"large":110,"thumbnail":115,"medium_large":119,"1536x1536":120,"large_old_512x288":125,"thumbnail_old_150x150":129,"medium_old_370x208":131,"medium_large_old_768x432":134,"large_old_512x288_old_512x288":137},{"file":105,"width":106,"height":107,"mime-type":108,"source_url":109},"119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-370x208.png",{"file":111,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"source_url":114},"119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-768x432.png",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-768x432.png",{"file":116,"width":117,"height":117,"mime-type":108,"source_url":118},"119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-150x150.png",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-150x150.png",{"file":111,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"source_url":114},{"file":121,"width":122,"height":123,"mime-type":108,"source_url":124},"119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-1536x864.png",1536,864,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-1536x864.png",{"file":126,"width":5,"height":127,"mime-type":108,"source_url":128},"119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-512x288.png",288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1-512x288.png",{"file":116,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":118},"150",{"file":105,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":109},"370","208",{"file":111,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":114},"768","432",{"file":126,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":108,"source_url":128},"512","288",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141,"keywords":142},"0",[],25221,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F119_The-state-and-promise-of-exoskeletons-1.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":147,"related_posts_footer":151,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":155},"subscribe",[148,149,150],55605,47427,31417,[152,153,154],57079,57249,9687,[156,158],{"title":157},"\u003Cp>Science fiction has for long fantasized about ways to augment fragile humans’ power and endurance through mechanical means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":159},"\u003Cp>So let’s take a closer look at where those once sci-fi robotic structures stand today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":56,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":161,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":54},"With over a dozen FDA-approved exoskeletons and 84 existing medical products, we must prepare for great advancements in healthcare exoskeletons",{"self":163,"collection":168,"about":171,"author":174,"replies":177,"version-history":180,"predecessor-version":184,"wp:featuredmedia":188,"wp:attachment":191,"wp:term":194,"curies":209},[164],{"href":165,"targetHints":166},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38439",{"allow":167},[27],[169],{"href":170},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[172],{"href":173},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[175],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[178],{"embeddable":41,"href":179},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=38439",[181],{"count":182,"href":183},40,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38439\u002Frevisions",[185],{"id":186,"href":187},61081,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38439\u002Frevisions\u002F61081",[189],{"embeddable":41,"href":190},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F25227",[192],{"href":193},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=38439",[195,197,200,203,206],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":196},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=38439",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":199},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=38439",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":202},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=38439",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":205},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=38439",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":208},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=38439",[210],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":212,"date":213,"date_gmt":214,"guid":215,"modified":217,"modified_gmt":218,"slug":219,"status":52,"type":53,"link":220,"title":221,"content":223,"excerpt":225,"author":61,"featured_media":227,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":228,"categories":229,"tags":232,"project_category":233,"contact_email_category":234,"yst_prominent_words":235,"class_list":240,"better_featured_image":244,"acf":267,"yoast_meta":275,"_links":277},57969,"2026-03-09T10:26:02","2026-03-09T09:26:02",{"rendered":216},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=57969&_wpnonce=4fe90e0a49&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-03-09T10:26:03","2026-03-09T09:26:03","surgical-robots-current-uses-and-future-expectations","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsurgical-robots-current-uses-and-future-expectations",{"rendered":222},"Surgical Robots: Current Uses and Future Expectations",{"rendered":224,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>A staple of science fiction, robots have stirred human creativity since ancient times; and well before the term itself was coined \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fkarel-capek-robots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">by the Čapek brothers\u003C\u002Fa> in 1921. Homer’s Iliad features \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnovoscriptorium.com\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F23\u002Frobotics-and-artificial-integillence-in-the-homeric-epics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">automatons\u003C\u002Fa> while more recent works like \u003Cem>The Terminator\u003C\u002Fem> merge robots and artificial intelligence (AI) to depict doomsday scenarios. Far from the latter apocalyptic scenario, robots have made it past the sci-fi realm and into \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hp.com\u002Fus-en\u002Fshop\u002Ftech-takes\u002Feveryday-robotics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our everyday lives\u003C\u002Fa>. We have grown used to the sight of robot vacuum cleaners in our homes as we have shelf-stacking robots in warehouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The resilience of robots and their imperviousness to human traits such as fatigue have also made them apt \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assistants in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. They have made strides in the field of surgery for their precision and speed. This article will cover the surgical robot landscape and contemplate what we can expect from these mechanical assistants in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What are surgical robots?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the term implies, a surgical robot is an assistive tool for performing surgical procedures. Such manoeuvres, also called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mayoclinic.org\u002Ftests-procedures\u002Frobotic-surgery\u002Fabout\u002Fpac-20394974\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">robotic surgeries\u003C\u002Fa> or robot-assisted surgery, usually involve a human surgeon controlling mechanical arms from a control centre. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While robots in the OT might sound futuristic, they have assisted surgeons for decades already. As far back as 1985, surgical robots would assist in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS1878788611000324\" target=\"_blank\">performing brain biopsies\u003C\u002Fa>. Over the years, the surgical robots market is a booming one and is expected to reach \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saranextgen.com\u002Fhomeworkhelp\u002Findex.php?id=3071\" target=\"_blank\">$14.8 billion by 2027\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-768x384.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15115\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-512x256.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-458x229.jpg 458w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set.jpg 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Robotic surgery isometric icons set with  surgeons patients and medical robots with widescreen touch screen and touch control isolated vector illustration\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A popular surgical robot is the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts-and-services\u002Fda-vinci\u002F5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">da Vinci surgical system\u003C\u002Fa> from Intuitive Surgical. First launched in 2000, the system involves an array of agile and dexterous mechanical arms that can bend and rotate to a far greater extent than the human hand. Human surgeons are always guiding these arms at a surgeon console to carry out more precise operations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Since the da Vinci system was first introduced, Intuitive Surgical has developed newer models and now has fifth-generation da Vinci systems. Over the two decades, more than 8,600 da Vinci systems have been adopted across 71 countries. This evolution shows a growing adoption of the surgical robots as well as a need for such assistants in conducting surgical procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The need for and current use of surgical robotic assistants \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One might question the need for surgical robots in procedures that require human dexterity and agility. In fact, those skills are enhanced by the mechanical assistants. Surgical robots have highly flexible arms that enable surgeons to perform \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mayoclinic.org\u002Ftests-procedures\u002Frobotic-surgery\u002Fabout\u002Fpac-20394974\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">complex and delicate procedures\u003C\u002Fa> that would otherwise be challenging or even impossible. For example, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frobotics-surgical.com\u002Fflex-robotics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flex robotic system\u003C\u002Fa> provides ENT surgeons with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sub-millimeter accuracy\u003C\u002Fa> across non-linear winding paths through a single-site access into the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, robotic surgeries are key in performing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mayoclinic.org\u002Ftests-procedures\u002Frobotic-surgery\u002Fabout\u002Fpac-20394974\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">minimally invasive surgery\u003C\u002Fa>, where the surgery is done via small skin incisions. Through such an approach, patients \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1563559\u002Freport-for-heart-surgery-robot-beats-a-surgeon.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have less complications\u003C\u002Fa>, heal faster and have shorter hospital stays. The da Vinci system allows for heart bypass surgery through a couple of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one centimetre chest incisions\u003C\u002Fa> instead of one-foot long opening required for traditional means. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fpatients\u002Fda-vinci-robotic-surgery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Over 14 million\u003C\u002Fa> surgical procedures have made use of the system worldwide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"future jobs in healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-34321\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond incisions, surgical robots also assist in other procedures. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcmrsurgical.com\u002Fversius\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Versius Surgical Robotic System\u003C\u002Fa> can perform \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC9267445\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">laparoscopies\u003C\u002Fa> ranging from thoracic to urological procedures. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jnjmedtech.com\u002Fen-US\u002Fproduct-family\u002Fmonarch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MONARCH platform\u003C\u002Fa> has been used to complete \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jnjmedtech.com\u002Fen-US\u002Fproduct\u002Fmonarch-bronchoscopy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 20,000 lung biopsies\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgical robots also assist in radiosurgeries. These involve very focused radiation beams for the treatment of cancer tissues. Accuray’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accuray.com\u002Fcyberknife\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CyberKnife\u003C\u002Fa> provides robotic radiation treatment anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy. The company notes that over 350 systems have been installed globally to treat \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than 40,000 patients\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>AI and the automation of surgical robots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Using the assistance of robots to perform surgeries already sounds futuristic but there is a future beyond their current use. In particular, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC10445506\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">researchers foresee\u003C\u002Fa> the combination of AI technologies with surgical robots. Deep learning models could aid surgical robots in learning from experience, akin to a trainee surgeon. They could create and suture surgical incisions; a task that AI-controlled robotic systems have undertaken with precision in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC10839429\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">previous studies\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As AI-powered surgical robots progress through \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-levels-of-automation-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">levels of automation\u003C\u002Fa>, they will become more and more independent. Below we provide a brief description of each of the 5 levels of automation and how they relate to surgical robots. For a more in-depth explanation of these levels, we have dedicated \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-levels-of-automation-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a separate article\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automation level 1: human only\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The initial level involves no AI software. This is the level at which most, if not all, surgical robots are at in practice. They are under human control and essentially act as extensions of the surgeons’ arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automation level 2: shadow mode\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A surgical robot with level 2 automation will be equipped with AI software in “shadow mode”. It will still be under the surgeon’s control but it will learn from the latter so that it can progress through the automation spectrum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automation level 3: AI assistance\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With enough training, a level 3 surgical robot can provide autonomous assistance to surgeons. It can suggest adequate procedures and techniques which can then be signed off by human surgeons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automation level 4: partial automation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the AI software underpinning surgical robots gain more experience and become more confident, a level 4 surgical robot could independently assist surgeons, whether it is through devising surgical techniques or conducting procedures. If it is not confident enough, it will turn to human surgeons for assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automation level 5: full automation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At the 5th automation level, a surgical robot would be able to perform surgeries on its own. It will not require human supervision or input for its own decisions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1292\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F06\u002Ftmf-5-levels-of-automation-768x1292.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47253\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F06\u002Ftmf-5-levels-of-automation-768x1292.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F06\u002Ftmf-5-levels-of-automation.png 642w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Steps to combine AI and robots for surgical ends are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC10839429\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">still in their infancy\u003C\u002Fa>; but over time we can expect such a merger to materialise. Before AI-powered surgical robots make their way to the OT, their safety will need to be ensured and they will need to be supervised by expert surgeons. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future of robots in the realm of surgeries \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through technological progress, we can expect more from surgical robots in the future. For example, at higher levels of automation, surgical robots would be able to make \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC10839429\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">telesurgery\u003C\u002Fa> more accessible. This would enable surgical procedures to be conducted \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.engineering.vanderbilt.edu\u002Fthe-future-of-robotic-surgery-3-trends-to-look-for\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in remote or under-resourced areas\u003C\u002Fa> in order to improve health outcomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We can also expect surgical robots to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.engineering.vanderbilt.edu\u002Fthe-future-of-robotic-surgery-3-trends-to-look-for\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">become smaller\u003C\u002Fa>. This would make them even less invasive than they currently are. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.engineering.vanderbilt.edu\u002Fthe-future-of-robotic-surgery-3-trends-to-look-for\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Micro-robots\u003C\u002Fa>, for example, could even perform targeted surgeries through GI insertion with no external incisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-57617\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Above all, it’s a surgeon-AI-robot collaboration that we should expect rather than fully mechanised procedures. You can think about it as a souped-up version of the current existing assistance of robots that already help perform tens of thousands of surgeries every year. With more automation in the mix, the healthcare landscape stands to benefit from the potential of more precise and more accessible surgeries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":226,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As the term implies, a surgical robot is an assistive tool for performing surgical procedures. Such manoeuvres, also called robotic surgeries or robot-assisted surgery, usually involve a human surgeon controlling mechanical arms from a control centre. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",34403,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,231,5],7079,504,[],[],[],[236,237,238,239],2145,2373,3229,3347,[241,53,84,85,86,87,88,242,243,91],"post-57969","category-tmf","category-artificial-intelligence",{"id":227,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":245,"media_type":98,"media_details":246,"post":265,"source_url":266},"The future of surgery robot robotic robotic-assisted TMF ",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":247,"sizes":248,"image_meta":264},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01.png",{"medium":249,"large":252,"thumbnail":255,"medium_large":258,"1536x1536":259},{"file":250,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":251},"tmf_article_267-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-370x208.png",{"file":253,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":254},"tmf_article_267-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-768x432.png",{"file":256,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":257},"tmf_article_267-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-150x150.png",{"file":253,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":254},{"file":260,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":263},"tmf_article_267-01-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},34359,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":268,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[269,271,273],{"title":270},"\u003Cp>Robots’ potentials have been a fascination for humans and have even led to a booming field of robot-assisted surgery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":272},"\u003Cp>Surgical robots assist surgeons in performing accurate, minimally invasive procedures that are beneficial for patients’ recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":274},"\u003Cp>The assistance of robots extend beyond incisions and includes laparoscopies, radiosurgeries and, in the future, a combination of artificial intelligence technologies to assist surgeons in their craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":276,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":220},"Surgical Robots: Current Uses and Future Expectations - The Medical Futurist",{"self":278,"collection":283,"about":285,"author":287,"replies":289,"version-history":292,"predecessor-version":296,"wp:featuredmedia":300,"wp:attachment":303,"wp:term":306,"curies":317},[279],{"href":280,"targetHints":281},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57969",{"allow":282},[27],[284],{"href":170},[286],{"href":173},[288],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[290],{"embeddable":41,"href":291},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=57969",[293],{"count":294,"href":295},4,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57969\u002Frevisions",[297],{"id":298,"href":299},57981,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57969\u002Frevisions\u002F57981",[301],{"embeddable":41,"href":302},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34403",[304],{"href":305},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=57969",[307,309,311,313,315],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":308},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=57969",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":310},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=57969",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":312},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=57969",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":314},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=57969",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":316},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=57969",[318],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":320,"date":321,"date_gmt":322,"guid":323,"modified":325,"modified_gmt":326,"slug":327,"status":52,"type":53,"link":328,"title":329,"content":331,"excerpt":333,"author":335,"featured_media":336,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":337,"categories":338,"tags":340,"project_category":341,"contact_email_category":342,"yst_prominent_words":343,"class_list":346,"better_featured_image":349,"acf":375,"yoast_meta":383,"_links":385},60197,"2026-01-23T11:08:12","2026-01-23T10:08:12",{"rendered":324},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=60197&_wpnonce=da2c0e535a&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-23T11:08:14","2026-01-23T10:08:14","what-really-happens-when-a-robot-draws-your-blood","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-really-happens-when-a-robot-draws-your-blood",{"rendered":330},"What Really Happens When a Robot Draws Your Blood",{"rendered":332,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>I have been fascinated by blood-drawing robots for years. Not because they feel futuristic, but because phlebotomy is one of the most universal, repetitive, and emotionally charged medical procedures. Almost everyone has experienced it. Some dread it. Some faint from it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>That is why I previously explored \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\">whether patients would even let a robot take their blood\u003C\u002Fa>. Since then, I have closely followed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvitestro.com\u002F\">Vitestro\u003C\u002Fa>, the company behind Aletta®, as they transformed robotic phlebotomy from an experimental idea into a patented, regulated clinical system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vitestro - Aletta Public video ProresHQ\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplayer.vimeo.com\u002Fvideo\u002F1152239001?dnt=1&app_id=122963\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What actually happens during a robotic blood draw\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Vitestro’s latest video shows Aletta performing a fully autonomous diagnostic blood draw, and the experience is strikingly ordinary. The patient sits down. The robotic phlebotomy device uses ultrasound to identify a suitable vein, guides arm positioning, performs venipuncture, fills one or more tubes sequentially, retracts the needle, and applies a bandage. No human hand touches the needle. Everything is automated. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Aletta is already CE marked and in clinical use in Europe, while in the United States, it remains an investigational device awaiting FDA approval. This is no longer a prototype. It is real-world healthcare automation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The question hospital leaders ask first\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When hospital leaders encounter autonomous phlebotomy systems, their first question is usually about \u003Cstrong>cost\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Vitestro does not disclose pricing publicly, particularly because US commercialization depends on regulatory clearance. As they explained,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“As a policy, we do not share pricing publicly, and we have not finalized pricing in the U.S., as Aletta is not FDA-approved for sale or clinical use in the U.S.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While this may sound noncommittal, it highlights an important point. It could mean that Aletta is not positioned as a novelty device, but as a service-level solution that must ultimately prove value through efficiency, scalability, and workforce impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How patients actually react\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the most persistent assumptions about robotic blood draws is \u003Cstrong>patient anxiety\u003C\u002Fstrong>. The data suggests otherwise. Vitestro has already performed nearly ten thousand diagnostic blood draws with Aletta in clinical settings. In studies, ninety percent of patients rated the experience as acceptable or very acceptable. Elderly patients, often assumed to be the most hesitant, represent the largest user group. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_HIGHRES_MG_2270_Vs2_bewerkt-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-768x614.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60203\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_HIGHRES_MG_2270_Vs2_bewerkt-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_HIGHRES_MG_2270_Vs2_bewerkt-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_HIGHRES_MG_2270_Vs2_bewerkt-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to Vitestro,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“Patients respond positively and with curiosity to the procedure, including elderly patients. Following an initial experience, patient acceptance increases further, and some patients actively request to be scheduled with Aletta.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In Vitestro’s most recent survey, eighty-six percent of patients indicated a strong preference, preference, or no preference for Aletta compared to manual phlebotomy. Neutrality matters. According to the team, “Patient feedback indicates that practical guidance is more important than emotional preparation.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than reassurance, the focus is on clarity. On-screen instructions, waiting-room animations, and simple educational materials help patients understand what will happen, which appears to matter more than how futuristic the system looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens after the needle comes out\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A common question concerns post-draw pressure. In the video, the robot applies a \u003Cstrong>bandage \u003C\u002Fstrong>and moves away. I asked them, so Vitestro clarified that pressure is applied as part of the bandage process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“After all the tubes are filled, the needle automatically retracts, and Aletta applies a bandage over the venipuncture site with controlled pressure to facilitate hemostasis.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The moment shown is after pressure has already been applied. In a small percentage of cases, supervising staff may add extra pressure, just as with manual blood draws. Pressure levels and duration continue to be optimized as part of system refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_MG_0282_HIGHRES-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60205\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_MG_0282_HIGHRES-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_MG_0282_HIGHRES-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FVITESTRO_MG_0282_HIGHRES-©-Norbert-Waalboer-Fotografie.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who can operate such a device?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Aletta is designed for supervised self-operation. One trained supervisor can oversee up to three robotic blood draw devices simultaneously. Patients complete the procedure independently, while the supervisor provides guidance, answers questions, and manages consumables. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“The system alerts the supervisor through visual indicators on the device, and a dedicated supervisor interface provides real-time visibility into consumable levels and required actions,” Vitestro explained. This is not about replacing healthcare professionals, but about extending their capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Safety mechanisms\u003C\u002Fstrong> are integrated throughout the process. Patients can pause or stop the procedure at any time before venipuncture. During venipuncture, either the patient or supervisor can immediately abort the procedure using an emergency button. Fainting can still occur, at similar rates to manual phlebotomy, and supervisors can intervene immediately. The system also automatically stops if unexpected movement is detected, and the use of specialized phlebotomy chairs reduces fall risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What robotic phlebotomy really signals\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Robotic blood drawing does not signal a future without humans in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It signals a future where autonomy is tightly supervised and designed around real clinical workflows. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Aletta does not ask whether robots can draw blood. It shows what it actually looks and feels like when they do. And that experience turns out to be far more practical and far less dramatic than many expect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic blood drawing could offer hospitals a potential way to scale phlebotomy services, reduce bottlenecks, and mitigate workforce shortages. A few years ago, it was unimaginable to use robots for such a delicate process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now, early data suggest that patients adapt quickly, supervision requirements are modest, and safety mechanisms closely mirror existing workflows. As regulatory approvals expand, autonomous phlebotomy systems like Aletta may become less a futuristic experiment and more a pragmatic infrastructure decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":334,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>I have been fascinated by blood-drawing robots for years. Not because they feel futuristic, but because phlebotomy is one of the most universal, repetitive, and […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,46653,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,339,5],499,[],[],[],[344,345],1631,2877,[347,53,84,85,86,87,88,90,348,91],"post-60197","category-healthcare-design",{"id":336,"alt_text":350,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":351,"post":373,"source_url":374},"Blood drawing robot Vitestro TMF",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":352,"sizes":353,"image_meta":372},"2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1.png",{"medium":354,"large":357,"thumbnail":360,"medium_large":363,"1536x1536":364,"2048x2048":367},{"file":355,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":356},"Blood-Drawing-robot-1-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1-370x208.png",{"file":358,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":359},"Blood-Drawing-robot-1-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1-768x432.png",{"file":361,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":362},"Blood-Drawing-robot-1-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1-150x150.png",{"file":358,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":359},{"file":365,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":366},"Blood-Drawing-robot-1-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1-1536x864.png",{"file":368,"width":369,"height":370,"mime-type":108,"source_url":371},"Blood-Drawing-robot-1-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},null,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FBlood-Drawing-robot-1.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":376,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[377,379,381],{"title":378},"\u003Cp>Robotic blood draws are no longer a futuristic experiment but a real clinical workflow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":380},"\u003Cp>Patient acceptance turns out to be driven more by clarity and guidance than emotional reassurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":382},"\u003Cdiv class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n\u003Carticle class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:632f1319-68e4-47c1-80fb-d0423550d6c8-5\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-12\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\u002Fmain:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\u002Fmain:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\u002Fmain:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\u002Fturn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"a397eaa6-1ca7-4f05-8c02-ac75b92371ab\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\">\n\u003Cp data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"469\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Robotic blood drawing could offer hospitals a potential way to scale phlebotomy services, reduce bottlenecks, and mitigate workforce shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"text-center\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Farticle>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"pointer-events-none h-px w-px absolute bottom-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-edge=\"true\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":384,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":328},"What Really Happens When a Robot Draws Your Blood - The Medical Futurist",{"self":386,"collection":391,"about":393,"author":395,"replies":398,"version-history":401,"predecessor-version":405,"wp:featuredmedia":409,"wp:attachment":412,"wp:term":415,"curies":426},[387],{"href":388,"targetHints":389},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60197",{"allow":390},[27],[392],{"href":170},[394],{"href":173},[396],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[399],{"embeddable":41,"href":400},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=60197",[402],{"count":403,"href":404},2,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60197\u002Frevisions",[406],{"id":407,"href":408},60207,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60197\u002Frevisions\u002F60207",[410],{"embeddable":41,"href":411},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F46653",[413],{"href":414},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=60197",[416,418,420,422,424],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":417},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=60197",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":419},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=60197",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":421},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=60197",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":423},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=60197",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":425},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=60197",[427],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":429,"date":430,"date_gmt":431,"guid":432,"modified":434,"modified_gmt":435,"slug":436,"status":52,"type":53,"link":437,"title":438,"content":440,"excerpt":442,"author":335,"featured_media":444,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":445,"categories":446,"tags":450,"project_category":461,"contact_email_category":463,"yst_prominent_words":464,"class_list":473,"better_featured_image":489,"acf":510,"yoast_meta":524,"_links":527},43409,"2026-01-20T15:46:04","2026-01-20T14:46:04",{"rendered":433},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=43409&_wpnonce=ef79d0c80c&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-20T15:46:09","2026-01-20T14:46:09","ten-super-creepy-technologies-in-medicine","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ften-super-creepy-technologies-in-medicine",{"rendered":439},"The Top 10 Super-Creepy Medical Technologies",{"rendered":441,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>We are all for new technologies here, spending our days researching where the science of medicine goes. With that said, every now and then, we see something so creepy that it freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So here we collected ten examples of either super creepy medical technologies or ingeniously evil uses of perfectly innocent technologies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The blood-drawing robots\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>First, this \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">doesn’t really sound creepy\u003C\u002Fa>. Drawing blood might not be our favourite thing, but nothing of a terror for most of us either. Vein scanners have been around for a while, actually being a useful little tool to make sure you find good veins with sufficient blood flow. Robots are around hospitals, and the pandemic accelerated their deployment.\u003Cbr>However, when you \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnet.com\u002Fscience\u002Fthis-robot-is-excellent-at-drawing-human-blood\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">put this all together\u003C\u002Fa>, and the thing looks like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Need to draw blood? A robot in China can help you\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FezZXXX39hX0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even we have to admit, this is flat-out creepy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virtually reuniting with our deceased loved ones\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You probably have heard about this Korean project in which a young mother was able to meet with her deceased daughter in virtual reality. This video is heartbreaking and very disturbing at the same time, raising a number of ethical and emotional questions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of course, as many have pointed out, this mother has chosen to participate in this venture; she was not forced to do that. And however upsetting it is, one Korean commenter of the video helped everyone to understand the context of Hyeon-mong – a final farewell. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Virtual reality "reunites" mother with dead daughter in South Korean doc\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F0p8HZVCZSkc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“This means a special dream. After a person dies, the soul stands trial (…) and after the trial, [the] dead one can appear in the dream of a living family. When people lose a precious person, [they believe that with dreaming about the loved one] that precious one would have gone to heaven through that dream.  But there is one contradiction in the Korean traditional religion. The soul of a child under 10 is not to be tried. Because a child’s soul is immediately led to “Western sky-flower garden” (…) So the mother who lost her child can not dream and say goodbye. This project was carried out to reduce such grief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good morning, time to wake up with electroshock!\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are you a morning kind of person? Good for you! Are you having difficulties with the mornings? Is the Snooze button your best friend? Do you have regular troubles with sleeping in? We have good news for you! \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For only a moderate amount of money, you can buy your own electroshocking watch that will make sure you get out of bed faster than ever before. And like any good Pavlovian dog, it promises to train your brain in no time. As far as I understand, the method is pretty straightforward. You do what your watch tells you to do (jumping jacks, 5 seconds after waking up, anyone?), or you get shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shock Clock 2 - The World's Smartest Alarm Clock\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fjqju6X2hgVw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The marketing material is not short of grand promises, but frankly, I just don’t get it. Unless you have narcolepsy or a similar problem, you either wanna get up in time, so you don’t lose your job, for example, or you don’t care. If you care, you just get up. If you don’t care, why would you put on that freaking shocking watch in the first place? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The microchip implanted under your skin\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frfid-implant-chip\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human RFID implants have actually been around for a while\u003C\u002Fa>, and you can use them for a number of things. (We mean, you can choose to use them FROM a number of things, but are not yet able to do all of these at once). So with a rice-sized implant in your hand, you can open your car, your door, you can just use your hand for contactless payment in the shop, or store your vaccination pass there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Should You Get An RFID Implant? \u002F Episode 2 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FGs0bVs8QuWE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robot nanny for growing babies in artificial wombs\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Scientists in China have created a robotic artificial intelligence system to monitor and care for human embryos growing in artificial wombs. The AI robot is being developed as a potential solution to population growth problems in the world’s most populous country, with birth rates recently falling to their lowest level in six decades.” – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.independent.co.uk\u002Ftech\u002Frobot-nanny-china-population-b2004342.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you can read in the Independent\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1-768x329.jpg\" alt=\"artificial womb\" class=\"wp-image-44509\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1.jpg 1482w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to the paper, the system allows the foetus to grow more safely and efficiently than it does within the natural setting of a woman’s womb. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Seriously, what is wrong with these people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Falling in love with an A.I. girlfriend\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is a story of a man \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.sky.com\u002Fstory\u002Fi-fell-in-love-with-my-ai-girlfriend-and-it-saved-my-marriage-12548082?fbclid=IwAR2NfbHTMhq5X83E5uxHGoBhhPcLn5ZsBBM4GEdioXjLldHDlsrN1pxcJGg\" target=\"_blank\">who claims to be falling in love with his A.I. chatbot girlfriend\u003C\u002Fa>. He even says that the newfound love actually saved his existing marriage. Please, don’t misunderstand me, I fully believe that life must have been extremely difficult with a severely depressed wife with heavy drinking problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover-768x403.png\" alt=\"AI girlfriend artificial intelligence chatbot companion\" class=\"wp-image-43427\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover-768x403.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But still, there is something very uncanny about reading about a two-day-old virtual relationship blossoming into love, especially, witnessing the depth of the conversation Sarina, the A.I. girlfriend, is able to provide. While psychologists agree that non-judgemental acceptance is the best way to open up fully and present ourselves with our weaknesses, hundreds of thousands of people reporting the use of the app’s \u003Cem>romantic \u003C\u002Fem>setting to form ‘personal’ relationships is worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Designer babies and toying with CRISPR technology\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A Chinese scientist shocked the scientific community in 2018 with the announcement that he tried to bestow two baby girls the ability to resist possible future infections with HIV. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gene editing technologies grant scientists the power to add, alter or remove parts of any creature’s DNA. Well, unicorns or dragons may be out of the question, but mosquitos’ or even Christmas trees’ tiniest building blocks may be the subject of such scientific meddling. While numerous approaches emerged to gene editing, one of the most well-known is CRISPR. It is the fastest, cheapest and most efficient method developed so far. You can \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdesigner-babies-a-dystopian-sidetrack-of-gene-editing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">read about the topic in detail here\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"behavioral genetics\" class=\"wp-image-23297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While gene editing and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRISPR technology\u003C\u002Fa> hold great promises, the ethical implications are paramount. In opening Pandora’s box (it is clear humanity is doing that), what horrors are we inviting upon us? Are we placing babies in the hands of future parents as toys in the arms of Gods? What happens if the more affluent layers of society edit their genes into long and healthy lives while the poorer groups stand in line for medication? Will gene technologies give a new direction to inequality? What if governments with authoritarian inclinations start using it for shaping society?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advertising is infiltrating our dreams\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Last year, in a discreet building in downtown Los Angeles, 18 subjects were instructed to watch a strange video featuring a synth-laden soundtrack and natural imagery interspersed with glimpses of Coors Light beer cans. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthehustle.co\u002Fare-advertisers-going-to-infiltrate-our-dreams\u002F?fbclid=IwAR0S2JezIevhiXli7KzTBxLmC4ZBZseHf0knd8d3OruRS0q83jKOn_5FH0Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coors’ stated goal was science-fiction worthy\u003C\u002Fa>: the company wanted to “shape and compel [the] subconscious” into dreaming about beer. Shockingly, it seemed to work. Around 30% of the participants reported that Coors products made an appearance in their dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1-768x383.jpg\" alt=\"Advertizers infiltrating dreams\" class=\"wp-image-43431\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1-768x383.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are advertisers going to infiltrate our dreams? It’s a simple question to answer. If we decide to use technologies while sleeping, they will, and I’ve already seen prototypes of wearable devices that are meant to induce better quality sleep. How unnerving is the thought of even our dreams being robbed from us and becoming a marketing channel? Please, companies, stay out of our heads!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News about your terminal illness arriving on wheels and on a screen\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ernest Quintana, 78, an inpatient of a California medical centre was living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years. Although his family knew that he would die soon, they were not prepared to see\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F10\u002Fhealth\u002Fpatient-dies-robot-doctor\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a machine rolling into his room\u003C\u002Fa> and a doctor, appearing via live video, explaining that according to the latest results of the medical tests, there is nothing they can do, and he is not even sure if Ernest will be able to make it home to receive hospice care. The on-screen doctor was accompanied by an in-person nurse, standing silently during the interlude – his granddaughter, who witnessed the scene, explained. The man died the following day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1-768x582.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60185\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1-768x582.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1.png 1531w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The use of this kind of technology for a small hospital is logical: it allows them to have additional specialists available 24\u002F7, bringing further consultative expertise to the bedside. But a situation like this should never have happened to anyone, every medical technology must remain humane in the first place, and questions of efficiency must only follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding your X-ray on sale for 2 thousand pounds as an NFT  – created by your doctor without your consent\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A senior surgeon at a Paris hospital put the image of a woman’s forearm with a Kalashnikov bullet lodged near the bone up for sale online as an NFT without the patient’s knowledge. And not only did he offer the NFT for a little over 2 thousand pounds, but he also published many details about the injury, making it possible to identify the victim, a survivor of the 2015 Bataclan massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Consequences followed the case, the doctor faced legal actions, the hospital apologised, and the media \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fworld-europe-60124931?fbclid=IwAR1eAPuDE5Mhx8fhmyGKlIL7Ple2nTdAWxZ20haM3ngTfcQuDRA_nklbnNY\">chewed on the story\u003C\u002Fa> for a while. This is a grand example of how the most innocent of technologies – an X-ray image and hyped NFT tokens – can turn into something shockingly immoral in the hands of someone without ethical standards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":443,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Every now and then we see something that freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. From robot nannies taking care of human babies grown in artificial wombs to waking up with an electric shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",43429,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,447,68,5,448,449],511,515,799,[451,452,453,454,455,456,457,458,459,460],555,645,674,134,215,904,407,445,1499,7563,[462],951,[],[465,466,78,467,468,469,470,471,472],1593,1719,1851,2017,2613,3357,4469,5085,[474,53,84,85,86,87,88,242,475,89,91,476,477,478,479,480,481,482,483,484,485,486,487,488],"post-43409","category-bioethics","category-science-fiction","category-security-privacy","tag-blood-draw","tag-sleep-tracking","tag-artificial-womb","tag-ai","tag-dream","tag-gene-editing","tag-smartwatch","tag-virtual-reality","tag-medical-robot","tag-creepy-technologies","project_category-patients",{"id":444,"alt_text":490,"caption":64,"description":491,"media_type":98,"media_details":492,"post":429,"source_url":509},"creepy blood drawing robot","blood drawing robot",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":493,"sizes":494,"image_meta":508},"2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest.png",{"medium":495,"large":498,"thumbnail":501,"medium_large":504,"1536x1536":505},{"file":496,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":497},"creepiest-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-370x208.png",{"file":499,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":500},"creepiest-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-768x432.png",{"file":502,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":503},"creepiest-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-150x150.png",{"file":499,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":500},{"file":506,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":507},"creepiest-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":511,"related_posts_footer":515,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":519},[512,513,514],24762,24763,24759,[516,517,518],11923,21023,17240,[520,522],{"title":521},"\u003Cp>Some health technologies are simply too much to handle, or even outright weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":523},"\u003Cp>Here we collected ten examples of either super creepy medical technologies or ingeniously evil uses of perfectly innocent technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":525,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":526,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":437},"The Top 10 Super-Creepy Medical Technologies - The Medical Futurist","We are not an easy team to shock, but every now and then we see something so creepy, that it freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. ",{"self":528,"collection":533,"about":535,"author":537,"replies":539,"version-history":542,"predecessor-version":546,"wp:featuredmedia":550,"wp:attachment":553,"wp:term":556,"curies":567},[529],{"href":530,"targetHints":531},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409",{"allow":532},[27],[534],{"href":170},[536],{"href":173},[538],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[540],{"embeddable":41,"href":541},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=43409",[543],{"count":544,"href":545},23,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409\u002Frevisions",[547],{"id":548,"href":549},60195,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409\u002Frevisions\u002F60195",[551],{"embeddable":41,"href":552},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F43429",[554],{"href":555},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=43409",[557,559,561,563,565],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":558},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=43409",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":560},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=43409",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":562},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=43409",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":564},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=43409",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":566},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=43409",[568],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":570,"date":571,"date_gmt":572,"guid":573,"modified":575,"modified_gmt":576,"slug":577,"status":52,"type":53,"link":578,"title":579,"content":581,"excerpt":583,"author":61,"featured_media":585,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":586,"categories":587,"tags":591,"project_category":592,"contact_email_category":593,"yst_prominent_words":594,"class_list":608,"better_featured_image":613,"acf":634,"yoast_meta":640,"_links":642},58151,"2026-01-20T15:40:48","2026-01-20T14:40:48",{"rendered":574},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58151&_wpnonce=4c8646a66e&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-20T15:40:50","2026-01-20T14:40:50","8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era",{"rendered":580},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era",{"rendered":582,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the digital health era, the pharmaceutical industry has been experiencing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a rapid evolution\u003C\u002Fa>. Thanks to the new paradigms that novel healthcare delivery approaches and digital health technologies have brought about, pharma companies need to adopt \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-ai-and-digital-health-future-of-pharma-prescription-for-change\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new strategies\u003C\u002Fa> and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this article, we cover 8 major trends for pharma companies to consider in the digital health era. We rank them based on their return-on-investment (ROI) and return-on-vision (ROV). The latter is particularly relevant in this era considering its rapid rate of evolution. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To better appreciate the importance of ROV, we can consider the Apollo program. While it was focused on space exploration, the endeavour has resulted in a multitude of spin-off products across various fields. In the healthcare sector, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.space.com\u002F731-nasa-spin-offs-bringing-space-earth.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">those spin-offs range from\u003C\u002Fa> medical imaging to innovations in dental care. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, current investments can have wide ranging applications in the future. From AI in drug development to digital therapeutics, a host of new technologies and trends hold promising ROI and ROV for pharma companies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Artificial Intelligence for drug research and development\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The process of drug research and development has traditionally been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">a time-consuming and labour-intensive one\u003C\u002Fa>. This has involved \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">considerable trial-and-error research\u003C\u002Fa> before a drug can proceed to further developmental stages. This process can be made more time- and cost-efficient \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai\u002F\">with the assistance of artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fa> (AI).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52039\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">AI models, such as those developed by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benevolent.com\u002F\">Benevolent AI\u003C\u002Fa>, can analyse \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fcouncils\u002Fforbesbusinesscouncil\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F29\u002Fai-is-rapidly-transforming-drug-discovery\u002F\">significant amounts of datasets\u003C\u002Fa> from scientific literature, clinical records and chemical databases in a more time efficient manner than humans can. From this information, they can precisely identify targets and how potential drugs will interact with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schrodinger.com\u002F\">Schrödinger\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Ftechnology\u002Fai\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-isomorphic-alphafold-3-ai-model\u002F\">Google DeepMind\u003C\u002Fa> have used AI for drug formulation. Their software predicts the behaviour of drug candidates and assess their safety and effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. New reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharma companies can tap into the new healthcare experience that patients can have in the digital health era to offer more than just medication. By combining medication and technology packages, they can offer more enticing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fa> for both payers and providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26335\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-512x289.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>There have been several examples of such innovative models in the past that combine pharmaceuticals with technology. GSK has worked with Propeller Health \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002F48885\u002Fgsk-ventures-into-connected-inhaler-space-with-propeller-health-deal\">on smart inhalers\u003C\u002Fa>. Partners Healthcare Center and Japanese drug maker Daichii-Sankyo \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fdepth-pharma%E2%80%99s-digital-health-initiatives-move-commercialization\">teamed up\u003C\u002Fa> to bring a connected wearable for patients with atrial fibrillation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital tools \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">have been shown to improve\u003C\u002Fa> health outcomes while minimising financial costs. With such offerings, pharma companies can make their products stand out while being beneficial for both patients and insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Large language models for improved workflow and customer service\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Large language models (LLMs) have been popularised by tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Beyond the hype, the technology is a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">practical trend\u003C\u002Fa> in the pharma industry.  LLMs can boost a company’s efficiency by optimising internal operations and customer service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52139\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Roche’s internal LLM tool, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fdavedrodge_chatgpt-health-rochegpt-activity-7111805972209090561-ATUk\u002F\">Roche GPT\u003C\u002Fa>, assists the pharma company’s team in optimising repetitive tasks and share knowledge. The tool further supports their business by automating structured data extraction about therapies and patients from scientific articles and clinical test results. Pfizer has also deployed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdigiday.com\u002Fmarketing\u002Fwith-charlie-pfizer-is-building-a-new-generative-ai-platform-for-pharma-marketing\u002F\">a similar tool\u003C\u002Fa> to help with its marketing efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>LLMs could further be used to improve customer service. With an LLM-powered chatbot, patients \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">can get answers to their queries\u003C\u002Fa> such as medication side effects in their native language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Automation in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pharma industry’s supply chain stands to gain a lot by embracing automation in its midst. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Frd\u002Freducing-drug-shortages-power-ai-pharma-supply-chain-management\">by integrating AI\u003C\u002Fa>, drug shortages can be averted. By analysing data from various sources, AI software can forecast potential disruptions and suggest adequate measures to ensure a steady supply of essential medication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-26469\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Automation in the supply chain does not only involve AI software but robotics is also part of the picture. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.densorobotics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fmedical-pharmaceutical\u002F\">Denso Robotics\u003C\u002Fa>’ robots are capable of automating tasks in the manufacturing process. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeleton-technology\u002F\">Exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> are another example of robotics assistance. While not fully automating tasks, they augment manual factory workers’ ability to carry heavy loads and working in uncomfortable positions. In the future, we can even expect automated drone deliveries to be carried out within manufacturing sites and beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Digital therapeutics \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Using software as treatment might have sounded like a science fiction concept a decade or so ago, but this prospect is very real and promising with the advent of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">digital therapeutics (DTx)\u003C\u002Fa>. DTx can be described as evidence-based software applications designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"pharmacy smart watch DTx\" class=\"wp-image-36065\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The accessibility, privacy and minimal side effects that DTx provide have enticed pharma companies to invest in this trend. Pfizer has teamed with Sidekick Health to launch \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002F67510798\">a DTx solution for atopic dermatitis\u003C\u002Fa>. Eli Lilly also partnered with Sidekick Health to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Feli-lilly-taps-sidekick-health-tailor-smartphone-apps-breast-cancer-patients\">develop apps to support\u003C\u002Fa> breast cancer treatment. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F16\u002F22785609\u002Fvr-chronic-pain-fda\">RelieVRx\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdtxalliance.org\u002Fproducts\u002Fhellobetter-chronicpain\u002F\">HelloBetter\u003C\u002Fa> integrate cognitive behavioural therapy principles in their apps to ease chronic pain. We share more promising DTx examples in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">a dedicated article\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. 3D bioprinting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another scifi-like but promising trend in the industry is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">3D Bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa>. This technique involves the “printing” of living tissues, such as blood vessels, bones or skin, via the additive manufacturing technology of 3D printing. It requires living cells and a nurturing environment provided by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.howstuffworks.com\u002Fmedicine\u002Fmodern-technology\u002F3-d-bioprinting.htm#pt3\">a microgel\u003C\u002Fa>. The ability to print human tissues implies that the need for animal testing could be a thing of the past while demonstrating more accurate results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, bioprinting companies\" class=\"wp-image-21550\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Several companies have investigated 3D bioprinting over the years, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">with different rates of success\u003C\u002Fa>. However, the potential of the approach has caught the interest of major pharmaceutical players who have ongoing partnerships with 3D bioprinting companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Novo Nordisk and Aspect Biosystems \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aspectbiosystems.com\u002Fnews-resources\u002Fnovo-nordisk-partnership-to-develop-bioprinted-tissue-therapeutics-for-diabetes-and-obesity\">are collaborating\u003C\u002Fa> to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics with the aim of developing treatments for diabetes and obesity. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Forganovo.com\u002Fabout\u002Fwho-we-are\u002F\">Organovo\u003C\u002Fa> uses its 3D bioprinting technology to create human models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This helps them better understand and develop drug therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. 3D printed drugs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While at a relatively nascent stage, 3D printed drugs have made strides since Spritam, the first 3D-printed prescription drug to treat symptoms of epilepsy, was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Frobertszczerba\u002F2015\u002F08\u002F04\u002Ffda-approves-first-3-d-printed-drug\u002F#21226e315675\">approved by the FDA\u003C\u002Fa> in 2015. UK-based FabRx is already studying the efficacy and customisation of 3D printed drugs in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprinting.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-3d-printed-pediatric-medicine-trials-to-begin-in-europe\u002F\">the first paediatric clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> of such medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited.png 1527w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>3D printing drugs is a promising trend for personalised medication based on individual patient’s needs. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F261126\u002Fresearchers-3d-print-six-different-drugs-multi-layered-polypill\u002F\">multi-layered, 3D printed “polypills”\u003C\u002Fa> can contain several drugs in one pill to assist patients in medication adherence. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The ability to 3D print drugs can also decentralise drug manufacturing, bringing the production of medication closer to the point of care. Pharmacies could 3D print customised pills and improve medication access to underserved areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. \u003Cem>in silico\u003C\u002Fem> clinical trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\">\u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa> promise to enable the conduction of experiments wholly via computer simulation, without the need for animal or human testing. By running drug trials on computer simulations of organs, this approach can be both time and cost effective while circumventing the side effects on live participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>While this promise has yet to be fully realised, progress has been made towards it. The Wyss Institute \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Ftechnology\u002Fhuman-organs-on-chips\u002F\">has developed organs-on-a-chip\u003C\u002Fa> to emulate the complex structures and functions of living human organs. Their technology has been leveraged by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femulatebio.com\u002F\">Emulate Inc\u003C\u002Fa> for efficient drug development. The mathematical model of human physiology created by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002F\">HumMod\u003C\u002Fa> has been used in \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002Fprojects\u002F\">several research projects\u003C\u002Fa>. Further envisioning a future trending towards \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>trials, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vph-institute.org\u002F\">Virtual Physiological Human Institute\u003C\u002Fa> has been set up to encourage the effective adoption of \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>medical research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future of the pharma industry relies on patient design\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These 8 trends hold tremendous potential for the future of the pharmaceutical industry. From personalised care to efficient supply chains, pharma companies integrating such approaches can consider their investments beyond ROI but also as investments in the future of the field thanks to the considerable ROV they represent. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such endeavours will be in vain if companies don’t embrace patient design. This entails the involvement of patients at the highest level of decision-making processes. In the digital health age, patients are more empowered than ever and want to have their voices heard in matters that impact their health. This is exemplified by patient-led \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fopenaps.org\u002F\">DIY artificial pancreas\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com\u002Fcool-tech\u002Fdiy-medicine-expert-interview\u002F\">DIY medicine\u003C\u002Fa> movements. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why is Patient Design Essential in Healthcare? \u002F Episode 6 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FhjPcpVaJ9xU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The FDA has even acknowledged the importance of patient design and has established its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fadvisory-committees\u002Fcommittees-and-meeting-materials\u002Fpatient-engagement-advisory-committee\">Patient Engagement Advisory Committee\u003C\u002Fa>. Pharma companies should adopt a similar approach and include patient input in their midst. For example, they can utilise platforms such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.antidote.me\u002F\">Antidote\u003C\u002Fa> to help patients find the right clinical trial while cutting costs incurred due to delays in finding participants. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Patients can give invaluable insights to companies with their experience as medication users and benefit the drug development process. It’s a win-win situation that begins by adopting the principles of patient design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":584,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",36305,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,588,589,339,590,5,448],490,802,489,[],[],[],[595,596,597,598,599,600,601,602,603,604,605,606,607],1617,1625,1885,3201,3335,3341,4483,1599,4491,1607,4907,1609,1613,[609,53,84,85,86,87,88,242,610,611,348,612,91,476],"post-58151","category-future-of-pharma","category-health-insurance","category-personalized-medicine",{"id":585,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":614,"media_type":98,"media_details":615,"post":632,"source_url":633},"Digital tools disrupting the supply chains of Pharma",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":616,"sizes":617,"image_meta":631},"2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"medium":618,"large":621,"thumbnail":624,"medium_large":627,"1536x1536":628},{"file":619,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":620},"tmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png",{"file":622,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":623},"tmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png",{"file":625,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":626},"tmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png",{"file":622,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":623},{"file":629,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":630},"tmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},17427,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":635,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[636,638],{"title":637},"\u003Cp>With the rapidly evolving pace of the healthcare landscape in the digital health era, pharmaceutical companies have to adopt new strategies and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":639},"\u003Cp>We share 8 major trends, ranked based on their return-on-investment and return-on-vision; because a long-term vision is necessary to stay up-to-date in this space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":641,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":578},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era - The Medical Futurist",{"self":643,"collection":648,"about":650,"author":652,"replies":654,"version-history":657,"predecessor-version":661,"wp:featuredmedia":665,"wp:attachment":668,"wp:term":671,"curies":682},[644],{"href":645,"targetHints":646},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151",{"allow":647},[27],[649],{"href":170},[651],{"href":173},[653],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[655],{"embeddable":41,"href":656},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58151",[658],{"count":659,"href":660},7,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions",[662],{"id":663,"href":664},58183,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions\u002F58183",[666],{"embeddable":41,"href":667},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36305",[669],{"href":670},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58151",[672,674,676,678,680],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":673},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58151",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":675},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58151",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":677},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":679},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":681},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58151",[683],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":685,"date":686,"date_gmt":687,"guid":688,"modified":686,"modified_gmt":687,"slug":690,"status":52,"type":53,"link":691,"title":692,"content":694,"excerpt":696,"author":61,"featured_media":698,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":699,"categories":700,"tags":708,"project_category":724,"contact_email_category":729,"yst_prominent_words":730,"class_list":738,"better_featured_image":766,"acf":787,"yoast_meta":799,"_links":802},34265,"2025-09-22T12:15:22","2025-09-22T10:15:22",{"rendered":689},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=34265&_wpnonce=84d672628d&status=auto-draft&type=post","future-jobs-in-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-jobs-in-healthcare",{"rendered":693},"7 Futuristic Professions In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"rendered":695,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>If you’re among the thousands of medical students worldwide or are about to pursue a degree in healthcare, it might have dawned on you that the field wouldn’t look the same by the time you get into clinical practice. With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-emergency-medicine-innovations-making-patients-point-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">drones delivering medical supplies\u003C\u002Fa>; an ever-increasing wealth of data from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-body-map-of-health-trackers-infographic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">personal health sensors\u003C\u002Fa>; and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">patients turning to telemedicine\u003C\u002Fa>, the medical workplace will decidedly look different by then. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But you also regularly hear news like how algorithms are able to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-artificial-intelligence-companies-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">beat radiologists\u003C\u002Fa> to the punch when identifying cancerous lesions in medical images. These \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-019-03847-z\" target=\"_blank\">can fuel fear\u003C\u002Fa> that such advanced technologies will put physicians out of their jobs. While the likes of artificial intelligence and robotics will indeed replace existing professions, it cannot be stressed enough that those same technologies will create new jobs. Consider how the automobile industry took over horse carriages in the early 20th century. Younger generations of horse carriage drivers did not lose their job \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnew-jobs-in-the-future-of-healthcare-medicine-i\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">by adapting to the prevalent changes\u003C\u002Fa>, and shifted to using cars in their businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, it’s more accurate to say that those who don’t adopt those disruptive digital health technologies will be replaced by those who do so. So let’s see 7 of those new professions that are practical enough that people going into their careers could start specialising towards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Deep learning expert: the algorithm trainer \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From handling repetitive administrative tasks to uncovering clinical associations invisible to the human eye, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-in-healthcare-insights-from-the-new-e-book\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">A.I.’s prowess in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> is far-reaching. But paramount to employing competent algorithms is their efficient development. A.I. is all too often trained on medical data which are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-bias-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">fraught with inherent biases\u003C\u002Fa>; or developers use selected datasets \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbioethical-issues\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">not totally reflective of actual clinical environments\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is where a deep learning expert comes in: to ensure proper training of medical A.I. Whether it’s for an autonomous emergency drone to find the optimal path to reach its destination or for \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens-healthineers.com\u002Fdigital-health-solutions\u002Fdigital-solutions-overview\u002Fclinical-decision-support\u002Fai-pathway-companion\" target=\"_blank\">devising treatment plans\u003C\u002Fa>, such an expert will be able to guide and supervise the development and deployment of effective and ethical algorithms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png\" alt=\"A.I. in medicine\" class=\"wp-image-23751\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Lifestyle strategist: to guide patients with their health data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The number of connected wearable devices worldwide is over one billion by now. Thanks to the democratised access to individual health data they provide, this adoption trend is set to perpetuate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For such adopters, a lifestyle strategist will guide them in navigating the load of data they constantly collect and devices they use from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffood-scanners\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">food scanners\u003C\u002Fa> through \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwe-used-3-devices-for-meditation-heres-what-we-found\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">meditation headbands\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwithings-scanwatch-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ECG monitors\u003C\u002Fa>. Based on those individual health metrics, the lifestyle strategist can create personalised lifestyle, diet and workout routines for their patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Already, training in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flifestyle-medicine-could-be-the-key-for-digital-health-adoption\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the emerging field of lifestyle medicine\u003C\u002Fa> is helping physicians adopt such a role and it can help redesign primary care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Telesurgeon: performing surgeries from afar\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By 2025, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marketsandmarkets.com\u002FMarket-Reports\u002Fmedical-robotic-systems-market-2916860.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">analysts expect\u003C\u002Fa> the global medical robots market to reach $12.7 billion; up from its $5.9 billion valuation in 2020. Combine that with the fact that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5g-in-healthcare-boosting-telehealth-vr-connected-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">5G in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> is just around the corner, and it’s easy to see a rising demand for specialists well-versed in surgical robots. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the assistance of robots, surgeons will not only be able to perform more intricate procedures but also to perform them remotely. And to fine-tune their skills, surgeons can employ technologies like augmented or virtual reality. These can adequately help plan for operations or even boost surgeons’ performance. Indeed, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">studies show\u003C\u002Fa> that VR-trained surgeons experienced a boost in their overall performance compared to their traditionally-trained counterparts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-33337\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Bioprinting experts: to design synthetic organs \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While we are currently limited to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting tissues\u003C\u002Fa>, full-blown synthetic organs are an eventuality down the line. Some experts even believe that we will have a bioprinted heart in an animal \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F278969\u002Fams-2021-deconstructing-the-timeline-to-bioprinted-organs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in 12 years\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such bioprinted organs will be lifesaving for the thousands of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.organdonor.gov\u002Fstatistics-stories\u002Fstatistics.html\" target=\"_blank\">organ transplant candidates\u003C\u002Fa>; and with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.howstuffworks.com\u002Fmedicine\u002Fmodern-technology\u002F3-d-bioprinting.htm#pt3\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting techniques\u003C\u002Fa>, these organs can be custom-designed to individual patients. For this purpose, we will need bioprinting experts to scale the bioprinting material and scaffold to each patient’s needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Patient assistant: helping patients navigate the healthcare jungle\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the heavy technological presence in the future of healthcare, one of the most important aspects will be the human touch. This coveted aspect of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-age-of-a-i-will-value-compassionate-care-more-than-ever\u002F\">compassionate care\u003C\u002Fa> can be provided by a so-called patient assistant. The latter will provide patients with the adequate amount of attention; help them navigate their health data; and piece together relevant information for physicians to provide treatment options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While such assistants or navigators don’t need to be physicians themselves, they have extensive knowledge of the healthcare system; and will work in tandem with a team of medical professionals to enhance the patient experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of nurses\" class=\"wp-image-20967\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. VR therapist: treating patients with new realities\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By means of a dedicated headset, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-used-clinical-practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">virtual reality\u003C\u002Fa> immerses the user into a different world. The technology’s potential in healthcare not only includes medical training but also therapeutic pathways. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, studies already point to VR as being a beneficial, drug-free alternative; whether it’s in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing post-surgical pain\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">making childbirth less painful\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apa.org\u002Fmonitor\u002Fjulaug05\u002Fcure\" target=\"_blank\">treating phobias\u003C\u002Fa>. As VR therapies get increasingly adopted in mainstream practice, they will need to be professionally designed to incorporate targeted elements for patient groups. This is where the input of a VR therapist will be crucial. The latter would require a background in psychiatry and experience with VR technology to design appropriate treatments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. Health data analysts: to make sense of data and AI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the amount of digital data \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.emc.com\u002Fleadership\u002Fdigital-universe\u002F2014iview\u002Fexecutive-summary.htm\" target=\"_blank\">doubling every second year\u003C\u002Fa> and digital health tools \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F1092869\u002Fglobal-digital-health-market-size-forecast\u002F#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20forecast%2C%20the,and%20a%20projection%20for%202025\" target=\"_blank\">contributing their share to this volume\u003C\u002Fa>, we will need to make sense of such big data in healthcare. This will be the focus of health data analysts. They will need to constantly analyse and interpret this ever-increasing data load for local authorities or insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their data-interpreting skills won’t only be necessary on such higher levels but also in day-to-day medical practice. The analysts will be the one able to help streamline and deal with data that patients bring from their personal sensors and online testing kits. Thus, their work in separating the wheat from the chaff will subsequently enable physicians to focus on the relevant data points of their patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-768x432.png\" alt=\"data annotation\" class=\"wp-image-23566\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>We hope that you found this list insightful and that it might even have helped you find your future professional path. If there are any promising ones you think will be of importance in the near future, do share them with us!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":697,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>If you’re among the thousands of medical students worldwide or are about to pursue a degree in healthcare, it might have dawned on you that […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",34321,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[701,231,702,703,69,339,704,705,5,448,449,706,707],498,798,491,516,497,494,514,[709,710,711,712,713,714,715,716,717,718,719,720,721,722,723],275,372,545,604,619,1319,636,686,137,4883,723,152,6397,196,224,[725,726,462,727,728],949,950,952,953,[],[78,731,732,733,734,79,735,736,595,344,77,737],1725,1729,1741,1789,1571,2923,1693,[739,53,84,85,86,87,88,740,243,741,742,90,348,743,744,91,476,477,745,746,747,748,749,750,751,752,753,754,755,756,757,758,759,760,761,762,763,488,764,765],"post-34265","category-3d-printing","category-digital-health-research","category-empowered-patients","category-medical-education","category-portable-diagnostics","category-telemedicine","category-virtual-reality","tag-healthcare","tag-radiology","tag-sensors","tag-food-scanner","tag-lifestyle","tag-telesurgery","tag-deep-learning","tag-health-data","tag-algorithm","tag-lifestyle-medicine","tag-telemedicine","tag-bioprinting","tag-epatients","tag-data-2","tag-ecg","project_category-educators","project_category-medical-professionals","project_category-policy-makers","project_category-researchers",{"id":698,"alt_text":767,"caption":64,"description":768,"media_type":98,"media_details":769,"post":685,"source_url":786},"future jobs in healthcare","Futuristic Jobs In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":770,"sizes":771,"image_meta":785},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"medium":772,"large":775,"thumbnail":778,"medium_large":781,"1536x1536":782},{"file":773,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":774},"tmf_article_264-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-370x208.png",{"file":776,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":777},"tmf_article_264-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png",{"file":779,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":780},"tmf_article_264-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-150x150.png",{"file":776,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":777},{"file":783,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":784},"tmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":788,"related_posts_footer":790,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":794},[789,512],34151,[791,792,793],34179,34065,13003,[795,797],{"title":796},"\u003Cp>Thinking about potential jobs in the future might help the current workforce better retrain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":798},"\u003Cp>It can also help employers prepare for the special skills and environments required by these unique professions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":800,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":801,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":691},"7 Futuristic Professions In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For - The Medical Futurist","Healthcare is changing and so must medical education. Have a look at 7 interesting jobs from the future you can still prepare for.",{"self":803,"collection":808,"about":810,"author":812,"replies":814,"version-history":817,"predecessor-version":820,"wp:featuredmedia":824,"wp:attachment":827,"wp:term":830,"curies":841},[804],{"href":805,"targetHints":806},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265",{"allow":807},[27],[809],{"href":170},[811],{"href":173},[813],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[815],{"embeddable":41,"href":816},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34265",[818],{"count":61,"href":819},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions",[821],{"id":822,"href":823},59141,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions\u002F59141",[825],{"embeddable":41,"href":826},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34321",[828],{"href":829},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34265",[831,833,835,837,839],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":832},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34265",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":834},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34265",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":836},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":838},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":840},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34265",[842],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":844,"date":845,"date_gmt":846,"guid":847,"modified":849,"modified_gmt":850,"slug":851,"status":52,"type":53,"link":852,"title":853,"content":855,"excerpt":857,"author":61,"featured_media":859,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":860,"categories":861,"tags":862,"project_category":874,"contact_email_category":877,"yst_prominent_words":878,"class_list":887,"better_featured_image":902,"acf":926,"yoast_meta":940,"_links":942},20965,"2025-09-08T11:32:02","2025-09-08T09:32:02",{"rendered":848},"http:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=20965","2025-09-08T11:32:04","2025-09-08T09:32:04","the-future-of-nurses-superheros-aided-by-technology","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-nurses-superheros-aided-by-technology",{"rendered":854},"8 Digital Health Technologies Transforming The Future Of Nurses",{"rendered":856,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a nurse is a highly demanding but genuinely fulfilling job with the chance to touch many people’s lives. This is never highlighted more than during a healthcare crisis – personal or society-level – we are stricken by fear and uncertainty, nurses are there, actively in the front line, assisting patients and physicians. As the nursing profession requires the core of what makes us human – paying attention, being empathetic and caring -, it will never be replaced by technology. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the whole of humanity sees a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Ffact-sheets\u002Fdetail\u002Fnursing-and-midwifery\" target=\"_blank\">significant shortage of nurses\u003C\u002Fa> according to the World Health Organization, and this 2023 report highlights how overburdened, underappreciated and burned-out an overwhelming majority of nurses feel. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technological innovations in medicine can relieve nurses of the burden of many monotonous and repetitive tasks; especially in situations where \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fchoosing-between-life-and-death-during-covid-19-the-a-i-trolley-problem\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">time is of essence\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These tools can further become commonplace in the daily work life of nurses in the near future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, the WHO’s \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fpublications\u002Fi\u002Fitem\u002F9789240003279\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State of the World’s Nursing Report\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> highlights the importance of technology in nursing education and practice. Let’s see what the most promising ones are.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Robotics cutting back on monotonous tasks\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication management, disinfection, carrying medical devices from A to B, lifting bedridden patients, navigating and greeting patients and relatives in the hospital are all tasks that robots could support.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The robust \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.aethon.com\u002Ftug\u002Ftughealthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TUG robot\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the streamlined \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.simeks.com.tr\u002Fen\u002Fportfolio-item\u002Frelay-autonomous-mobile-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simeks’ Relay robot\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> make the in-hospital transport of medical devices, drugs, laboratory specimens or sensitive supplies easier. They can carry around a multitude of racks, carts or bins working around the clock. Both could enable nurses to spend more time with their patients instead of running up and down the building floors. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another robot, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fhow-diligents-robots-are-making-a-difference-in-texas-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moxie from Diligent Robotics\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is taking away repetitive tasks from nurses in hospitals in Texas. It picks up supplies from closets and delivers them to patients’ rooms; completely autonomously.\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping nurses keep up the highest level of hygiene is the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.xenex.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xenex LightStrike Robot\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This UV disinfection robot disinfects a patient room as quickly as in 10 minutes and a surgical suite within 20 minutes. Its efficacy has even been proven in over 40 peer-reviewed studies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond robots supporting nurses in soulless tasks, there are several innovations that help them handle patients in more difficult situations. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsocial-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones\" target=\"_blank\">Certain robot companions\u003C\u002Fa> can keep company to people feeling lonely or help treat mental health issues. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fus.softbankrobotics.com\u002Fpepper\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pepper\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.parorobots.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dinsow.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dinsow\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bluefrogrobotics.com\u002Fen\u002Fhome\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buddy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fjibo-is-dying-eulogy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">deceased Jibo\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are all remarkable examples, even if not all survived. Paro is shaped like a baby seal, and it is especially cute and cuddly to help release stress and ease sadness and solitude. Pepper, the 1.2-meter tall humanoid “social robot”, was even “employed” as a receptionist in a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.brusselstimes.com\u002Fbrussels\u002F113643\u002Frobot-enforces-social-distancing-in-brussels-hospital\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belgian\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.themayor.eu\u002Fen\u002Fa-humanoid-robot-greets-patients-at-horovice-hospital\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Czech\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hospital!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But these cute social robots are not the only ones helping out nurses, we’ve recently seen great \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fbertalanmesko_lets-get-used-to-cobots-these-are-collaborative-activity-7203711960276725760-xgy5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop\" target=\"_blank\">robotic solutions for physiotherapy\u003C\u002Fa>, and companies like LSR or Roboligent are working on these solutions that can revolutionize rehabilitation. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ROBERT® - Only 3 min. setup time\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFBewGIbLALs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We can see that robots will help in many nursing tasks, but none of these solutions could actually substitute human nurses. This is due to a phenomenon \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0531_moravec-01_tmf.png\" target=\"_blank\"\u003C\u002Fa>called the Moravec paradox:\u003C\u002Fa> the observation in artificial intelligence and robotics that, contrary to traditional assumptions, reasoning requires very little computation, but sensorimotor and perception skills require enormous computational resources. In simpler terms: robots that can easily beat the world’s best chess player could hardly compete with a human toddler in many simple movement tasks. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. \u003Cb>Remote communication reaching isolated communities\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The COVID-19 pandemic \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boosted telemedicine\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into mainstream practice. It’s an effective tool to reduce unnecessary hospital visits, reduce risks of cross-infections, and still provide clinical care. Leveraging the same technology is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fevisit.com\u002Fwhat-is-telehealth-nursing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">telehealth nursing care,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which is employed in both emergency and non-emergency situations.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the former, nurses from around the world can participate in telephone triage set-ups. Moreover, nurses can monitor a patient’s oxygen levels, heart rate, respiration, blood glucose and more. In non-emergency situations, nurses can get their patients’ blood pressure readings or glucose readings, for instance. They can also instruct patients as to how to dress a wound or treat a minor burn.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only is telecommunication used for providing care, but it is also used to train nurses. “Some online or distance programs have been shown to increase access to rural and remote clinical facilities previously not associated with a “brick and mortar” education institution,” notes the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fpublications\u002Fi\u002Fitem\u002F9789240003279\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO report\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The tendencies that started during the pandemic contributed to the birth of a whole new branch of the nursing profession: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthjob.org\u002Fguide\u002Fwhat-is-remote-nursing\" target=\"_blank\">remote nursing\u003C\u002Fa>, which, by now has a great number of sub-branches from telephone triage to case management. 21st-century solutions like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwelcome-to-the-virtual-ward\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">virtual wards \u003C\u002Fa>also bring new nursing roles, from remote monitoring to at-home assistance.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Drawing blood with technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More often than not, the process of taking blood is a pain point for both patients and nurses. It’s known that patients usually dislike needles; but on the nurses’ side, they often have to endure long and miserable moments before finding the appropriate vein. This adds to the patient’s uncomfortable experience and here \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">robots\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnot-in-vein-the-aimvein-pro2-0-vein-finder-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">vein scanners\u003C\u002Fa> can help quicken the procedure.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We first wrote about \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.veebot.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veebot\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the “first robot phlebotomist” about 10 years ago, praising the idea multiple times. While it was still in development, the idea of using a combination of infrared light and image analysis to detect a suitable vein, and then applying ultrasound to see if the vessel has sufficient blood flow was fascinating. \u003C\u002Fspan>But we always noted that this is a technology still in development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As of today, the first clinical trials of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.clinicaltrialsarena.com\u002Fnews\u002Fvitestros-robotic-blood-drawing-device-meets-trial-endpoints\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Vitestro’s blood drawing robot\u003C\u002Fa> are already underway, with great initial results. The two-year study is scheduled to run through 2025 and involves 10,000 patients over five study phases in four leading Dutch hospital labs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to their interim results, 98% of patients indicated acceptance of the new, automated method of blood drawing and 83% rated the procedure pain as less than or comparable to manual blood draws. The company expects their solution to become commercially available before the end of next year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Showing how the technology is indeed leaving the realm of sci-fi is a notable milestone: a Danish hospital has pre-ordered three of these devices, marking the company’s first international deployment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Testing a Vein Scanner!! - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FiLkfDE3Gg8s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But we don’t even have to look for these robots for tech assistance in drawing blood. Vein scanning devices have been around for over a decade. These \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">involve light-based technology to illuminate peripheral veins to improve first stick success. Devices like \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accuvein.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AccuVein\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbraunusa.com\u002Fen\u002Fproducts\u002Fb4\u002Fveinviewer.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VeinViewer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> adopt such an approach. \u003C\u002Fspan>A little while ago our team \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnot-in-vein-the-aimvein-pro2-0-vein-finder-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">also tested the Aimvein Pro2.0\u003C\u002Fa>, a great device with a still out-of-reach price tag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Explaining complex medical language with 3D printing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Finger splints, organ models, personalised plaster casts, prosthetic parts, even biomaterials, food and, in the future, organs – \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">there are amazing things we can already 3D print in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. Several of these innovations could definitely improve the nurses’ jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, nurses who are tasked with describing medical procedures to patients \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fonline.maryville.edu\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-3d-printing-could-revolutionize-the-field-of-nursing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can use detailed, 3D-printed models\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This helps improve communication around complex procedures with better visualisation. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another way the technology can be used is to feed patients on specific diets. The Foodini project from Natural Machines \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F263984\u002Flynnette-kucsma-our-next-food-printer-will-use-lasers-to-cook-food\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">partners with healthcare institutions and authorities\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to print appealing foods for cancer patients or those on restricted diets. Another company, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbiozoon.de\u002Fen\u002Fseneopro\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Biozoon\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, prints out gourmet-looking food for seniors who need to eat pureed meals. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F0034_foodprinting.png\" alt=\"artificial food\" class=\"wp-image-21819\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F0034_foodprinting.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F0034_foodprinting-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F0034_foodprinting-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F0034_foodprinting-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F134363\u002F3d-printed-pill-boxes-hivaids\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nursing students themselves take the initiative to help patients via 3D printing.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Graduating nursing students from Caldwell University have developed a unique pillbox for HIV\u002FAIDS patients who need to swallow several pills a day but don’t want to be always asked about it. It’s the meeting point of nursing care, technology, and innovation – and we hope to see more of it in the future!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. \u003Cb>Portable diagnostics for increased access to care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appearance of pocket-sized, user-friendly and portable diagnostic devices makes it easier and faster for nurses to care for a patient. Measuring health parameters and vital signs will be reduced to minutes, and massive, oversized machines for an ultrasound, ECG or laboratory testing will become things of the past. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, now one can literally pack \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-7-must-haves-for-the-doctor-of-the-21st-century\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a department’s worth of diagnostic tools\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a briefcase. Most of these can upload readings online to be shared with a professional for further assessment. Such portable tools greatly improve access to care in remote regions and facilities lacking specialists. In such cases, nurses themselves can take readings and remotely share them with physicians for deeper analyses. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall.png\" alt=\"medical bag of the 21st century\" class=\"wp-image-26553\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fsmall-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a nurse can follow up a patient’s vitals with the\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffirst-medical-tricorder-viatom-checkme-pro-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Viatom CheckMe Pro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and listen to lung sounds with the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbridge-tradition-innovation-eko-core-digital-stethoscope-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eko Core\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The data can be sent to a physician to monitor the patient’s status remotely and recommend hospitalisation in case of suspicious readings. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portable ultrasound devices like the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthreshold-of-a-new-era-in-diagnostics-philips-lumify-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Lumify\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwireless-and-scanning-the-clarius-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarius\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can further assist nurses in certain critical tasks. Nurses trained in the use of such devices \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F160518074207.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can accurately calculate\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fluid retention both in the pleural cavities of the lungs and the inferior vena cava of heart failure patients. This enables them to dispense diuretic drugs more precisely to prevent harmful fluid retention in those patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. \u003Cb>Artificial intelligence assessing risks and eliminating alarm fatigue\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to highly optimise processes in hospitals and even eliminate problematic alarm fatigue. By enhancing efficiency, AI will immensely benefit nurses.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Duke University researchers demonstrated such an application of AI in nursing. Their \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.myamericannurse.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-future-of-nursing\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sepsis W\u003C\u002Fspan>atch\u003C\u002Fa> deep learning algorithm helps assess a patient’s risk for developing sepsis. It automatically alerts the hospital’s rapid response team in case of a high-risk patient and\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> guides them through the first 3 hours of care administration. This is critical in preventing complications.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small.png\" alt=\"artificial intelligence and COVID\" class=\"wp-image-27609\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-could-solve-alarm-fatigue-in-hospitals\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alarm fatigue\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> refers to the point when caregivers become desensitised to alarm signs from the myriad of devices emitting a cacophony of beeps all day in the clinical setting. Healthcare institutions experience as many as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC4206416\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">187 alarms per bed per day\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, of which 72% to 99% are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnurse.org\u002Farticles\u002Falarm-fatigue-statistics-patient-safety\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">false alarms\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Those false alerts add up to alarm fatigue, which in turn can lead nurses and physicians to miss those alarms that really need clinical attention. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI solutions like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fambient-intelligence-and-emotion-ai-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ambient intelligence\u003C\u002Fa> can slash the rate of false alarms and thereby eliminate alarm fatigue. In a 2019 study, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jmir.org\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fe15406\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">researchers showed\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that their AI-based system helped reduce notifications received by caregivers by up to 99.3%! With such a system in place, nurses can be notified of cases that do require attention and focus on those.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. Virtual reality for education\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical education, surgery, rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry, and psychology\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-does-medical-virtual-reality-make-healthcare-more-pleasant\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">could all benefit from virtual reality (VR)\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the field of nursing care could reap the fruits of the technology, too.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Virtual, Augmented And Mixed Reality In Healthcare - Live Q&A With The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkKhi2RZi_TE?start=1&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual simulations could support the training phase of nurses. A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolterskluwer.com\u002Fen\u002Fexpert-insights\u002F65-percent-nursing-education-programs-adopting-virtual-simulation\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">survey from Wolters Kluwer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even found that 65% of nursing education programs adopt virtual simulations, including VR. This ensures that nurses are practice-ready and enhances the training process. For instance, Robert Morris University developed a VR game allowing nursing students to practice urinary catheter insertion. Those VR-trained students showed the same pass rate as students who practiced on mannequins. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At another institution, the University of Nevada, Reno, nursing students use VR headsets to visualize doctors and nurses in scenarios with medical complications; scenes they might not always be exposed to during their education.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Others like the University of New England and the University of Michigan are using VR to put students in simulations where they have to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">train their communication and empathy skills\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. \u003Cb>New tech for better medication management\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing one’s medications can receive a boost from new tech such as chatbots, companion robots and digital pills. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-12-health-chatbots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chatbots\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are already integral parts of the healthcare system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-handbook-to-fight-against-the-covid-19-pandemic\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several dedicated chatbots were launched\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for remote risk assessment and are still being used; but these chatbots can further ease the burden on nurses by supplementing some of their tasks. For example, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fflorence.chat\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florence\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an electronic “personal nurse” in the colour blue. “She” can remind patients to take their pills, which might be a handy feature for older patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26459\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, compliance starts with the drug itself. For this purpose, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-present-and-future-of-digital-pills\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">digital pills\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> exist, which one can track to monitor adherence. Researchers even \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnorth-america\u002Fstudy-proteus-digital-pill-system-accurate-improved-adherence-among-california-tb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">showed improved treatment adherence\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among tuberculosis patients who used such smart pills. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F12\u002Fnew-smart-pill-maker-gains-fda-approval\u002F?rf=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">etectRx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcordis.europa.eu\u002Farticle\u002Fid\u002F418365-pill-tracking-device-promises-targeted-personalised-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SIGUEMED\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> develop digital pills to help patients take their medicine properly.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Both nursing jobs and robots will stay\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although there are many fearing that AI, robots, and automation will take their jobs in healthcare, statistics show that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdailynurse.com\u002Fnursing-job-growth-outlook-2017\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nursing is a field with constant employment growth\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the demand for nurses will continue to increase in the future, especially as global populations continue to age in conjunction with a rapidly expanding healthcare industry.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As nursing care requires refined social skills, a high level of empathy,\u003C\u002Fspan> and emotional intelligence, robots or smart algorithms aren’t likely to fill up the field any time soon. However, as the demand for nurses rises, there will be parts of the job augmented by technologies from robots and chatbots through 3D printing\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to VR. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fnurses-of-the-future-must-embrace-high-tech-86042\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nurses could benefit a lot from technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it might make their tasks less cumbersome, more creative and it might free up some of their time.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if nurses don’t start understanding and embracing new technologies as part of their work, the profession and the best interests of patients will suffer. The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.who.int\u002Firis\u002Fbitstream\u002Fhandle\u002F10665\u002F331673\u002F9789240003293-eng.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO report\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> echoes a similar need for nurses to be equipped and conversant with digital health technologies. Needless to say that at The Medical Futurist, we believe this is a crucial need for the betterment of the healthcare landscape. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about the technological future of medical specialties, we invite you to grab a copy of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our dedicated e-book on the topic\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png\" alt=\"future of medical specialties\" class=\"wp-image-23819\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":858,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>With millions of nurses missing around the globe, the profession needs all the technological help available\u003C\u002Fp>\n",31671,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,5],[863,864,865,866,867,868,869,870,871,454,872,873],207,246,271,272,956,337,355,425,130,630,144,[875,876,726,727],947,948,[],[879,880,469,345,881,344,882,883,884,885,466,886,237],2391,2395,3743,4295,1639,4967,1715,2133,[888,53,84,85,86,87,88,90,91,889,890,891,892,893,894,895,896,897,481,898,899,900,901,763,764],"post-20965","tag-digital-health","tag-future","tag-health","tag-health-20","tag-nurses","tag-nurse","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-technology-2","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-digital-technology","tag-artificial-intelligence","project_category-company","project_category-developers",{"id":859,"alt_text":903,"caption":64,"description":904,"media_type":98,"media_details":905,"post":844,"source_url":925},"Future of nurses","Digital Health Technologies Transforming the lives of nurses",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":906,"sizes":907,"image_meta":924},"2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01.png",{"medium":908,"large":911,"thumbnail":914,"medium_large":917,"1536x1536":918,"2048x2048":921},{"file":909,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":910},"228_tmf-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01-370x208.png",{"file":912,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":913},"228_tmf-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01-768x432.png",{"file":915,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":916},"228_tmf-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01-150x150.png",{"file":912,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":913},{"file":919,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":920},"228_tmf-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01-1536x864.png",{"file":922,"width":369,"height":370,"mime-type":108,"source_url":923},"228_tmf-01-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F228_tmf-01.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":927,"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":931,"key_takeaways":933},[928,929,930],17884,48505,56489,[150,932,148],30419,[934,936,938],{"title":935},"\u003Cp>Nursing is a beautiful and rewarding profession, but nurses are often overwhelmed with work, and there is a global shortage of millions of nurses\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":937},"\u003Cp>Technology will assist in many aspects of this profession, from blood draws to rehabilitation, and from administration to sanitation, easing the workload for nurses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":939},"\u003Cp>However, robots will not replace nurses, as technology is far from being capable of performing all the tasks that human nurses do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":854,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":941,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":852},"Being a nurse is a demanding, but fulfilling job with the chance to touch many people’s lives. Let’s see how technology supports the future of nurses!",{"self":943,"collection":948,"about":950,"author":952,"replies":954,"version-history":957,"predecessor-version":961,"wp:featuredmedia":965,"wp:attachment":968,"wp:term":971,"curies":982},[944],{"href":945,"targetHints":946},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20965",{"allow":947},[27],[949],{"href":170},[951],{"href":173},[953],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[955],{"embeddable":41,"href":956},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=20965",[958],{"count":959,"href":960},43,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20965\u002Frevisions",[962],{"id":963,"href":964},59049,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20965\u002Frevisions\u002F59049",[966],{"embeddable":41,"href":967},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F31671",[969],{"href":970},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=20965",[972,974,976,978,980],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":973},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=20965",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":975},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=20965",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":977},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=20965",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":979},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=20965",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":981},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=20965",[983],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":985,"date":986,"date_gmt":987,"guid":988,"modified":990,"modified_gmt":991,"slug":992,"status":52,"type":53,"link":993,"title":994,"content":996,"excerpt":998,"author":335,"featured_media":1000,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1001,"categories":1002,"tags":1003,"project_category":1008,"contact_email_category":1009,"yst_prominent_words":1010,"class_list":1015,"better_featured_image":1021,"acf":1054,"yoast_meta":1060,"_links":1062},58889,"2025-07-15T09:35:35","2025-07-15T07:35:35",{"rendered":989},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58889&_wpnonce=e2c83d58f7&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-07-15T09:35:37","2025-07-15T07:35:37","the-global-map-of-medical-drone-projects-and-trials","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-global-map-of-medical-drone-projects-and-trials",{"rendered":995},"The Global Map of Medical Drone Projects And Trials",{"rendered":997,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Medical drones have been appearing in the news for over a decade. Every week, there is a report somewhere around a world about a pilot project demonstrating how drones could deliver vaccines, medications, biological samples, equipment or blood. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, Italy has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unmannedairspace.info\u002Flatest-news-and-information\u002Fitalian-pilot-of-aerial-medical-rescue-using-drones-begins\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">launched \u003C\u002Fa>its first pilot project using drones for aerial medical rescue operations. The initiative aims to test drone deployment in emergencies, focusing on rapid delivery of life-saving equipment and supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But still it doesn’t feel like medical drones have become common elements of everyday healthcare, no matter the country or region. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some companies have been around for a long time. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-drones-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Zipline \u003C\u002Fa>has been pioneering medical drone deliveries for over a decade, starting in Rwanda in 2016 to supply remote areas with blood and medical products. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company expanded to Ghana to deliver thousands of vaccines to hard-to-reach regions. In 2020, Zipline launched its first US operations, becoming the first to receive FAA approval for beyond-line-of-sight medical drone deliveries, proving its global leadership in aerial healthcare logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To get a clear picture of this advanced technology, we analyzed the state of medical drones worldwide. To achieve that, we had to dive into the global literature and announcements to find all of these exciting projects that involved the use of drones to deliver medications, vaccines, supplies, organs, or equipment. The results include the infographic below and the table with the details too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We hope you will find them useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Infographic of Medical Drones Projects Worldwide\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58893\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F1751879425433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003C\u002Fa>Full-size image here.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This infographic offers a global snapshot of medical drone projects actively transforming healthcare delivery. You can explore dozens of initiatives across continents, from Zipline’s vaccine deliveries in Africa to ambulance drones in Europe and defibrillator delivery projects in North America. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The map categorizes drone use cases—like transporting lab samples, medications, medical supplies, organs, ambulance equipment, and vaccines—using color-coded labels for easy reference. It visually highlights how aerial technologies are addressing healthcare challenges in both remote regions and urban centers worldwide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The list of medical drones projects and pilots\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In case you need further details, we include the database we created which the infographic was based on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can download the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.google.com\u002Fspreadsheets\u002Fd\u002F1Qu6euHVKbD_duNSqwQSQV34TyMfW1gyD\u002Fedit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111126292085832353283&rtpof=true&sd=true\" target=\"_blank\">Excel spreadsheet here.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s Next for Medical Drones?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-emergency-medicine-innovations-making-patients-point-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">medical drones\u003C\u002Fa> have proven their value across continents (delivering blood in Rwanda, vaccines in Ghana, and critical supplies in the US) their widespread adoption still faces significant hurdles. The most pressing of these is regulatory approval: airspace management, safety standards, and clear guidelines for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations remain fragmented and country-specific.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For drones to become a routine part of healthcare logistics, global regulatory harmonization will be essential. Governments, aviation authorities, and healthcare systems need to collaborate to enable safe, scalable drone operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What’s clear, however, is that drones are no longer experimental tools.\u003C\u002Fstrong> They’ve secured a place in modern healthcare as fast, flexible, and often life-saving delivery solutions, especially in rural and underserved areas. As regulations catch up, the sky may truly be the limit for medical drones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":999,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As regulations catch up, the sky may truly be the limit for medical drones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58891,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,339,5],[873,1004,863,1005,864,865,709,1006,1007,870],206,216,289,313,[],[],[77,78,1011,1012,1013,1014],3611,3747,4849,5279,[1016,53,84,85,86,87,88,90,348,91,899,1017,889,1018,890,891,747,1019,1020,896],"post-58889","tag-digital","tag-drone","tag-innovation","tag-medicine",{"id":1000,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":1022,"post":985,"source_url":1053},{"width":1023,"height":1024,"file":1025,"filesize":1026,"sizes":1027,"image_meta":1051},3200,1800,"2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445.png",516208,{"medium":1028,"large":1032,"thumbnail":1036,"medium_large":1040,"1536x1536":1041,"2048x2048":1045},{"file":1029,"width":106,"height":107,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1030,"source_url":1031},"tmf-article-445-370x208.png",40765,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445-370x208.png",{"file":1033,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1034,"source_url":1035},"tmf-article-445-768x432.png",112264,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445-768x432.png",{"file":1037,"width":117,"height":117,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1038,"source_url":1039},"tmf-article-445-150x150.png",18126,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445-150x150.png",{"file":1033,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1034,"source_url":1035},{"file":1042,"width":122,"height":123,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1043,"source_url":1044},"tmf-article-445-1536x864.png",286322,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445-1536x864.png",{"file":1046,"width":1047,"height":1048,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1049,"source_url":1050},"tmf-article-445-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,417733,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141,"keywords":1052},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F07\u002Ftmf-article-445.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":1055,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1056,1058],{"title":1057},"\u003Cp>We analyzed the state of medical drones worldwide. To achieve that, we had to dive into the global literature and announcements to find all of these exciting projects that involved the use of drones to deliver medications, vaccines, supplies, organs, or equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1059},"\u003Cp>What’s clear is that drones are no longer experimental tools. As regulations catch up, the sky may truly be the limit for medical drones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1061,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":993},"The Global Map of Medical Drone Projects And Trials - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1063,"collection":1068,"about":1070,"author":1072,"replies":1074,"version-history":1077,"predecessor-version":1080,"wp:featuredmedia":1084,"wp:attachment":1087,"wp:term":1090,"curies":1101},[1064],{"href":1065,"targetHints":1066},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58889",{"allow":1067},[27],[1069],{"href":170},[1071],{"href":173},[1073],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1075],{"embeddable":41,"href":1076},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58889",[1078],{"count":294,"href":1079},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58889\u002Frevisions",[1081],{"id":1082,"href":1083},58901,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58889\u002Frevisions\u002F58901",[1085],{"embeddable":41,"href":1086},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58891",[1088],{"href":1089},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58889",[1091,1093,1095,1097,1099],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1092},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58889",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1094},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58889",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1096},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58889",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1098},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58889",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1100},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58889",[1102],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1104,"date":1105,"date_gmt":1106,"guid":1107,"modified":1105,"modified_gmt":1106,"slug":1109,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1110,"title":1111,"content":1113,"excerpt":1115,"author":335,"featured_media":336,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1117,"categories":1118,"tags":1119,"project_category":1127,"contact_email_category":1128,"yst_prominent_words":1129,"class_list":1136,"better_featured_image":1145,"acf":1155,"yoast_meta":1168,"_links":1171},31683,"2025-07-07T10:32:51","2025-07-07T08:32:51",{"rendered":1108},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=31683&_wpnonce=2a90dd5c53&status=auto-draft&type=post","would-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample",{"rendered":1112},"Would You Let A Robot Take Your Blood Sample?",{"rendered":1114,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>A few years ago we wrote about Veebot when we collected \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the most exciting tasks robots could do\u003C\u002Fa> in hospitals. Veebot created a robot that could draw blood – in difficult cases faster and even more effectively than a human. Tests showed that it can correctly identify the most accessible vein with an 83% accuracy. This is about as good as an experienced human phlebotomist. Moreover, with this technology, the blood-drawing process takes only about a minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Veebot’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fs30FPobi9iA\" target=\"_blank\">video\u003C\u002Fa> was hugely popular because they wanted to robotise a process known to and disliked by everyone. It turned out that everyone wanted the result this robot could achieve – but without the robot itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some years went by and the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=IpdTeGPruFA\" target=\"_blank\">concept \u003C\u002Fa>turned into \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvitestro.com\u002Fvitestro-starts-trial-in-autonomous-blood-drawing-with-enrollment-of-first-patients-in-a-d-o-p-t\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reality\u003C\u002Fa>. Vitestro announced in 2022 that their blood-drawing robot, officially called an ‘Autonomous blood drawing device, combining artificial intelligence, ultrasound imaging, and robotics’, has performed 1500 blood draws on 1000+ patients. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vitestro - MedTech Innovator 1 Minute Video\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FLytIgYqVjZU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company now started a large-scale clinical trial, with enrollment of the first 350 patients. This trial will involve a total of 10,000 patients and is expected to last for two years. Vitestro obtained CE marking in 2024, after which the technology is expected to be ready for use for patient care in hospitals and laboratories.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Are you afraid of a blood draw?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Blood draws are one of the most common clinical procedures, and, as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-does-blood-testing-stand-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">we wrote earlier\u003C\u002Fa>, it’s unlikely to change anytime soon. (Remember Theranos?) There is simply no other means to draw a sufficient amount of blood from the patients otherwise. And despite the fact that it’s a common procedure, it’s fairly difficult for nurses and medical professionals to get enough routine. I clearly remember when I first had to take blood as a doctor: the patient, a kind, old lady was as scared as I was; I was trying to comfort her as much as myself. It would be good to spare such an experience for medics and patients alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But this will come as no surprise: people don’t like needles or giving blood. Many people have straightforward fears related to these. So much so that we have multiple names for these fears like haemophobia, trypanophobia, BII and so on. Healthcare professionals themselves often struggle with the procedure, finding the veins in patients can be particularly difficult; for example when the patient is obese, dehydrated, has certain severe chronic conditions – or simply has small or inelastic veins. In these challenging cases, healthcare professionals only have an average success rate of 73% in finding the veins with the needle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although there are devices to support blood draws (like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnot-in-vein-the-aimvein-pro2-0-vein-finder-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">vein scanners\u003C\u002Fa> that can help detect veins), these are expensive and can’t help in every case. But robots can. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Why is it irritating if robots are touching us?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Because there is this issue with robots. We humans seem to be \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS0747563222001625\" target=\"_blank\">sort of afraid of them\u003C\u002Fa>. The more human-like they become, the more we tend to resent them. And this is even the case if they can do a better job than humans – we don’t want them to do so. This is a burden we must overcome as another cultural shift on our route toward digital healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few years ago news came out of a robotic blood draw solution with striking examples \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldscientific.com\u002Fdoi\u002Fabs\u002F10.1142\u002FS2339547819500067\" target=\"_blank\">in their clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> about their success rate. The automated blood-drawing robot of Rutgers University’s research team could in some cases outperform human professionals doing the same task. Their \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnet.com\u002Fnews\u002Fthis-robot-is-excellent-at-drawing-human-blood\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">research showed\u003C\u002Fa> that the robot (that also includes a blood analyser) could free up time for nurses and doctors to spend more time treating patients instead of jabbing them with needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Automatisation as the ultimate solution\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The robot won’t just assume they know where the vein runs – it actually \u003Cem>see\u003C\u002Fem>s it. Its hands never shake, it is never overworked, it won’t get tired – and it frees up valuable nurse time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nurses would still need to be present to provide empathy and support to the patient. But the burden of the obligatory ‘doing well’ is not on their shoulders. Process automation would also provide a level of safety for the patient. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21207\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F07\u002Fandroid-robots.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Robots in hospitals\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pandemic had been good for robots. They were deployed in many fields. Over the past years, we could hear about \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Femag.medicalexpo.com\u002Fdisinfection-robots-against-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">disinfectant robots\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs42256-020-00238-2\" target=\"_blank\">surgical robots\u003C\u002Fa>, robots \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F11\u002Ftech\u002Frobots-india-covid-spc-intl\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">supporting telehealth\u003C\u002Fa>, and so on. The list is endless. From humanoids to ‘tablet-on-a-stick’-kind of devices, the aim is to support humans by taking the weight off of their shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F172_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"as COVID led to the use of many advanced technologies we have already been preaching (and doing research about), maybe some could remain in use even after the pandemic\" class=\"wp-image-28457\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F172_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F172_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F172_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F172_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The fact that they could take part in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-tech-here-to-stay-after-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">stopping the spread\u003C\u002Fa> of COVID-19 in hospitals and help prevent hospital-acquired infections gave these devices a much-needed extra boost. They thereby could finally move out of the “\u003Cem>sometimes cute but often useless\u003C\u002Fem>”-category and found a suitable field where they can really be helpful for the people actually working in hospitals. Like in the case of blood samples taken by robots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s not at all a far-fetched idea, although we honestly think this concept is still in its infancy (\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvein-scanners-examples-for-disruption\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">read here why\u003C\u002Fa> we think this way, update on the tech \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnot-in-vein-the-aimvein-pro2-0-vein-finder-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C\u002Fa>). However, such sci-fiesque technologies present a fertile ground for a forward-looking discussion that’ll help to understand the task of technologies that seem strange at first sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>We trust MRI scans. Why don’t we trust robots?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As patients, we interact with advanced medical technologies without a second thought. We lie still for MRI scans, undergo CT tests, and subject ourselves to X-rays. We readily trust these machines, despite not always understanding the details of how they work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At The Medical Futurist, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Four-vision\" target=\"_blank\">our goal\u003C\u002Fa> is to support healthcare organisations, governments and medical professionals in adopting digital health technologies. We strive to build a community that can drive healthcare innovation worldwide and facilitate the pragmatic and cultural changes that are needed. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In our vision, we all (medical professionals, patients, institutions, and policymakers) make use of the cutting-edge technologies that surround us – but at the core of all healthcare interactions are the people who care for and listen to each other.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The future is waiting. We just need someone to implement it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1116,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Robots could take blood better than most humans, freeing up time for doctors and nurses. But if choosing between a robot and a human, people prefer humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,5],[1120,451,1121,1122,1123,1124,868,1125,867,71,1126],3083,669,6423,6425,159,376,1498,[875,876,725,726,462],[],[345,344,77,1130,1131,1132,78,1133,1134,468,237,880,1135],3339,1709,3615,1739,1803,2605,[1137,53,84,85,86,87,88,90,91,1138,478,1139,1140,1141,1142,894,1143,893,92,1144,900,901,762,763,488],"post-31683","tag-covid","tag-blood","tag-veebot","tag-rutgers","tag-blood-test","tag-robot","tag-robotics-in-healthcare",{"id":336,"alt_text":350,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":1146,"post":373,"source_url":374},{"width":100,"height":101,"file":352,"sizes":1147,"image_meta":1154},{"medium":1148,"large":1149,"thumbnail":1150,"medium_large":1151,"1536x1536":1152,"2048x2048":1153},{"file":355,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":356},{"file":358,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":359},{"file":361,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":362},{"file":358,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":359},{"file":365,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":366},{"file":368,"width":369,"height":370,"mime-type":108,"source_url":371},{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_posts_footer":1156,"related_posts":16,"related_books":1159,"key_takeaways":1161},[1157,1158,791],52725,52643,[150,932,1160],37033,[1162,1164,1166],{"title":1163},"\u003Cp>Robots like Vitestro’s device have demonstrated the ability to draw blood with high accuracy, potentially surpassing human professionals in some instances and streamlining the blood-drawing process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1165},"\u003Cp>Despite the technological advancements, there’s human hesitation and discomfort regarding robots performing medical procedures, highlighting the need for cultural shifts in accepting robots in healthcare settings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1167},"\u003Cp>While robots can efficiently handle tasks and reduce the burden on healthcare professionals, human touch, empathy, and interaction remain vital in patient care, emphasizing the balance between automation and human connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1169,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1170,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1110},"Would You Let A Robot Take Your Blood Sample? - The Medical Futurist","Robots could take blood better than most humans, freeing up time for doctors and nurses. But if choosing between a robot and a human, people prefer humans.",{"self":1172,"collection":1177,"about":1179,"author":1181,"replies":1183,"version-history":1186,"predecessor-version":1189,"wp:featuredmedia":1193,"wp:attachment":1195,"wp:term":1198,"curies":1209},[1173],{"href":1174,"targetHints":1175},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F31683",{"allow":1176},[27],[1178],{"href":170},[1180],{"href":173},[1182],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1184],{"embeddable":41,"href":1185},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=31683",[1187],{"count":959,"href":1188},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F31683\u002Frevisions",[1190],{"id":1191,"href":1192},58887,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F31683\u002Frevisions\u002F58887",[1194],{"embeddable":41,"href":411},[1196],{"href":1197},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=31683",[1199,1201,1203,1205,1207],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1200},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=31683",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1202},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=31683",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1204},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=31683",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1206},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=31683",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1208},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=31683",[1210],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1212,"date":1213,"date_gmt":1214,"guid":1215,"modified":1217,"modified_gmt":1218,"slug":1219,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1220,"title":1221,"content":1223,"excerpt":1225,"author":335,"featured_media":1227,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1228,"categories":1229,"tags":1230,"project_category":1243,"contact_email_category":1244,"yst_prominent_words":1245,"class_list":1253,"better_featured_image":1267,"acf":1298,"yoast_meta":1312,"_links":1315},13689,"2025-05-19T08:58:28","2025-05-19T06:58:28",{"rendered":1216},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13689","2025-05-19T08:58:30","2025-05-19T06:58:30","medical-robots","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots",{"rendered":1222},"From Surgeries To Keeping Company: The Place Of Robots In Healthcare",{"rendered":1224,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Assisting surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, keeping company: believe it or not these are the tasks medical robots will soon undertake in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office. These new ‘colleagues’ will definitely make a difference in every field of medicine. Here’s our overview to understand robotics in healthcare better so that everyone can prepare for the appearance of mechanic helpers in medical facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One important notice as a prelude to this topic. In many people’s minds – unconsciously – artificial intelligence and robots get mixed up: when they hear about AI, they automatically imagine robots. However, the two are not (necessarily) the same: the ‘brain’ is in the software, the robot is just an actuator.    Most of the below examples are not intelligent, not by human standards, nor even at the problem-solving level of large language models.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Metallic allies for the benefit of the vulnerable\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While there are concerns about machines replacing people in the workforce, we believe there are advantages to the renewal of the distribution of tasks. Machines don’t need sleep or food, don’t have prejudices, and definitely won’t grunt about why they need to complete the same monotonous tasks for the thousandth time – for example washing up to the hospital floor or bringing medicine up the 10th floor. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, we could imagine how healthcare robots could take over administrative and\u002For monotonous tasks that people like to skip anyway; while medical professionals, doctors, and nurses can truly devote their precious time to the job that they signed up for – caring for the sick and vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Are We Afraid Of Androids But Love Humanoid Robots? - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FsbTl_9dTo7Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With some preparation and forethought, we can make sure the human touch stays relevant in medicine while taking advantage of our metallic allies. For this reason, we collected here the most useful robots in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Robotic nurses dressing mannequins and bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Delicate movement, like gently handling an elderly patient is traditionally the most challenging task to robots, who are much faster developing in intellectual tasks than matching humans in fine-motor skills. But there is undoubtedly impressive progress. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It was huge news in 2022 when a two-armed robot \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newscientist.com\u002Farticle\u002F2315052-robotic-nurse-can-dress-a-mannequin-in-a-hospital-gown\u002F#ixzz7Q9FU2G7i\" target=\"_blank\">could grasp a folded hospital gown\u003C\u002Fa> and dress a medical mannequin lying on a bed. The technology is still not yet ready for use by people, but it is an experimental step towards artificial nurses in hospitals. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Frobotic-nurse-dressig-a-mannequin2.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42041\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Science.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Fan Zhang and Yiannis Demiris at Imperial College London tested their robot in a scenario that closely mimicked the Certified Nursing Assistant test used in US healthcare, in which a trainee nurse has to put an open-backed robe on a person with weak or paralysed arms. Instead of a human, however, they used a mannequin designed for medical training. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Personal Robotic Lab at the Imperial College has multiple fascinating projects underway, aiming to offer assistance in tasks like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fieeexplore.ieee.org\u002Fdocument\u002F10517379\" target=\"_blank\">bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fa>, or Blueberry, a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imperial.ac.uk\u002Fpersonal-robotics\u002Fparticipate\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">dual-arm assistive wheelchair\u003C\u002Fa> that may one day assist in everyday tasks like eating and opening doors. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Surgical robots for surgical precision\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgery is an unpleasant experience at best. The waiting lists can be long depending on available manpower and resources. Thus, surgical robots are the prodigies of surgery. According to market analysis, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\">the industry is about to boom\u003C\u002Fa>. By 2027, global surgical \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saranextgen.com\u002Fhomeworkhelp\u002Findex.php?id=3071\">robotics sales are expected to reach \u003C\u002Fa>$14.8 billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most commonly known surgical robot is the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts-and-services\u002Fda-vinci\" target=\"_blank\">da Vinci Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa>, and believe it or not, it was introduced almost 25 years ago! It features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate to a far greater extent than the human hand. While the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times, they can carry out more precise operations than previously thought possible. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The field has developed with lightning speed in recent years, with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F5-things-that-could-shape-surgical-robotics-in-the-next-decade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">major new trends\u003C\u002Fa> and a market with a good number of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F10-surgical-robotics-companies-worth-following-in-2024\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">established players\u003C\u002Fa>. Clinical use is already accepted, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fneocis-brings-in-20m-for-robotic-dental-surgeries\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new FDA approvals\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Faim-medical-robotics-starting-1st-human-clinical-study-for-mri-compatible-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new trials\u003C\u002Fa> are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fmicrobot-medical-completes-1st-clinical-trial-of-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">underway\u003C\u002Fa> targeting new niches, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fcmr-surgical-begins-1st-pediatric-clinical-trial-with-versius\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">pediatric surgeries\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Medtronic Robotic-Assisted Surgery Solutions\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FMT8DrPaJVEg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Blood drawing and disinfector robots help put ‘care’ back into healthcare\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During a hospital stay, patients interact with nurses the most. Like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-nurses-superheros-aided-by-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shiva, the eight-armed Indian goddess, they are there, usually in 12-hour shifts\u003C\u002Fa>, to draw blood, check your vital signs, monitor your condition and take care of your hygiene if needed. They are often overwhelmed by physically and mentally daunting tasks, and the result is often an unpleasant experience for everyone involved. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic nurses will help carry this burden in the future. They are designed to be able to carry out repetitive and monotonous tasks, so human staff can have more energy to deal with issues that require human decision-making skills, creativity, and most of all, care and empathy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few years ago, we wrote about Veebot, a robot capable of drawing blood quickly and effectively. Since then, the concept has become a reality. In 2022, Vitestro announced their ‘Autonomous blood drawing device’, which has performed 1500 blood draws on over 1000 patients. They have started a\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvitestro.com\u002Fvitestro-starts-trial-in-autonomous-blood-drawing-with-enrollment-of-first-patients-in-a-d-o-p-t\u002F#:~:text=Vitestro-,Vitestro%20starts%20largest%2Dscale%20clinical%20trial%20worldwide%20for%20autonomous%20blood,blood%20drawing%20device%20(image).\" target=\"_blank\"> large-scale clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> involving 10,000 patients, expected to last two years, with plans to obtain CE marking by the end of 2024.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Watch this robot draw blood from a patient\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIpdTeGPruFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faethon.com\u002Fproducts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Autonomous mobile delivery robots\u003C\u002Fa> might also become the favorite of nurses. These can carry around a multitude of racks, carts, or bins up to 500 kilograms in the form of medications, laboratory specimens, or other sensitive materials – so the hospital staff can do other, more important assignments. And when it’s done, the robot returns to the charging dock for a sip of energy, waiting for the next job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robotic assistance for a better life\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But robotics in healthcare means so much more than drawing blood or carrying around racks. With remote-controlled medical robots, caretakers can interact with their patients, check on their living conditions and the need for further appointments. This would help efficiency a great deal by eliminating time-consuming home visits. We have seen a number of examples, Canada experimenting with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8808201\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">robot-comrades\u003C\u002Fa> since the 2016 introduction of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Ftoronto\u002Frobot-alzheimers-1.3696249\" target=\"_blank\">Ludwig\u003C\u002Fa>, and some elderly care facilities in Ireland introducing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irishtimes.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Finnovation\u002Fthe-irish-robot-helping-older-people-live-independently-1.4628719\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie\u003C\u002Fa> to their residents. And we could go on and on with the examples of social robots involved in elderly care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"Stevie the robot helps an elderly patient\" class=\"wp-image-40845\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A human-sized, smiling robot combines the very best in cutting-edge technology and human touch to provide frequent check-ins and non-medical care for residents in long-term care settings. By doing so, it reduces the costs of care while raising the patient satisfaction index by simply being there for the elderly all the time. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Telemedical network for increasing accessibility \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Chances are you have been in a situation before where, if an accident were to happen, medical professionals would not have been able to reach you in time. To some of us in the developed world, it’s a rare occurrence. But even in 2024, millions live outside the reach of conventional emergency services be it in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fremarkable-examples-of-telemedicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Vanuatu or the Inuit communities up North in Canada\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.teladoc.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Teladoc\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.doctorondemand.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Doctor on Demand\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthtap.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Health Tap\u003C\u002Fa>, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.americanwell.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">American Well\u003C\u002Fa> patients in remote areas have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, dermatological problems, or any other complaints. On the patient’s side, it can be accessed on a tablet or personal computer, and clinicians can also use the same type of device as best suits their needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"InTouch Health in Action | InTouch Health's Telehealth Network\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FgUfxgwJfq3M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The power of exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than move around independently to clean surfaces or handle deliveries, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-state-of-exoskeletons-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> wrap around the user’s body to support them physically. This offers tremendous assistance to those with disabled limbs, and rehabilitation is where exoskeletons initially made much progress in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>California-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002Feksohealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa> is one of the best-known companies that develop bionic suits to provide power to the upper and lower body of patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and acquired brain injuries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Exoskeletons started finding their place in healthcare systems. In 2023 ReWalk (now called Lifeward) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Frewalk-robotics-announces-solidified-medicare-coverage-for-personal-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003C\u002Fa> that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule for reinbursing their exoskeleton technology, which was followed by another similar announcement \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fir.eksobionics.com\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fdetail\u002F756\u002Fekso-bionics-receives-final-payment-determination-for\" target=\"_blank\">from Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa>. We can expect further announcements to come, as there are over a dozen \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov\u002Fscripts\u002Fcdrh\u002Fcfdocs\u002FcfTPLC\u002Ftplc.cfm?id=PHL&min_report_year=2009\" target=\"_blank\">approved exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> on the FDA’s list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While still relatively niche, the exoskeleton market has expanded in recent years. The Exoskeleton Report last \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fexoskeletonreport.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fupdated-directory-of-exoskeleton-companies-and-industry-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">updated its report in 2021\u003C\u002Fa>, which listed 118 companies worldwide working on 172 exoskeletons that were on sale or soon to be commercialized. Their directory listed 67 medical exoskeleton companies in 2024, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.toyota\u002Fen\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fcorporate\u002F30609584.html?_ga=2.42558818.672635075.1578376035-1427653775.1578376035\" target=\"_blank\">definitely surprising\u003C\u002Fa>. It represents a significant rise from the start of 2020, which registered 80 such companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You have seen them in movies, taken advantage of them in video games and now they are here for real: exoskeletons. For example, a gait-training exoskeleton suit \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">helped Matt Ficarra, paralysed from the chest down, walk down the aisle\u003C\u002Fa> on his wedding day. But nothing stands as powerful a statement as the example of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Folympics.com\u002Fen\u002Fparis-2024\u002Folympic-torch-relay\u002Ftorchbearers\u002Fkevin-piette\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Piette\u003C\u002Fa>, a French para-athlete, who became an Olympic torchbearer wearing a self-balancing exoskeleton developed by France’s Wandercraft – a company that already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wandercraft.eu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">has regulatory-approved robotic structures\u003C\u002Fa>. In his “civilian” life Piette works as an exoskeleton pilot, helping the company with product development. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Atalante : Early stage standing and overground walking\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoDzJmiFNa7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robots in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical robots can not only undertake monotonous and repetitive tasks but also those that are potentially dangerous for humans – such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbostondynamics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fstretch\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">moving heavy boxes\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=tFrjrgBV8K0\" target=\"_blank\">testing chemical protection clothing\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond robots that could be placed in situations potentially harmful to humans, robotics could have a big impact \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-blockchain-redesign-pharma-supply-chain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">on pharmaceutical distribution chains\u003C\u002Fa>, too. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic medical dispenser systems, medication management solutions help any given facility “right-size” its system for its volume. It is also an emerging best practice that these robots are designed with robust data mining capabilities, so pharmacies can gain valuable insights about their traffic and efficiency all the time. If medical robots were used for such tasks, pharmacists would have the time and the incentive to participate in the social aspect of healing: educate people about preventive measures, give practical advice, and therefore make sure that healthcare truly becomes caring. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"516\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42023\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-1536x1031.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Robots disinfecting hospital rooms\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are an unfortunate consequence that anyone can be exposed to when admitted to or even visiting a hospital. In the U.S., \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fhealthcare-associated-infections\u002Fphp\u002Fdata\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">the CDC estimates\u003C\u002Fa> that 1 in 31 patients has at least one infection associated with their hospital care. The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine found in 2020 that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cebm.net\u002Fcovid-19\u002Fthe-ongoing-problem-of-hospital-acquired-infections-across-the-uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">17.6% of COVID-19 infections\u003C\u002Fa> were likely due to HAIs in England. With the help of UV disinfection medical robots, we can reduce these numbers significantly. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthline.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fdoes-uv-kill-coronavirus#uvc-light-and-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies have shown\u003C\u002Fa> that UV-C can reduce the amount of live coronavirus on surfaces by 99.7% in 30 seconds and 99.9% of airborne coronaviruses in about 25 minutes. And several companies are coupling UV-C with robots which are themselves impervious to infections. Danish company UVD Robots \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-helping-kill-coronavirus-in-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shipped hundreds of its disinfectant robots\u003C\u002Fa> around the world during the pandemic. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42027\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot.jpg 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another disinfectant robot, Violet, can completely disinfect a CT scanner room in 15 minutes; a procedure that would take a human radiographer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5825860\u002Fcoronavirus-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">up to 60 minutes\u003C\u002Fa>. Xenex \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F18\u002Fhow-china-is-using-robots-and-telemedicine-to-combat-the-coronavirus.html\" target=\"_blank\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> its LightStrike UV disinfection robots can disinfect dozens of rooms per day per robot. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Nanorobots swimming in blood\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, we released an article dedicated to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">nanotechnology in medicine\u003C\u002Fa>. In it, we shared examples like “nanoswimmers” developed by researchers that could pave the way for programmed drug delivery. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, practically all of the nanorobots came from research labs which were more proof-of-concepts than practical applications. Although news reports around the technology \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fenglish.radio.cz\u002Fbrno-scientists-developing-nanorobots-surgery-attacking-cancer-cells-8715866\" target=\"_blank\">still mostly revolve around\u003C\u002Fa> the theoretical\u002Fconceptual aspects, you can also find promising initiatives with good early results, like these \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.ki.se\u002Fnanorobot-with-hidden-weapon-kills-cancer-cells\" target=\"_blank\">cancer-killing nanobots\u003C\u002Fa> tested in mice. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is how digital health technologies often evolve: from conceptual stages in labs, through various iterations and testing stages before rolling out to a wider audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the emergence of digestibles and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma-e-book\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">digital pills\u003C\u002Fa>, we get closer to nanorobots step by step. On that front: researchers from the Max Planck Institute have been experimenting with exceptionally \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">micro-sized – smaller than a millimeter – robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids \u003C\u002Fa>and could be used to deliver drugs or other medical relief in a highly targeted way. These scallop-like microbots are designed to swim through non-Newtonian fluids, like your bloodstream, around your lymphatic system, or across the slippery goo on the surface of your eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjanetwburns\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F19\u002Ftiny-origami-robot-captures-intruders-patches-holes-in-stomach\u002F#827ca632208c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">origami robot\u003C\u002Fa>, despite its size, is just as impressive as a super-strong carrier one. When swallowed, the capsule containing it dissolves in the patient’s stomach and unfolds itself. Controlled by a technician with the help of magnetic fields it can patch up wounds in the stomach lining or safely remove foreign items such as swallowed toys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ingestible origami robot\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F3Waj08gk7v8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsocial-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Social companion robots\u003C\u002Fa> to cheer up and keep you company\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence, social companion robots started to take shape: these human or animal-shaped, smaller or bigger mechanic creatures are able to carry out different tasks and have interactions with humans and their environment. In the future, they might become every parent’s little helper in the kitchen, might support the guard dog in keeping the house safe, might teach the children and be their companion and support the elderly, from reminding them to take their medication to keep them company when they feel lonely. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some early examples on the market, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FPepper_(robot)#:~:text=Production%20of%20Pepper%20was%20paused,2021%2C%20due%20to%20weak%20demand.\" target=\"_blank\">Pepper\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F7\u002F23\u002F21325644\u002Fjibo-social-robot-ntt-disruptionfunding\" target=\"_blank\">Jibo\u003C\u002Fa> sadly went out of business due to weak demand, while others still have exorbitant price tags, like the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.paroseal.co.uk\u002Fpurchase\" target=\"_blank\">therapeutic robot Paro\u003C\u002Fa>, which looks like a seal and costs a fortune, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fozrobotics.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuddy-social-companion-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Buddy\u003C\u002Fa>, which also carries a hefty price tag. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some of these pioneers had touch sensors, cameras, and microphones, thus their owners could get into discussions with them, ask them to find a great concert for that night or just remind them about their medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"Pepper medical robot\" class=\"wp-image-42029\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper.jpg 1623w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Small and big, smiley and faceless, surgical and pharma dispensing ones: robotics moves in all shapes and forms with big leaps into healthcare. That might be scary for many, but they have the potential to do good: to bring medical care to regions where there is none to be found; to make the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals cheaper and more efficient; to lighten the load of medical professionals; to help people walk again. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To reap the benefits and avoid the potential dangers of such a technological revolution, we need to keep ourselves informed about the strides that science makes so that we can better prepare and adapt to the not-so-distant future where medical robots play a crucial role and work closely with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1226,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office, making a difference in every field of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",57617,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,588,5],[1231,864,1232,709,1233,1234,1235,1236,1121,1237,719,1238,1125,1239,71,1240,1241,1242,459,863],1501,1502,535,279,543,304,329,356,968,1042,423,1155,[726],[],[1246,1247,344,1248,77,879,885,880,78,1249,1133,469,1250,1251,236,239,1252,237],2375,2377,2381,2397,2131,3187,2371,[1254,53,84,85,86,87,88,90,610,91,1255,890,1256,747,1257,1258,1259,1260,1139,1261,757,1262,1143,1263,92,1264,1265,1266,486,889,763],"post-13689","tag-nanorobot","tag-social","tag-pharmacies","tag-hospital","tag-future-of-hospital","tag-medical","tag-nanotechnology","tag-pharma-2","tag-social-companion","tag-social-companion-robot","tag-surgery","tag-telemedical",{"id":1227,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":1268,"post":1212,"source_url":1297},{"width":1269,"height":1270,"file":1271,"filesize":1272,"sizes":1273,"image_meta":1295},6667,3750,"2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",673622,{"medium":1274,"large":1278,"thumbnail":1282,"medium_large":1286,"1536x1536":1287,"2048x2048":1291},{"file":1275,"width":106,"height":107,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1276,"source_url":1277},"tmf_article_428-370x208.png",25399,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-370x208.png",{"file":1279,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1280,"source_url":1281},"tmf_article_428-768x432.png",60778,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-768x432.png",{"file":1283,"width":117,"height":117,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1284,"source_url":1285},"tmf_article_428-150x150.png",11081,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-150x150.png",{"file":1279,"width":112,"height":113,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1280,"source_url":1281},{"file":1288,"width":122,"height":123,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1289,"source_url":1290},"tmf_article_428-1536x864.png",140174,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-1536x864.png",{"file":1292,"width":1047,"height":1048,"mime-type":108,"filesize":1293,"source_url":1294},"tmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",200339,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141,"keywords":1296},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1299,"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1302,"key_takeaways":1305},[1300,1301,152],14848,57335,[1303,1160,1304],24765,52203,[1306,1308,1310],{"title":1307},"\u003Cp>As robotics technology continues to advance, it will play a crucial role in enhancing medical care, improving pharmaceutical processes, and supporting patients and healthcare workers alike. Future robotic roles include assisting in surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, and providing companionship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1309},"\u003Cp>By taking over administrative, repetitive, and physically demanding tasks, robots can ease the workload of healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus more on patient care and decision-making that requires human empathy and expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1311},"\u003Cp>The integration of robotics in healthcare requires careful preparation and understanding to ensure that the human element remains central to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1313,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1314,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1220},"Benefits of Robotics in Healthcare: Tasks Medical Robots Will Undertake","Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor's office, making a difference in every field of medicine.",{"self":1316,"collection":1321,"about":1323,"author":1325,"replies":1327,"version-history":1330,"predecessor-version":1334,"wp:featuredmedia":1338,"wp:attachment":1341,"wp:term":1344,"curies":1355},[1317],{"href":1318,"targetHints":1319},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689",{"allow":1320},[27],[1322],{"href":170},[1324],{"href":173},[1326],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1328],{"embeddable":41,"href":1329},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13689",[1331],{"count":1332,"href":1333},58,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions",[1335],{"id":1336,"href":1337},58785,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions\u002F58785",[1339],{"embeddable":41,"href":1340},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F57617",[1342],{"href":1343},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13689",[1345,1347,1349,1351,1353],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1346},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13689",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1348},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13689",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1350},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1352},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1354},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13689",[1356],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1358,"date":1359,"date_gmt":1360,"guid":1361,"modified":1363,"modified_gmt":1364,"slug":1365,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1366,"title":1367,"content":1369,"excerpt":1371,"author":61,"featured_media":1373,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1374,"categories":1375,"tags":1377,"project_category":1378,"contact_email_category":1379,"yst_prominent_words":1380,"class_list":1384,"better_featured_image":1387,"acf":1411,"yoast_meta":1417,"_links":1419},58097,"2024-10-31T11:16:07","2024-10-31T10:16:07",{"rendered":1362},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58097&_wpnonce=7798ca0ee9&status=auto-draft&type=post","2024-10-31T11:16:08","2024-10-31T10:16:08","10-promising-advanced-healthcare-technologies-in-practice","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F10-promising-advanced-healthcare-technologies-in-practice",{"rendered":1368},"10 Promising Advanced Healthcare Technologies In Practice",{"rendered":1370,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>As futurists, we have constantly been exploring \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-need-for-medical-futures-studies-our-benchmark-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">what the future of healthcare holds\u003C\u002Fa> for medical professionals and patients alike for years. With the rate of technological development, what were promising concepts a couple of years ago are now real options in healthcare practice. In this article, we share a collection of 10 advanced healthcare technologies that are ready to be used in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Wearable ultrasound: handy, portable diagnosis\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Back in 2018, we reviewed two portable ultrasounds, namely \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwireless-and-scanning-the-clarius-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Clarius\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthreshold-of-a-new-era-in-diagnostics-philips-lumify-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Philips Lumify\u003C\u002Fa>. Since then, the technology has progressed further to make them smaller and more portable. This has resulted in a wearable ultrasound system, developed by startup \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sonologi.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sonologi\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sonologi Ultrasound Patch testing\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FXlN2AnWfUsM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their technology provides automated, hands-free, continuous ultrasound imaging technology in real-time. The wearable, along with AI-powered analytics, provides clinicians with actionable insights to aid decision-making and improve patient outcomes. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With such a device, patients can wear it while medical professionals view the imaging as it happens, and the AI software compensates for movement to maintain image stability. This can allow better and real-time assessments of cardiovascular health and heart conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Assistive exoskeletons: reduce fatigue and injury risks \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For years, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgermanbionic.com\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">German Bionic\u003C\u002Fa> has produced \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeleton-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exoskeleton suits\u003C\u002Fa> to aid manual workers in carrying heavy weights, especially in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics. The company is now expanding its expertise to the healthcare sector with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgermanbionic.com\u002Fen\u002Fapogeeplus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apogee+ power suit\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This exoskeleton provides healthcare professionals with mechanical support to assist them in their day-to-day work on the ward. For example, it can aid them in lifting patients from beds and wheelchairs and can provide relief when working in unergonomic postures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Insights to joint research project: Cray X at Berlin’s renowned Charité hospital\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F15iZPRdvF3Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Our improved Apogee+ exoskeleton brings together strength and intelligence in ways that directly benefit healthcare professionals,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.med-technews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmedical-device-news\u002Fgerman-bionic-launches-apogee-power-suit-exoskeleton-to-help-frontline-healthcare-workers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said Armin Schmidt\u003C\u002Fa>, CEO of German Bionic. “As the healthcare sector faces growing challenges with staff shortages and physical demands, the Apogee+ is a timely solution that improves worker safety, operational efficiency, and overall well-being. We are excited to support those on the frontlines of healthcare with technology that truly makes a difference.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Virtual reality in the intensive care unit: helping patients feel better \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Virtual reality (VR) has found successful applications in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">various medical domains\u003C\u002Fa>; and it is also proving beneficial in the intensive care unit (ICU).  The technology can help patients better manage the trauma of waking up in an ICU, help their recovery, or even help young patients to visit magical worlds while staying at the hospital. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Doctors Using Virtual Reality to Relieve Patients' Pain and More\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FKR3lmLZCBvc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, the UF Health Shands Hospital in Florida has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wuft.org\u002Fhealthscience\u002F2019-10-18\u002Fvirtual-reality-dreams-helps-patients-cope-in-icu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">used VR headsets and noise-cancelling headphones\u003C\u002Fa> to virtually transport ICU patients to remote beaches and hillsides. Researchers in The Netherlands \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthcare-in-europe.com\u002Fen\u002Fnews\u002Fvr-glasses-could-ease-trauma-of-waking-up-in-an-icu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have also employed the technology\u003C\u002Fa> to walk patients through their current environment and how things work in an ICU. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Mixed reality in the operating room: interactive medical scans\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Mixed reality (MR) headsets offer science fiction-esque experiences by superimposing virtual, interactive elements onto the physical environment. This technology has practical applications in healthcare and can be useful in the operating room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapoqlar.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">apoQlar medical\u003C\u002Fa> has developed MR applications for surgeons, medical students and patients alike for years. Their VSI HoloMedicine software has been designed for surgical planning. It allows surgeons to interact with data from medical scans and real-life images of the patient. By transforming 2D scans into 3D holograms, the MR software helps surgeons better understand and interpret individual patient cases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VSI HoloMedicine® in practice\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fb12HLIdUrxU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Robots in lungs: safer lung biopsies\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Lung biopsies are crucial procedures for the assessment of lung nodules and for informing preventative measures in case lung cancer is diagnosed. Traditionally, such procedures would be undertaken from the outside but the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Ffeed\u002Fupdate\u002Furn:li:activity:7203711960276725760\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">risk of causing lung collapse\u003C\u002Fa> can deter them from being carried out. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, we have the option to perform robot-assisted bronchoscopy to minimise the risk. With the help of a robot arm, physicians can take biopsies from inside the lungs rather than outside. The Cleveland Clinic Florida has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fconsultqd.clevelandclinic.org\u002Frobotic-assisted-bronchoscopy-changing-diagnostic-landscape\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">using such a system\u003C\u002Fa>. This approach has been associated with fewer complications and improved diagnosis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Changing Diagnostic Landscape\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FyWpdI_dHhVA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. Robots in rehab: human-machine collaboration\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robots have inspired countless creative endeavours in the entertainment industry and their usefulness \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">extends to the healthcare sector\u003C\u002Fa>. Take for example Robert from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lifescience-robotics.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Life Science Robotics\u003C\u002Fa>, which the company terms as a co-therapist for physical rehabilitation of patients. By attaching the robot’s arm to the patients’ arm or leg, it helps move the joints and muscles according to a healthcare professional’s instructions. Robert memorises that instructed motion and can perform it independently as required.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ROBERT® - Only 3 min. setup time\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFBewGIbLALs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such functional training is key to the healing journey of the patient and to avoid complications. By automating it, the heavy workload for the therapists is significantly reduced. Such a collaboration means that robots are not replacing professionals but are enhancing their work while improving patients’ well-being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. 3D printed anatomical models: from medical education to preoperative planning assistance\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Access to anatomical models is crucial for medical training and preoperative planning alike. For medical students, access to such models are often limited to teaching hours. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdash-orlando.com\u002Fservices\u002Fanatomical-models\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital Anatomy Simulations for Healthcare, LLC\u003C\u002Fa> (or DASH) addresses this need by 3D printing accurate and realistic anatomical models.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FwtTbAgaAfmk?si=z_X7NFhH66BoZL6W\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>DASH prints a range of models from dental components to skulls that can assist surgeons in preoperative planning. Moreover, those models can also be used for patient education before they undergo a procedure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. Teledentistry: increasing access to dental care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teledentisty\u003C\u002Fa> enables dental care access remotely; thereby making the patients the point of care. This can increase dental care access for patients with special needs or the elderly in nursing homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdentalmonitoring.com\u002Fdental-monitoring\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DentalMonitoring\u003C\u002Fa> offers remote oral observations through their AI-powered platform. Patients can take and send images with the company’s ScanBox app. These images are then analysed by an AI algorithm and sorts them for the dentist to consult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"DentalMonitoring Explainer for Patients\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FuV-9_GNIcbk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9. Mixed reality in medical education: enhanced training\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another MR application in healthcare is in medical education. By displaying virtual holograms at will with a headset, the technology can ease the process of learning complex and challenging subjects such as anatomy or pathology. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.animares.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ANIMA RES\u003C\u002Fa> has created MR models of human organs that can be viewed with an MR headset or even a phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Insight Series - for Enterprise\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Ffzv-iqUd21g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While the technology is promising, the cost remains a barrier. MR headsets remain costly that only medical schools with adequate resources can afford. Nevertheless, ANIMA RES does offer some of its models for free that can be viewed from a smartphone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>10. Customised 3D-printed splints: a personal fit\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Long-term splints are often worn during physical therapy or even for chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, the traditional ones might not be the most comfortable or offer a good fit. This can be an issue for patients if they need to wear them for extended periods of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dutch company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.manometric.nl\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manometric\u003C\u002Fa> offers customised, 3D-printed hand braces and splints. By first scanning the patient’s hand, the company can create a personalised splint within a few weeks. The custom product promises to be more comfortable and impedes less on daily activities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Day in the life of a Manometric technician! ⚡\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FMf6rPH4CFOc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We hope that you have found this collection to be insightful. Are there any other advanced healthcare technologies that you have seen in practice and are not featured in this article? If so, do share them with us!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1372,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As futurists, we have constantly been exploring what the future of healthcare holds for medical professionals and patients alike for years. With the rate of […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",25448,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,701,1376,69,5,707],493,[],[],[],[344,77,1131,466,78,1381,1133,1382,1383],1735,3215,3217,[1385,53,84,85,86,87,88,242,740,1386,90,91,746],"post-58097","category-augmented-reality",{"id":1373,"alt_text":1388,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":1389,"post":1409,"source_url":1410},"Top medical technologies",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":1390,"sizes":1391,"image_meta":1408},"2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies.png",{"medium":1392,"large":1395,"thumbnail":1398,"medium_large":1401,"1536x1536":1402,"2048x2048":1405},{"file":1393,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1394},"top-technologies-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-370x208.png",{"file":1396,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1397},"top-technologies-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png",{"file":1399,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1400},"top-technologies-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-150x150.png",{"file":1396,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1397},{"file":1403,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1404},"top-technologies-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-1536x864.png",{"file":1406,"width":369,"height":370,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1407},"top-technologies-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},25397,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-scaled.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":1412,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1413,1415],{"title":1414},"\u003Cp>Technologies that were only concepts some years ago are now real options to be used in healthcare practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1416},"\u003Cp>From wearable ultrasound to custom-made splints, we share a collection of 10 advanced healthcare technologies that are ready to be used in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1418,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1366},"10 Promising Advanced Healthcare Technologies In Practice - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1420,"collection":1425,"about":1427,"author":1429,"replies":1431,"version-history":1434,"predecessor-version":1438,"wp:featuredmedia":1442,"wp:attachment":1445,"wp:term":1448,"curies":1459},[1421],{"href":1422,"targetHints":1423},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097",{"allow":1424},[27],[1426],{"href":170},[1428],{"href":173},[1430],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[1432],{"embeddable":41,"href":1433},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58097",[1435],{"count":1436,"href":1437},3,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097\u002Frevisions",[1439],{"id":1440,"href":1441},58123,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097\u002Frevisions\u002F58123",[1443],{"embeddable":41,"href":1444},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F25448",[1446],{"href":1447},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58097",[1449,1451,1453,1455,1457],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1450},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58097",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1452},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58097",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1454},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58097",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1456},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58097",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1458},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58097",[1460],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1462,"date":1463,"date_gmt":1464,"guid":1465,"modified":1467,"modified_gmt":1468,"slug":1469,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1470,"title":1471,"content":1473,"excerpt":1475,"author":335,"featured_media":1477,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1478,"categories":1479,"tags":1482,"project_category":1490,"contact_email_category":1491,"yst_prominent_words":1492,"class_list":1497,"better_featured_image":1508,"acf":1529,"yoast_meta":1540,"_links":1543},16762,"2024-09-16T11:21:11","2024-09-16T09:21:11",{"rendered":1466},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=16762","2024-09-16T11:21:12","2024-09-16T09:21:12","future-emergency-medicine-innovations-making-patients-point-care","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-emergency-medicine-innovations-making-patients-point-care",{"rendered":1472},"The Future of Emergency Medicine: 6 Technologies That Make Patients The Point-of-Care",{"rendered":1474,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Car crashes, home injuries, fires, natural disasters:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> every minute\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> – if not every second – \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spent without treatment in such cases of medical emergencies \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and high-risk patients\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could reduce the chance of survival \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or proper recovery. In fact, when deprived of oxygen, permanent brain damage begins after \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedlineplus.gov\u002Fency\u002Farticle\u002F000013.htm\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only 4 minutes\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while death can occur as soon as 4-6 minutes later.\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this race against time, digital health technologies that turn patients into the point-of-care could prove to be game-changers for first responders and emergency units. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From driverless cars through medical drones to artificial intelligence (A.I.), advanced technologies are enhancing the field of emergency medicine. It’s helpful to have a better look at how those technologies are influencing emergency care and what lies ahead. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We talked with Dr. Gabor Csató, CEO of the National Ambulance Service in Hungary (abbreviated as OMSZ in Hungarian), about innovation in the field, given that their own system’s operation is unique. The OMSZ is a centralised, standalone national healthcare institution that has been active for 133 years. It is also the biggest ambulance service in the country and has had a strong inclination towards innovation. “\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovation is embedded in the DNA of the organisation\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,” the CEO of OMSZ told us.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">W\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e have also \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">collected in this article those\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trends and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">innovations that are putting the future of emergency medicine on the fast lane. Before seeing how this lane looks like, let’s take a quick glance in the rearview mirror to better appreciate the evolution of the field.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cstrong>Patients to the hospital or hospital to the patient?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being depicted as a revered, traditional speciality in popular media, emergency medicine is relatively new, being mostly the product of the accelerated, globalized world we live in. Estimates date the development of modern emergency medical services in the United States to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthaffairs.org\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1377\u002Fhlthaff.2013.0683\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the early 1960s\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This happened in \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">response to the increased number of traffic accidents \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resulting from\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the boom of cars on the newly built American highways. Later on, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore followed shortly thereafter, developing their respective emergency medical systems in the 1970s and 1980s.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cfigure id=\"attachment_30331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30331\" style=\"width: 626px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30331 size-full\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Femergency-medicine-ambulance.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"626\" height=\"442\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: www.freepik.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The latter is used in most European countries, and it means that medical doctors\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supported by paramedics, treat more patients on the scene of an accident or in their homes before bringing them to the hospital\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thus emergency care happens on the scene or en route to the hospital. In the case of the Anglo-American model, fewer patients are treated on the spot and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are instead transported \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to the emergency room as fast as possible for treatment. Currently, countries in the developed world use some practices from both models, but the latest digital technologies will rather push emergency medicine in the direction of the “hospital to the patient” approach.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An immense level of innovation is experienced in smart healthcare solutions nowadays\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,” Dr. Csató told The Medical Futurist. So let’s take a closer look at the latest innovations making it possible to treat medical and trauma emergencies faster and more efficiently than ever before!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1>\u003Cb>1. Artificial intelligence for logistics and capacity allocation\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As AI impacts healthcare from \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drug discovery\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-artificial-intelligence-companies-in-healthcare\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helping in diagnoses\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to finding \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-curious-case-of-a-i-discovering-unusual-associations-in-medicine\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unusual associations\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the technology is also finding a new home in the emergency department. Indeed, the OMSZ is using AI for logistics and capacity allocation in its day-to-day operation. Given how their operations generate an immense amount of data from the 3000 daily cases and how their cars cover over 40 million kilometres per year, smart algorithms are the logical solution to mine this data for predictions.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27609 size-full\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small.png\" alt=\"artificial intelligence and COVID\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FAI-and-COVID-small-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“AI does not know that there will be an accident tomorrow afternoon on a major two-lane road between two cities but can predict the statistical probability of that,”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  Dr. Csató explained, regarding the implementation of A.I. in their practice. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are also dealing with planning daily capacity allocation within the country. Our vehicles can be easily deployed to neighbouring areas, where we experience capacity peaks.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The software company Hexagon also \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhxgnspotlight.com\u002Fsolutions-for-smart-cities-ai-for-emergency-services\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">introduced their AI solution\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for emergency services. Their HxGN OnCall Dispatch | Smart Advisor system mines and analyses operational data in real-time to detect patterns and identify major events as they happen. As anomalies are identified sooner, the insights allow emergency teams to react and coordinate faster\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cstrong>2. \u003Cb>Apps \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cb>streamlining \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cb>emergency care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to some analyses, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2016\u002F02\u002F01\u002Fcommunication-failures-malpractice-study\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">up to 80%\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of clinical errors are due to miscommunication between medical staff. In emergency care, such errors should be minimised as much as possible and new software programmes can help.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based in Montana in the U.S., \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pulsara.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pulsara\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the developer of a HIPAA-compliant platform for EMS, ambulance and emergency management. Its connected mobile app \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allows paramedics to alert an emergency department before arrival with the patient and prepare beforehand. It does so not only by calculating the estimated time of arrival based on GPS but \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also by allowing\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> users \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to share important details like the ECG or images from the field\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some studies even report an average decreased treatment time \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pulsara.com\u002Fabout\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of nearly 30%\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when using Pulsara. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pulsara Intro - Barry's Having a Heart Attack [STOP STEMI]\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplayer.vimeo.com\u002Fvideo\u002F103361400?dnt=1&app_id=122963\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To further save precious time, volunteers on the spot can also perform CPR until an ambulance arrives.  Dr. Csató told us about the\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> “\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fszivcity.hu\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Szív City\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">” app they introduced in Hungary that taps into this potentially life-saving approach. The app alerts volunteer users of any street resuscitation event within 500 meters of their location. With over 30.000 volunteers using Szív City, the OMSZ doubled the number of successful street CPRs in just one year.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coming from the American Heart Association is the free iOS app, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fcpr.heart.org\u002FAHAECC\u002FCPRAndECC\u002FTraining\u002FHealthcareProfessional\u002FFullCodePro\u002FUCM_476262_Full-Code-Pro.jsp\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full Code Pro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is a  real-time CPR event tracking tool, allowing users to document critical interventions. With a single tap, first responders can log administered medication, start a countdown and even have access to a metronome to optimize chest compression rhythm. The documentation collected can later be reviewed \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so that the team can learn from the collected data as well. Thus, you can fully focus on the patient without sacrificing proper documentation. A win-win!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergency care not only happens on the ground but also up in the air. In-flight medical emergencies are very real and digital health technologies \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-of-flight-medicine\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are well-suited for those situations\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The free \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.airrxmedical.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">airRx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> app contains \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the 23 most common medical emergency situations \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that guide physicians in-flight to assist travellers experiencing medical concerns. For the cabin crew, the recent \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.internationalsos.com\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fnews-releases\u002Fmedaire-aviation-app-makes-managing-in-flight--medical-events-easier-for-airlines--a--crew-jan-22-2020\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MedAire Aviation App\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> connects crew members to physicians for guided patient assessment. It has recently been integrated into Icelandair commercial flights.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cstrong>3. Video game for practice\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a recent article, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F4-examples-of-merging-gaming-digital-health\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we explored\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> how gaming features are merging in digital health; and gaming’s influence is expanding into emergency medicine. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chicago-based start-up \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.levelex.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level Ex\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> develops mobile video games to train medical professionals. Their \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=com.levelex.airwayex\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airway Ex app\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for example offers realistic scenarios for doctors and paramedics to better prepare for challenging airway management.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Level Ex: Video Games for Doctors\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FdZ4d2RgMAqY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The app scores the worker’s speed, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">damage caused\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bleeding and also monitors the virtual patient’s vital signs while the procedure takes place. Moreover, it can be used anywhere – on the subway, at home or on the Bahamas during holidays (but we don’t recommend that).\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cstrong>4. \u003Cb>Portable point-of-care diagnostic devices\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appearance of pocket-sized, user-friendly and portable diagnostic devices makes it easier and faster to treat a patient on the spot. No matter whether it is ultrasound, ECG or laboratory testing, behemoth machines are things of the past.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nowadays, physicians can literally carry \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-7-must-haves-for-the-doctor-of-the-21st-century\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a department’s worth of diagnostic tools\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in their briefcase.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some years ago ultrasound diagnosis was the privilege of radiologists, emergency medical specialists\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> opportunity to use bedside point-of-care ultrasound devices (PoCUS) to answer some yes-or-no questions \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as intra-abdominal \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bleeding. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handheld ultrasound devices such as the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwireless-and-scanning-the-clarius-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarius\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthreshold-of-a-new-era-in-diagnostics-philips-lumify-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Lumify\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allow doctors and first responders to easily assess a critically ill patient, no matter where they are.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Clarius Portable Ultrasound Review - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FZHKXyG_CBxE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, we all know it’s not only about the size. Not so long ago, it was a huge innovation \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for a smartphone\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make a one-lead ECG. However, even if it showed the rhythm, it wasn’t able to replace standard 12-lead ECG. In many cases, if the doctor does not see all the 12 leads, a possible heart attack might be easily mistaken. Now, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.smartheartpro.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart Heart Pro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows users to make a 12-lead ECG with a smartphone or tablet wirelessly. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is as accurate as a similar standard bedside exam, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only available practically anywhere\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the long-hours waiting for laboratory blood test results will also be over \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soon. Handheld,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lightweight point-of-care testing (PoCT) devices, such as the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pointofcare.abbott\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fofferings\u002Fistat\u002Fistat-handheld\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">i-STAT testing equipment\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Abbott\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will make this possible\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Abbott’s fast and accurate blood analyzer allows doctors to evaluate the patient’s blood sample on the spot and wirelessly transmit the results or the data to colleagues. Invaluable time gain during emergency situations!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cb>5. Medical drones for delivering care from the air\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drones have great potential in \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-drones\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">transporting \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drugs, vaccines or medical aid\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at a faster rate\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Rwanda, the medical drone company Zipline \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-rwanda\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">delivers medical supplies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to hospitals via drones as part of the local healthcare system. This method enables healthcare facilities that Zipline serves to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Frobotics\u002Fdrones\u002Fin-the-air-with-ziplines-medical-delivery-drones\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">receive emergency blood packs within minutes\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, instead of hours. For the COVID-19 pandemic, Zipline \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F5\u002F27\u002F21270351\u002Fzipline-drones-novant-health-medical-center-hospital-supplies-ppe\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expanded their service in the U.S.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to deliver medical supplies and PPE, entirely contactless.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21675 size-full\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FFuture-of-a-Medical-Camp-by-The-Medical-Futurist.jpg\" alt=\"Future of healthcare\" width=\"870\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FFuture-of-a-Medical-Camp-by-The-Medical-Futurist.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FFuture-of-a-Medical-Camp-by-The-Medical-Futurist-768x591.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FFuture-of-a-Medical-Camp-by-The-Medical-Futurist-512x394.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another potential for drones in the emergency care setting is to deliver automatic external \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">defibrillators (AEDs) directly to people who have just suffered a heart attack. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This concept was already explored by researchers in \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tudelft.nl\u002Fen\u002Fide\u002Fresearch\u002Fresearch-labs\u002Fapplied-labs\u002Fambulance-drone\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Netherlands\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffuturism.com\u002Flive-saving-medical-devices-could-soon-be-delivered-by-drone-to-heart-attack-victims\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AED-carrying drones \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were also \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F09\u002Fhealth\u002Fambulance-drone-teching-care-of-your-health\u002Findex.html\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">t\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ested in Stockholm with promising results\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arrived at the patient within a quarter of the time that the ambulance took to arrive. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, such \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drones are not simple transporting machines, they can provide instructions to the bystanders on providing CPR, using the AED and they also allow the dispatch team to give feedback via its own video connection. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Swedish drone developer Everdrone \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.everdrone.com\u002Fnews\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F17\u002Feverdrone-announces-collaboration-with-karolinska-institutet-and-sos-alarm-ab\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced its partnership\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Karolinska Institutet to investigate emergency deliveries of medicine and equipment to critical care patients, wherever they are.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such AED drones have rather limited use and haven’t been widely adopted. But we hope that won’t be the case for too long.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cb>6. Easing transportation and the era of driverless ambulances\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of proper transportation is a significant barrier to access to healthcare worldwide. Every year, as many as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fdoctor-visits-could-provide-relief-to-uber-and-lyft-11562756401\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.6 million people\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> miss their doctor’s appointment due to poor transportation services. But with ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, transportation issues in healthcare \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fride-hailing-platforms-solve-problems-transportation-healthcare\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can become a thing of the past\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indeed, Uber launched \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.uberhealth.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uber Health\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, its HIPAA-compliant service for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), which later simply vanished.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lyft \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lyftbusiness.com\u002Findustries\u002Fhealthcare\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also expanded in healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for NEMT rides to curb missed appointments. Other ride-hailing startups like \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.circulation.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Circulation (now called Modivcare)\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fkaizenhealth.org\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kaizen Health\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fveyo.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veyo\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also branched out to help patients reach hospitals in a secure and reliable manner. Circulation even claims to reduce no-shows by 68%.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17697 size-full\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Ffuture-of-ambulance-and-uber-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, on the topic of transportation, t\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-driverless-car-for-healthcare\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">development of driverless cars\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">holds \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the potential \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to turn \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cars into points-of-care. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The technology can take some strain off emergency services so that patients receive better care. Already, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpublications.parliament.uk\u002Fpa\u002Fld201617\u002Fldselect\u002Fldsctech\u002F115\u002F11505.htm\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some governments\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> considering driverless ambulances\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These ambulances \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fin-the-future-your-ambulance-could-be-driverless-78974\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would work as “medical taxis”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They would pick up low-risk patients and transport them to the nearest hospital or clinic for treatment. With the introduction of these ambulances, the need for paramedics to respond to every call – regardless of severity – would be greatly reduced. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it might be less comfortable for people to get into a driverless car to go to the hospital at first. Could you imagine sending your wife in labour to the emergency unit in a driverless ambulance? We’ll probably have to get used to the idea!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cstrong>A possible emergency scene from the future\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital technologies not only help patients receive care more quickly and in a more efficient manner, but they can also support emergency care units to handle situations more safely and more confidently. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the widespread adoption of these tools, critical care patients can receive assistance in a timely manner that wasn’t possible before. And with the emergence of advanced technologies, emergency services will become more efficient and patient-focused in the near future. To help visualise this, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published an imagined scenario of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the tech-powered future of first response: \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Future of First Response - Vision for Emergency Medical Services\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fv5hjsGoXk5w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their clothing, made of smart, light materials, would protect them from gunshots or punctures. They might easily turn on the high-visibility mode of their clothing if they go to dark places or work at night. Sensors and wearables would monitor their own health and fitness while providing their location. Using self-driving ambulances, first responders would have the time to prepare for situations and receive patient data already on the way to the scene. This could help bring exactly the right equipment to the patient in need. It would be easier to access patient data and monitor vital signs through various sensors, wearables – or digital tattoos. Moreover, with the help of exoskeletons, first responders could lift patients with less effort.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The future of emergency services looks more streamlined, data-based, efficient and faster than ever before, while both taking the needs of the patient and the limitations of caregivers into consideration. So, hopefully, within a couple of years, no one will have to wait for an unnecessarily long time until getting proper care. Yet, knowing what to do in an emergency situation or how to do CPR will come in handy anytime, so check out this video and keep stayin’ alive!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this article got you interested in the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">technological future of emergency medicine, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we have more to share about other \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical specialities. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, be sure to check out \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dedicated to the subject!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23819\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png\" alt=\"future of medical specialties\" width=\"3200\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1476,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Car crashes, home injuries, fires, natural disasters: every minute – if not every second – spent without treatment in such cases of medical emergencies and […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30365,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1480,231,69,339,1481,705,5,706],6479,800,[1006,1483,870,1484,1485,1486,863,864,865,1487,866,1488,709,1489],777,778,779,780,617,775,776,[726,727,728],[],[78,1134,469,1493,1494,1495,1496,595,344],2811,2843,3825,3829,[1498,53,84,85,86,87,88,1499,243,90,348,1500,744,91,745,1019,1501,896,1502,1503,1504,889,890,891,1505,892,1506,747,1507,763,764,765],"post-16762","category-covid-19","category-healthcare-policy","tag-er","tag-first-response","tag-first-aid","tag-cpr","tag-emergency","tag-emergency-medicine","tag-ems",{"id":1477,"alt_text":64,"caption":1509,"description":1510,"media_type":98,"media_details":1511,"post":373,"source_url":1528},"Medical drone on its way to the hospital","We collected what trends and technologies will have an impact on the future of emergency medicine.",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":1512,"sizes":1513,"image_meta":1527},"2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations.png",{"medium":1514,"large":1517,"thumbnail":1520,"medium_large":1523,"1536x1536":1524},{"file":1515,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1516},"reverse_innovations-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations-370x208.png",{"file":1518,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1519},"reverse_innovations-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations-768x432.png",{"file":1521,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1522},"reverse_innovations-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations-150x150.png",{"file":1518,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1519},{"file":1525,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1526},"reverse_innovations-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002Freverse_innovations.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1530,"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1534,"key_takeaways":1535},[1531,1532,1533],25833,30251,14723,[512],[1536,1538],{"title":1537},"\u003Cp>In this article, we analyze what technological directions could have a large impact of emergency medicine and its services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1539},"\u003Cp>From AI and drones to augmented reality and shared transportation systems, this specialty is in the middle of a transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1541,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1542,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1470},"The Future of Emergency Medicine: 6 Technologies That Make Patients The Point-of-Care - The Medical Futurist","In our latest article, we collected what trends and technologies will have an impact on the future of emergency medicine.",{"self":1544,"collection":1549,"about":1551,"author":1553,"replies":1555,"version-history":1558,"predecessor-version":1562,"wp:featuredmedia":1566,"wp:attachment":1569,"wp:term":1572,"curies":1583},[1545],{"href":1546,"targetHints":1547},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16762",{"allow":1548},[27],[1550],{"href":170},[1552],{"href":173},[1554],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1556],{"embeddable":41,"href":1557},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=16762",[1559],{"count":1560,"href":1561},18,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16762\u002Frevisions",[1563],{"id":1564,"href":1565},58011,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16762\u002Frevisions\u002F58011",[1567],{"embeddable":41,"href":1568},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30365",[1570],{"href":1571},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=16762",[1573,1575,1577,1579,1581],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1574},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=16762",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1576},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=16762",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1578},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=16762",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1580},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=16762",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1582},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=16762",[1584],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1586,"date":1587,"date_gmt":1588,"guid":1589,"modified":1591,"modified_gmt":1592,"slug":1593,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1594,"title":1595,"content":1597,"excerpt":1599,"author":335,"featured_media":227,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1601,"categories":1602,"tags":1603,"project_category":1608,"contact_email_category":1609,"yst_prominent_words":1610,"class_list":1616,"better_featured_image":1622,"acf":1631,"yoast_meta":1642,"_links":1645},14811,"2024-07-18T09:30:00","2024-07-18T07:30:00",{"rendered":1590},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14811","2024-07-18T09:16:06","2024-07-18T07:16:06","the-technological-future-of-surgery","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-technological-future-of-surgery",{"rendered":1596},"The Technological Future Of Surgery",{"rendered":1598,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.\u003C\u002Fem>” This quote by Arthur C. Clarke pretty much sums up the future of surgery. It offers fantastic cooperation between humans and technology, which could elevate the level of precision and efficiency of surgeries so high we have never seen before. AI, surgical robots, 3D printing and new imaging methods are already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F30\u002Ftechnology\u002Frobot-surgery-surgeon.html\" target=\"_blank\">used on a wide scale\u003C\u002Fa> of procedures. But there’s much more to the future of surgery than that. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although robotic-assisted surgeries are not yet the mainstream way of operating patients, these procedures are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rcseng.ac.uk\u002Fstandards-and-research\u002Fstandards-and-guidance\u002Fgood-practice-guides\u002Frobotic-assisted-surgery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">already used in 70+ countries\u003C\u002Fa> around the world, millions of times each year. According to some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.strategicmarketresearch.com\u002Fblogs\u002Frobotic-surgery-statistics#:~:text=Between%202012%20and%202022%2C%20the%20percentage%20of%20general%20surgery%20procedures,from%201.8%25%20to%2017%25.&text=Robotic%20surgery%20is%20becoming%20increasingly,for%2070.6%25%20of%20total%20surgery.\" target=\"_blank\">widely used – although hard to source\u003C\u002Fa> – statistics, some 15-20% of the surgeries in the United States have robotic assistance.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With AI technologies rising, surgeons can enlist additional technological aids, as algorithms will certainly play a role in their future lives, from helping in surgical planning to designing custom implants. It is time to see how new technologies will transform this medical specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here, I collected the technologies that will significantly impact the future of surgery.\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step zero: surgeons to rethink their profession\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Before touching base with technology, we need to think about the human quotient of the department. Surgeons bear huge responsibilities: they might cause irreparable damage and medical miracles with one incision on the patient’s body. With the rise of digital technologies, the operating rooms and surgeons are inundated with new devices to make the least cuts possible. We need to deal with these new surgical technologies to make everyone understand that they extend the capabilities of surgeons instead of replacing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgeons also tend to alienate themselves from patients. Human touch is not necessarily the quintessence of their work; however, as technological solutions find their way into their practice taking over part of their repetitive tasks, it would make sense to rethink their stance. Treating patients with empathy before and after surgery would ensure their services are irreplaceable also in the age of robotics and artificial intelligence. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34321\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Virtual reality\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In April 2016, cancer surgeon Shafi Ahmed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2016\u002Fapr\u002F14\u002Fcutting-edge-theatre-worlds-first-virtual-reality-operation-goes-live\">performed an operation\u003C\u002Fa> using a VR camera at the Royal London Hospital. It was a huge step for surgery, and anyone could \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicalrealities.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">participate in it,\u003C\u002Fa> in real time. Ever since, companies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fossovr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Osso VR\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.immersivetouch.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ImmersiveTouch\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Foramavr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">OramaVR\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fundamentalvr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Fundamental VR\u003C\u002Fa> have used VR as both training or imaging solutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>VR can elevate the teaching and learning experience in medicine to a whole new level, replacing students peeking over the surgeon’s shoulder during an operation. By using VR, surgeons can stream operations, allowing medical students to be in the OR virtually, using their VR goggles. Helping doctors practise procedures or life-saving moves is invaluable. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond surgical training, VR can also be used to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalgiving.stanford.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-reality-system-helps-surgeons-reassures-patients.html\" target=\"_blank\">help patients understand their procedures\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Facsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\u002Fdoi\u002Fabs\u002F10.1002\u002Fcncr.35282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manage pain and anxiety\u003C\u002Fa>. The technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes by allowing for better pre-operative planning and more precise surgical execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And although this hasn’t (yet) become the norm in medical training or education over the past years, leading universities and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.studyinternational.com\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-reality-technology-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">institutions\u003C\u002Fa> certainly \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hcinnovationgroup.com\u002Fhome\u002Farticle\u002F13011124\u002Fmayo-clinic-becomes-first-us-institution-to-train-surgeons-with-fundamental-surgery-vr-haptic-simulations\" target=\"_blank\">make use of the technology.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even more: virtual reality training can contribute to the efficiency of healthcare systems in rural areas, just as the Orlando Medical Institute is delivering \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wfmz.com\u002Fnews\u002Fpr_newswire\u002Fpr_newswire_health\u002Fgroundbreaking-pediatric-training-tour-uses-virtual-reality-to-improve-emergency-care-for-children-by-rural\u002Farticle_19f1693f-6723-5205-8624-6d6d96f3f489.html\" target=\"_blank\">emergency medical training\u003C\u002Fa> in Florida for pediatric emergencies. This is the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-Minute Challenge: Virtual Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIVfmkds2PcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Augmented reality\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As there is a lot of confusion around \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\" target=\"_blank\">VR and AR, not to mention MR\u003C\u002Fa>, let me clarify: AR differs from VR in two essential features. AR users do not lose touch with reality, while VR completely shields you from the physical world. Mixed reality combines the features of VR and AR. And if you hear someone talking about XR (or extended reality): this is the umbrella term for all the before-mentioned realities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These distinctive features have a huge potential in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.hss.edu\u002Fmore-than-the-eye-can-see-hospital-for-special-surgery-first-in-nys-to-use-augmented-reality-guidance-in-spine-surgery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">helping surgeons\u003C\u002Fa> become more efficient at surgeries. Whether they are conducting a minimally invasive procedure or locating a tumour in the liver, AR healthcare apps can help save lives and treat patients seamlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"INSIGHT HEART on Apple Vision Pro\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FZDQroB3hVaw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The first AR-backed spinal fusion surgery took place in 2020 in the U.S., where an FDA-approved AR Guidance system \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Forthospinenews.com\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F11\u002Ffirst-augmented-reality-spine-surgery-using-fda-cleared-augmedics-xvision-spine-system-completed-in-u-s\u002F\">helped surgeons visualise\u003C\u002Fa> the 3D spinal anatomy of a patient during surgery – it was just as if doctors had X-ray vision. The team at the Johns Hopkins Hospital praised the tool for accuracy, safety and operating efficiency. Another company, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.propriovision.com\" target=\"_blank\">Proprio\u003C\u002Fa> supports medical professionals by creating AI-supported ultra-precise 3D images.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>EchoPixel’s \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.echopixeltech.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">True 3D medical visualisation system\u003C\u002Fa> allows doctors to interact with patient-specific organs and tissue in an open 3D space. It enables doctors to identify, evaluate, and dissect clinically significant structures immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-minute Challenge: Augmented Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FxUaBrgsHkPs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Surgical robotics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgical robots today have 3D cameras that record operations. The video streams to a computer screen somewhere nearby beyond a plexiglass as the doctor \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F30\u002Ftechnology\u002Frobot-surgery-surgeon.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proceeds with the operation\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-exciting-medical-robot-facts\" target=\"_blank\">Surgical robots are the prodigies of surgery\u003C\u002Fa>. The most commonly known surgical robot is the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts-and-services\u002Fda-vinci\u002F5\" target=\"_blank\">da Vinci surgical system,\u003C\u002Fa> and, believe it or not, it was introduced 25 years ago! It features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far more than the human hand. With Intuitive’s da Vinci, surgeons operate through just a few small incisions – no wonder that it has been used in over 14 million procedures worldwide to date. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Within this procedure, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times. The robot’s added value is to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-coming-to-the-operating-room-11599786000?mod=article_inline\" target=\"_blank\">assist the surgeon\u003C\u002Fa> in suturing, dissecting and retracting tissue. Surgical robots can dramatically increase \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.utsouthwestern.edu\u002Fnewsroom\u002Farticles\u002Fyear-2024\u002Fjan-robotic-surgery-colon-cancer-patients.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">operations’ precision\u003C\u002Fa>, but the real breakthrough will only come with entirely autonomous robots in the operating rooms. That’ll probably take a while, but there’s definitely a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">place for robots in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Robot draws blood\" class=\"wp-image-31673\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F12\u002F229_tmf-01-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) Minimally invasive surgery\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the 18th century, after Edison produced his lightbulb, a Glasgow physician \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.theatlantic.com\u002Fhealth\u002Farchive\u002F2014\u002F10\u002Fthe-future-of-surgery-less-cutting-more-robots\u002F381003\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">built a tiny bulb\u003C\u002Fa> into a tube to look around inside the body. But it wasn’t until the second half of the 20th century that fibre-optic threads brought brighter light into the caverns of the body. Even later, tiny computer chip cameras started sending images back out. Finally, doctors could not only clearly see inside a person’s body without making a long incision but could also use tiny tools to perform surgery inside. One of the techniques revolutionising surgery was the introduction of laparoscopes and then endoscopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Minimally invasive surgery allows fewer but more precise cuts and fewer incisions, leading to less pain and faster recovery. The medical device start-up \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Flevita.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Levita\u003C\u002Fa> aims to refine such procedures with its FDA-approved \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.massdevice.com\u002Flevita-magnetics-fda-clearance-mars-surgical-robot\u002F#:~:text=Levita%20Magnetics%20wins%20FDA%20clearance%20for%20magnetic%2Dassisted%20surgical%20robot,-August%2022%2C%202023&text=The%20MARS%20surgical%20robot%20system,magnetic%2Dassisted%20robotic%20surgery%20platform.\" target=\"_blank\">MARS Magnetic Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa>. This innovative technological platform utilises magnetic retraction during laparoscopic surgery. The company has come a long way in the past few years, their first FDA approval was for a solution for laparoscopic gallbladder removal, while MARS is aimed to assist a wide range of abdominal surgical procedures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.vicarioussurgical.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vicarious Surgical\u003C\u002Fa>, a next-generation surgical robotics company, aims to increase the efficiency of surgical procedures. The Vicarious system has an exceptional reach and the ability to “replicate” all the moves of a surgeon – and more. It creates a single incision just 1.5 cm across that still allows through two robotic arms and a camera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Future of Surgery\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FE81gsTHDruI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>5) 3D printing and simulations in pre-operative planning and education\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complicated and risky surgeries lasting hours need a lot of careful planning. Existing technologies such as 3D printing or various simulation techniques help a lot in reforming medical practice and learning methods, as well as modelling and planning successfully complex surgical procedures.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In March 2016, in China, a team of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experienced doctors decided\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build a full-sized model of the heart of a small baby born with a heart defect. They pre-planned an extremely complicated surgery on the tiny heart. This was the first time someone used this method in China. The team of medical professionals successfully \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F124954\u002F3d-printed-heart-saves-baby\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">completed the surgery\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The little boy survived with little to no lasting ill-effects.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers at Penn State University have been\u003C\u002Fspan> working on skin and bone bioprinting\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for at least a decade. They have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fresearch\u002Fstory\u002Fskin-and-bones-repaired-bioprinting-during-surgery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">repaired skin and bones by bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa> during surgery in rat models. Face and skull injuries are particularly difficult to fix as there are many layers of various tissues. During such operations, Ibrahim T. Ozbolat, Hartz Family Career Development Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering and Neurosurgery, Penn State and his team printed both bone and soft tissue. “\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It took less than 5 minutes for the bioprinter to lay down the bone layer and soft tissue,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">” the professor explained. They hope to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.engr.psu.edu\u002F2023\u002Fozbolat-ibrahim-high-speed-bioprinting-nih-grant.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">translate this research\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fresearch\u002Fstory\u002F3d-printed-skin-closes-wounds-and-contains-hair-follicle-precursors\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">human applications\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_249-01.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-33403\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_249-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_249-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_249-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_249-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>3D printing technology also started to get a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fuk-england-nottinghamshire-68734814\" target=\"_blank\">foothold in medical education\u003C\u002Fa>. To provide surgeons and students with an alternative to a living human being to work on, a pair of physicians at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fnewatlas.com\u002Fartificial-organs-bleed-realistic\u002F46538\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">developed a way\u003C\u002Fa> to use 3D printing to create artificial organs back in 2016. They looked, felt, and even bled like the real thing. Ever since 3D printing has been taking over institutes as it increases future physicians’ more profound understanding of anatomy and pathology, leads to a better understanding of the procedures and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41598-024-59351-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improves trainee skill set\u003C\u002Fa> and confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We’ve been hearing about 3D-printing in medicine for a while now, but progress has been slow so far – mostly due to the high costs. This might start to change. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stratasys.com\u002Fen\u002Findustries-and-applications\u002F3d-printing-industries\u002Fmedical\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Stratasys\u003C\u002Fa> has announced a 3D printer that is targeted at hospitals, medical device manufacturers and research institutions, designed for the production of realistic, patient-specific anatomic models. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.materialise.com\u002Fen\u002Facademy\u002Fhealthcare\u002Ftraining\" target=\"_blank\">Materialise offers\u003C\u002Fa> 3D Printing in Medicine Course as hands-on training for hospitals to train personnel about the technology and what it can do in a hospital setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6) Remote surgery\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Remote or telesurgery lies in the intersection of 5G, robotic technology and wireless networking. In the long run, it might be redefining the field enabling surgeons to perform operations on patients who are geographically distant. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This addresses many traditional pain points: the need for physical presence and the logistical challenges of scheduling, and allows real-time collaboration among surgeons across the globe, thus improving accuracy and outcomes. This advanced technology, theoretically, allows high-quality surgical care to reach medically underserved areas, including rural regions, battlefields, and remote environments like submarines and space stations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite its transformative potential, telesurgery faces several limitations and challenges. High initial costs and maintenance expenses can be prohibitive, and there are significant concerns regarding patient safety and data privacy. The risk of cyber-attacks and unstable internet connections can jeopardize the integrity and success of surgical procedures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7) AI’s growing influence \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Artificial Intelligence will revolutionise the surgical profession, impacting every stage of the surgical pathway, from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkarger.com\u002Fesr\u002Farticle\u002F65\u002F1\u002F22\u002F894518\u002FArtificial-Intelligence-in-Surgery-The-Future-Is\" target=\"_blank\">pre-operative planning to post-operative care\u003C\u002Fa>, enhancing decision-making and improving patient outcomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the pre-operative phase, AI can aid in early and accurate diagnosis by analysing medical images, identifying potential risk factors, and suggesting personalised treatment plans. Intraoperatively, AI-powered tools can provide real-time guidance to surgeons, augmenting their skills and precision. Post-operatively, AI can monitor patient recovery, predict complications, and facilitate efficient discharge planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, algorithms will not only impact the surroundings of the operating room. They will also streamline administrative tasks, optimise resource allocation, and enhance surgical training and education. By automating routine tasks, AI frees up valuable time for surgeons to focus on complex decision-making and patient care. Additionally, AI-powered simulations can provide surgeons with immersive training experiences, honing their skills in a risk-free environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The integration of AI with robotics, sensors, and other cutting-edge technologies \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.news-medical.net\u002Fnews\u002F20230508\u002FAI-in-surgery-A-double-edged-scalpel.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">promises to redefine surgical procedures\u003C\u002Fa>, making them less invasive, more precise, and ultimately more successful. However, the growing reliance on AI also raises ethical considerations. Ensuring patient privacy and data security is paramount, as is addressing potential biases in AI algorithms. It is crucial to establish clear guidelines and regulations for the responsible use of AI in surgery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The future of surgery lies in the collaboration between human expertise and AI capabilities. By harnessing the power of AI, surgeons can enhance their skills, optimize decision-making, and ultimately deliver better care to their patients. The integration of AI into the surgical profession holds the promise of a new era of precision, efficiency, and improved patient outcomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The key: human-technology cooperation\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The future of surgery, just as the future of medicine, means close cooperation between humans and medical technology. I cannot stress enough that robots and other products of rapid technological development will not replace humans – instead, those medical professionals using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-reasons-artificial-intelligence-wont-replace-physicians\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI will replace\u003C\u002Fa> the ones who don’t. The two will complement each other’s work in such a successful way that we have never seen nor dreamed about before. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But only if we learn how to do so.\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:post-content -->\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Ch3>Learn more about the technological future of medical specialities from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23819 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png\" alt=\"future of medical specialties\" width=\"3200\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C!-- wp:html -->\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, launched The Medical Futurist to help individuals, companies, and governments understand how digital health technologies bring healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u003Cem>“Digital health technologies empower patients to become proactive in their life; empower medical professionals to do their job being supported by advanced technologies, and companies and policymakers to make better decisions about their future.” – Dr. Bertalan Meskó\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support this transformation, Dr. Meskó and The Medical Futurist team is working relentlessly analyzing the latest trends in digital health and bringing insights to the 800,000+ readers and followers of our publications, along these principles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist is a place to learn, not a place for advertising\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>. The Medical Futurist team is working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information, that is free from the influence of vendors and companies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>Unlike many others, we keep 99% of The Medical Futurist content open for all readers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>We commit to high-impact reporting that helps people navigate the jungle of digital health and to see where it is heading. With no shareholders or billionaire owners, we set our agenda and provide unbiased insights that are free from commercial and political influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp>\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:html -->\u003C\u002Fp>",{"rendered":1600,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The future of surgery offers an amazing cooperation between humans and technology, through which surgeries reach high levels of precision and efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[231,1376,69,588,339,704,5,707],[454,873,1604,1605,864,71,1606,1241,870,1607,458,871],145,205,519,625,[875,876,725,726,727],[],[236,1611,1612,595,598,1613,238,78,1495,1133,1614,1615,79,886],2389,2405,1721,1787,1833,[1617,53,84,85,86,87,88,243,1386,90,610,348,743,91,746,481,899,1618,1619,890,92,1620,1265,896,1621,485,897,900,901,762,763,764],"post-14811","tag-augmented-reality-2","tag-diagnostics","tag-gc4","tag-surgical-robot",{"id":227,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":245,"media_type":98,"media_details":1623,"post":265,"source_url":266},{"width":100,"height":101,"file":247,"sizes":1624,"image_meta":1630},{"medium":1625,"large":1626,"thumbnail":1627,"medium_large":1628,"1536x1536":1629},{"file":250,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":251},{"file":253,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":254},{"file":256,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":257},{"file":253,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":254},{"file":260,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":263},{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1632,"subtitle":64,"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1634,"key_takeaways":1635},[928,1633],24354,[514,512],[1636,1638,1640],{"title":1637},"\u003Cp>Technological advancements, including robotics, AI, and digital health, will fundamentally transform the surgical profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1639},"\u003Cp>To preserve the human component, surgeons may need to place greater emphasis on doctor-patient relationships, communication, and empathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1641},"\u003Cp>There is a significant gap between theoretically possible outcomes and realistically expected results in the mid-term, especially outside of top-tier clinics in the wealthiest countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1643,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1644,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1594},"The Technological Future Of Surgery - The Medical Futurist","The future of surgery offers an amazing cooperation between humans and technology, through which surgeries reach high levels of precision and efficiency.",{"self":1646,"collection":1651,"about":1653,"author":1655,"replies":1657,"version-history":1660,"predecessor-version":1663,"wp:featuredmedia":1667,"wp:attachment":1669,"wp:term":1672,"curies":1683},[1647],{"href":1648,"targetHints":1649},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811",{"allow":1650},[27],[1652],{"href":170},[1654],{"href":173},[1656],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1658],{"embeddable":41,"href":1659},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14811",[1661],{"count":959,"href":1662},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811\u002Frevisions",[1664],{"id":1665,"href":1666},57055,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811\u002Frevisions\u002F57055",[1668],{"embeddable":41,"href":302},[1670],{"href":1671},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14811",[1673,1675,1677,1679,1681],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1674},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14811",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1676},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14811",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1678},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14811",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1680},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14811",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1682},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14811",[1684],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1686,"date":1687,"date_gmt":1688,"guid":1689,"modified":1691,"modified_gmt":1692,"slug":1693,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1694,"title":1695,"content":1697,"excerpt":1699,"author":335,"featured_media":1701,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1702,"categories":1703,"tags":1704,"project_category":1709,"contact_email_category":1710,"yst_prominent_words":1711,"class_list":1716,"better_featured_image":1722,"acf":1746,"yoast_meta":1752,"_links":1755},40839,"2024-03-18T22:34:00","2024-03-18T21:34:00",{"rendered":1690},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=40839&_wpnonce=9f039c0873&status=auto-draft&type=post","2024-06-02T18:39:45","2024-06-02T16:39:45","social-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsocial-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones",{"rendered":1696},"Social Companion Robots: Are Robotic Pets Any Worse Than The Real Ones?",{"rendered":1698,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Social \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-top-12-social-companion-robots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">companion robots\u003C\u002Fa> are getting increasingly popular, more widely used and accepted. This might have happened anyway, but the pandemic accelerated the pace of their “deployment”.  Not so surprising, many social workers have experienced that COVID restrictions took a huge toll on elderly people living alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The loneliness of the ageing population is a known phenomenon. A vast amount of research has found that a significant percentage of people above 65 are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.msdmanuals.com\u002Fprofessional\u002Fgeriatrics\u002Fsocial-issues-in-older-adults\u002Folder-adults-living-alone\" target=\"_blank\">living alone\u003C\u002Fa>, and many of them feel lonely and isolated. Also well proven is the fact that loneliness alone is a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.news-medical.net\u002Fhealth\u002FWhat-are-the-Health-Effects-of-Loneliness.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">health risk\u003C\u002Fa>. Elevated cortisol levels, the physical symptoms caused by the mental strain resulting in more inflammatory diseases, declined immune functions, elevated cardiovascular risks increase mortality as much as would smoking, the lack of exercise or severe obesity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>How to tackle this problem when all social interactions were more or less banned, or at least advised against? Many of the social workers tried to find an answer to this dilemma. Some of them came up with the idea of distributing some kind of robotic companion among their patients. In fact, there were quite a number of initiatives along these lines around the world these past years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FJoy-for-all-tabby-robot-cat-768x466.png\" alt=\"Joy or all robot pet\" class=\"wp-image-40841\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FJoy-for-all-tabby-robot-cat-768x466.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FJoy-for-all-tabby-robot-cat-1536x933.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FJoy-for-all-tabby-robot-cat.png 1779w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tabby cat from Joy for all\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We have seen the NY programs giving out \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.govtech.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fyonkers-aging-office-uses-robopets-to-combat-senior-isolation\" target=\"_blank\">Joy for all robot pets\u003C\u002Fa> to people living alone, Canada experimenting with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8808201\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">robot-comrades\u003C\u002Fa> since the 2016 introduction of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Ftoronto\u002Frobot-alzheimers-1.3696249\" target=\"_blank\">Ludwig\u003C\u002Fa>, and some elderly care facilities in Ireland introducing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irishtimes.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Finnovation\u002Fthe-irish-robot-helping-older-people-live-independently-1.4628719\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie\u003C\u002Fa> to their residents. And we could go on and on with the examples of social robots involved in elderly care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How good is it to have a social robot for your mental health?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The first thing that most likely comes into your mind is that humans need humans to connect with. Trying to substitute personal relationships with a mechanic creature with some form of artificial intelligence must be not right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly though, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Facademic.oup.com\u002Finnovateage\u002Farticle\u002F5\u002FSupplement_1\u002F41\u002F6464889\" target=\"_blank\">research\u003C\u002Fa> after \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flink.springer.com\u002Farticle\u002F10.1007\u002Fs11370-021-00394-3\" target=\"_blank\">research\u003C\u002Fa> finds the same thing: a vast number of lonely people with furry robotic pets, or smiling bulky robotic chat partners consistently report an improvement in their well-being. They understand that the companion is a robot, but find their presence relaxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This raises some interesting questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>But hey, companion robots are just fake!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not surprisingly there are several distinctly different lines of thought about the topic of how to relate to social robots. It ranges from flat-out refusal to optimistic acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The negative attitude is easy to understand. This is just not real. Robotic pets are not real pets, robotic chat partners are not chat partners, robotic companions are fake. And everyone trying to ease the hardships of lonely ageing people with robots is just trying to get out of society’s responsibility of taking good care of the generation of our grandparents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If we look at the topic from this angle – many argue – it is painfully obvious how developed (and ageing) societies fail to maintain the necessary interaction among the generations, and how they let down old people living alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"Stevie the robot helps an elderly patient\" class=\"wp-image-40845\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stevie helps an elderly patient in Ireland\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Are companion robots so much different from pet companions?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But there is another way to look at this, and this is very inspiringly discussed in Kate Darling’s book, the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FNew-Breed-History-Animals-Reveals\u002Fdp\u002F1250296102\" target=\"_blank\">New Breed\u003C\u002Fa>. Among other topics, the book suggests we could examine our relationship with robots in the light of our relationship with pets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The argument is clear, and for me, convincing. It says that when we look at elderly people having animal companions (real ones this time), it is obvious that they are not humans, and cannot provide the same kind of connectedness a human relationship does. Despite this, it is also clear that having a beloved pet does good for elderly people. It improves the quality of their lives, and no one ever would think about suggesting to take them away on the basis that they are not the real thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We are not worried about pets replacing future human relationships, we see them as supplemental. We might anthropomorphize our pets to some extent, and we may also do the same to our robot companions, but we will never mistake them for a real human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You could of course argue that real pets are real, and robotic pets are not real. That is true. But for a large number of seniors, having a real pet is not an option. They might have limited mobility, not allowing them to take a dog outside multiple times a day, or clean the cat’s litter box. Maybe they cannot take the responsibility or the financial burden of a living animal. But they do enjoy the furry, realistic-looking creature being around, reacting to their daily routine and offering them interactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We can look at it as very sad. Or we can look at social robots as many robot pet owners do: with joy for making days less lonely, less depressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Companion \u003Cstrong>Robots can assist some children therapies better than pets or humans\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another great example the book cites is that of children involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) therapy. Many affected kids have serious difficulty in maintaining human interactions, a facet of the problem therapies aim to remedy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A lot of these ASD therapies are repetitive, and involve constantly telling the kids what they do wrong. Scarz lab came up with the idea of using Ellie, a robot head, repeatedly making social mistakes. Instead of an adult telling the kids what they do wrong, the kids are to teach Ellie what she should do, offering a different way to master the skills they need to practise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FRobot-and-child-together-768x315.jpg\" alt=\"robot and child\" class=\"wp-image-40843\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FRobot-and-child-together-768x315.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FRobot-and-child-together.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Robots may assist children in therapies in ways humans cannot\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ellie will make a number of social mistakes, like avoiding eye contact, interrupting the one speaking and so on. The kids are to correct the way Ellie behaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This obviously could not be done with animal therapy: no animal would be able to model these social situations. And maybe not so surprisingly, it also cannot be done involving humans. The researchers tried to do that, they invited friendly actors to make mistakes, and asked the kids to help them. But the same children who were happy to interact with Ellie refused to interact with a nice lady. They saw through the situation and were too deterred to interact with a real person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As adding animals to a number of therapies provided benefits human therapists could not achieve, the same seems to be true for adding robots to some therapies: they can provide assistance neither humans nor pets can offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1700,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As adding animals to a number of therapies provided benefits human therapists could not achieve, the same seems to be true for adding robots to some therapies: they can provide assistance neither humans nor pets can offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",40893,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,231,68,5,448],[1705,1706,1707,1240,1708],6541,7535,7537,1055,[726,462,727],[],[1712,1713,1714,1715,237],2387,2407,1583,2191,[1717,53,84,85,86,87,88,242,243,89,91,476,1718,1719,1720,1264,1721,763,488,764],"post-40839","tag-social-robots","tag-therapeutic-robots","tag-robot-pets","tag-elderly-care",{"id":1701,"alt_text":1723,"caption":64,"description":1724,"media_type":98,"media_details":1725,"post":1686,"source_url":1745},"social robots companion","social robots, social companions, A.I. artificial intelligence",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":1726,"sizes":1727,"image_meta":1744},"2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots.png",{"medium":1728,"large":1731,"thumbnail":1734,"medium_large":1737,"1536x1536":1738,"2048x2048":1741},{"file":1729,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1730},"tmf_social-robots-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots-370x208.png",{"file":1732,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1733},"tmf_social-robots-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots-768x432.png",{"file":1735,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1736},"tmf_social-robots-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots-150x150.png",{"file":1732,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1733},{"file":1739,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1740},"tmf_social-robots-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots-1536x864.png",{"file":1742,"width":369,"height":370,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1743},"tmf_social-robots-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ftmf_social-robots.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1747,"related_posts_footer":1748,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":16},[512,150],[1749,1750,1751],14445,13109,14229,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1753,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1754,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1694},"Social Companion Robots: Robotic pets are not real pets","What do companion robots do? Adding social robots to some therapies: and healthcare situations can provide assistance neither humans nor pets can offer.",{"self":1756,"collection":1761,"about":1763,"author":1765,"replies":1767,"version-history":1770,"predecessor-version":1773,"wp:featuredmedia":1777,"wp:attachment":1780,"wp:term":1783,"curies":1794},[1757],{"href":1758,"targetHints":1759},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F40839",{"allow":1760},[27],[1762],{"href":170},[1764],{"href":173},[1766],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1768],{"embeddable":41,"href":1769},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=40839",[1771],{"count":61,"href":1772},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F40839\u002Frevisions",[1774],{"id":1775,"href":1776},56365,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F40839\u002Frevisions\u002F56365",[1778],{"embeddable":41,"href":1779},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F40893",[1781],{"href":1782},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=40839",[1784,1786,1788,1790,1792],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1785},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=40839",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1787},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=40839",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1789},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=40839",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1791},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=40839",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1793},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=40839",[1795],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1797,"date":1798,"date_gmt":1799,"guid":1800,"modified":1802,"modified_gmt":1803,"slug":1804,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1805,"title":1806,"content":1808,"excerpt":1810,"author":335,"featured_media":1812,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1813,"categories":1814,"tags":1819,"project_category":1824,"contact_email_category":1825,"yst_prominent_words":1826,"class_list":1831,"better_featured_image":1841,"acf":1862,"yoast_meta":1877,"_links":1879},32197,"2023-11-21T10:00:00","2023-11-21T09:00:00",{"rendered":1801},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=32197&_wpnonce=33632050e7&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-11-23T11:57:25","2023-11-23T10:57:25","superhumans","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsuperhumans",{"rendered":1807},"Will We All Have To Become Biologically Enhanced Superhumans?",{"rendered":1809,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Okay, hands up who can tell who’s the most famous biologically enhanced superhuman in the world? True, it’s a quite close call between Captain America and The Incredible Hulk (sorry Spidey, you’re not even close). But are human-invented superhumans just a thing of a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FStan_Lee\" target=\"_blank\">Stan Lee comic\u003C\u002Fa>, or is it an actual scientific idea from a real laboratory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a matter of fact, enhancing human capabilities has been on the minds of people for ages, but it has come a long way from ancient training methods to exoskeletons. Enhancing our abilities, be it permanently or temporarily is a tempting but risky matter. Will it be possible in the not-too-far future to gear up superhuman powers so we don’t lag behind the others? Let’s dive in and see how (and if) we can be our better selves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSuperhero.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21851\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSuperhero.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSuperhero-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSuperhero-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSuperhero-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Superhuman – with the help of technology\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A brief history of human enhancement\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>First, we need to ask what ‘enhancement’ exactly is. Throughout history, the enhancement of humans by various tools from physical addendums (remember \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.primaryancientgreeks.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fdaidalos-ikaros\" target=\"_blank\">Icaros\u003C\u002Fa>?) to drugs (from ferocious Viking “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.historyextra.com\u002Fperiod\u002Fviking\u002Fthe-truth-about-viking-berserkers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">berserkers\u003C\u002Fa>” to the Nazi army or East German swimmers – or many of the cyclists still today), or even love (just google ‘\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FSacred_Band_of_Thebes\" target=\"_blank\">Sacred Band of Thebes\u003C\u002Fa>’) have been on the minds of leaders, military chiefs or inventors alike. Or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=bxiKqA-u8y4&ab_channel=TheSchoolofLife\" target=\"_blank\">philosophers\u003C\u002Fa>, as a matter of fact. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The urge to live forever has not passed with our predecessors, let’s take a look at Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint project with its straightforward goal: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fprotocol.bryanjohnson.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">don’t die\u003C\u002Fa>. Granted, most of us don’t have 30 doctors and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffeatures\u002F2023-01-25\u002Fanti-aging-techniques-taken-to-extreme-by-bryan-johnson?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTY3NDc1MjE5MiwiZXhwIjoxNjc1MzU2OTkyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJSUDFGV0xEV1JHRzQwMSIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJFNUUzM0M0NzlCOTA0MjU2OTRGRTU1NTg5OTQ4N0FBOSJ9.cWlkQxMxDlCY3A2nkIt6Fy2fciMLM0nsY8uS2T7Vhug&sref=nPlhheXZ\" target=\"_blank\">millions of dollars\u003C\u002Fa> to spend on enhancing ourselves in all possible ways. On top of that, I feel a slight contrast between his efforts and the initiative to sell extra virgin olive oil as the omnipotent elixir to the less fortunate. But we can’t deny he has gone the extra mile in every possible way to make the most of what money and science offer today and I truly appreciate the dedication here. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, biological enhancement is a much deeper issue.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The dawn of digital health brought an era of technological advancements and within, the recreation of the human body or body parts or -functions came within reach. It started as a restoration of a certain human function, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.asrs.org\u002Fretina-times\u002Fdetails\u002F131\u002Ffda-approves-world-first-artificial-retina\" target=\"_blank\">eyesight\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.uclhospitals.brc.nihr.ac.uk\u002Fresearch\u002Fprogrammes\u002Fdeafness-hearing-problems\" target=\"_blank\">hearing\u003C\u002Fa>, or the replacement of a missing limb. Technologies like CRISPR gene editing, nanotechnology and even the revolution of wearables and sensors brought new possibilities in human enhancement, and although longevity is still far away for many, living longer and possibly healthier is a de facto case for the human race. (That is, if we survive the climate catastrophe we created.) \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The science of it also has a philosophical backing called \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FTranshumanism\" target=\"_blank\">transhumanism\u003C\u002Fa>; a movement that “\u003Cem>advocates the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies that can greatly enhance longevity and cognition.\u003C\u002Fem>” The concept states that humankind will evolve into a new intelligent species. That is yet to be seen, however: current affairs indicate no such evolution. But \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fuk-scotland-49893869\" target=\"_blank\">transhumanists\u003C\u002Fa> live and\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fcalumchace\u002F2023\u002F02\u002F01\u002Fpioneering-transhumanism-a-conversation-with-natasha-vita-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> strive among us\u003C\u002Fa>. And sometimes episodes of the series \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-our-brains-health-in-black-mirror\" target=\"_blank\">Black Mirror\u003C\u002Fa> have more links to reality than we wish. To know more, read our \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fzoltan-istvan-and-the-jesus-singularity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in-depth interview\u003C\u002Fa> with one of the world’s most influential transhumanists, Zoltan Istvan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F039_blackmirror-1.png\" alt=\"Black Mirror\" class=\"wp-image-22306\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F039_blackmirror-1.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F039_blackmirror-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F039_blackmirror-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F039_blackmirror-1-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is a variety of fields where a superhuman feature could potentially be created. And that will not be the result of a single discipline but of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fobamawhitehouse.archives.gov\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fmicrosites\u002Fostp\u002Fbioecon-%28%23%20023SUPP%29%20NSF-NBIC.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">convergence\u003C\u002Fa> of multiple scientific fields. Currently, these have a restorative focus rather than a developmental one, although each can evolve towards that in the future. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffrom-human-to-cyborg\" target=\"_blank\">In this article\u003C\u002Fa>, we split the possible directions into 3 main categories:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Removable cyborg extensions\u003C\u002Fstrong> – the tools enhancing the individual can easily be put away at the end of use\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Cyborg-humans\u003C\u002Fstrong> – technologies causing lasting, but not irreversible transformation like prosthetic limbs, digital tattoos and bionic implants\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Technologies changing humans forever\u003C\u002Fstrong> – genetic editing (such as CRISPR) is the one that raises the most ethical and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-most-pressing-issues-in-bioethics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">moral questions\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>This time we categorize the possibilities for enhancements horizontally and have a look at 5 fields where human enhancements would be possible.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Brainpower\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A microchip in the brain that will enhance our cognitive functions by a zillion – how we all could use such a thing during exams! The concept was first raised back in 1968 by architect Nicholas Negroponte at MIT, and it has come a long way since. Hacking the human brain is more difficult than we could imagine and cannot be solved with a single microchip implant. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But Elon Musk’s \u003Cem>other\u003C\u002Fem> company, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fneuralink.com\u002Fapproach\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Neuralink\u003C\u002Fa> aims to do just that. The idea is to have a chip implanted in one’s brain; that neural implant will let you control a computer or mobile device anywhere you go. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Musk \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=CLUWDLKAF1M\" target=\"_blank\">presented the pigs with the implants\u003C\u002Fa> and in 2023 the company is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F9\u002F19\u002F23880861\u002Fneuralink-human-clinical-trial-n1-implant\" target=\"_blank\">recruiting human candidates\u003C\u002Fa> with quadriplegia for a six-year clinical trial. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But seeing what Elon Musk did to that poor pig, it did not at all look like the future. We at The Medical Futurist often say that before the digital health transformation, a cultural shift is inevitable. But having a neural implant somehow gives me the creeps – even if it could give me superpowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Brain-computer interface\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With less media hype, Synchron, a company that has developed a minimally invasive brain-computer interface is further along the way. Their implant actually has been working in at least two patients for quite a long time and has now enrolled six patients with severe quadriparesis. The current trial runs in three clinical trial sites in the US. The Synchron implant does not require open brain surgery as it is implanted in the blood vessel on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain via the jugular vein, through a minimally-invasive endovascular procedure. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Brain Implant That Turns Your Thoughts Into Text | Tom Oxley | TED\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F7Fiaew7nDmE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once implanted, it is designed to detect and wirelessly transmit motor intent out of the brain, intended to restore the capability for severely paralysed patients to control personal devices with hands-free point-and-click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers have been investigating the possibilities of brain-computer interfaces or BCIs for quite a while now. At first, these were thought to be tools on one hand to provide constant monitoring of the brain’s electrical activity; this could support a wide range of applications from monitoring epilepsy or ADHD to pain management and sleep assessment. On the other hand, the concept was thought to be a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2020\u002F10\u002Fwhat-brain-computer-interfaces-could-mean-for-the-future-of-work\" target=\"_blank\">solution for paralysed people\u003C\u002Fa> to move and control things around them with only thoughts… Taking it onto the next level, such an implant could also be used as an external hard drive for the mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Enhancing cognitive performance would be able to change the lives of millions suffering from memory loss, and neurological or psychological disorders. Restorative processes like stroke rehabilitation would also gain from the technology. Or, as a matter of fact, these can help reduce the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiersin.org\u002Farticles\u002F10.3389\u002Ffnins.2020.00692\u002Ffull\" target=\"_blank\">cognitive effects of ageing\u003C\u002Fa>. No wonder there are many studies that focus on the possibilities such technology can provide \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7339951\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">for seniors\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Muscle strength and robotic exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is a huge cultural acceptance issue with technological solutions for restoration vs. tech for boosting performance. According to a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.scientificamerican.com\u002Fobservations\u002Fwhat-americans-think-of-human-enhancement-technologies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">study on the matter\u003C\u002Fa>, the public almost unanimously agrees with technological enhancement if it’s used for restorative purposes: 95% support physical restorative applications, and 88% support cognitive restorative applications. But when it comes to the enhancement of human capabilities for the reason of boosting performance – well, that’s a big no-no, according to the study. Only 35% of respondents agree with the concept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paralysed Man Completes London Marathon 2018\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FaB0pfAL6MdU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic exoskeletons are also becoming more and more common. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Ftopics\u002Fengineering\u002Fexoskeleton-robotics\" target=\"_blank\">Paralyzed\u003C\u002Fa> people or those who lost a limb have now the chance to move again with such technological advancements. Certain industries like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdozr.com\u002Fblog\u002Fconstruction-exoskeletons\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">construction\u003C\u002Fa> also make use of the extra power robotics can give. The next step will be the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-prosthetics-depends-on-a-i\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">AI-powered prosthesis\u003C\u002Fa>; or ones that can supplement healthy individuals with additional limbs. Not to mention a future where we \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FWTdfTupF7fs\" target=\"_blank\">share bodies and senses\u003C\u002Fa> with machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But what are advanced technologies worth if only the wealthiest can afford them? That has been the case with many exoskeletons therefore it’s so great to see \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Frewalk-robotics-announces-solidified-medicare-coverage-for-personal-exoskeleton\u002F\">more and more covered by health insurance\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2023 October ReWalk Robotics, Inc. announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule benefitting its exoskeleton technology. “Earlier this year, CMS released a proposal aiming to establish new regulatory definition of “brace.” Adding the definition of brace would expedite coverage and payment for newer technology and powered devices, according to CMS. This potentially enables faster access to the newer technologies, like those made by ReWalk and Myomo as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The new CMS proposal includes personal exoskeletons in the Medicare benefit category for braces meaning that benefits would extend to exoskeletons which allow paralyzed patients to stand and walk. This follows a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fexoskeletons-qualify-for-direct-disability-compensation-in-germany\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">similar announcement from Germany\u003C\u002Fa> from 2022. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Enhancing the senses\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What if technology could aid humans to have better hearing than bats? What if we could filter out the smell of urban decay and only experience pleasant odours? Or what if implants could let us see microscopic objects? Or special features, such as the heat map of an abandoned terrain? These questions led us to list how technology could help augment human senses in our previous article. One exciting example of this was the AI-supported hearing aid presented at the 2021 CES. This device features an onboard deep neural network that gives people with hearing loss a better experience. And there are many more examples of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Supercharging human senses with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Fglasses-provide-audible-prompts-for-blind-wearers.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">technology for the blind\u003C\u002Fa> or the deaf are entirely feasible enhancements. When a person loses a sense, the area of the brain that was responsible for handling that sensory information does not go unused. The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.jneurosci.org\u002Fcontent\u002F32\u002F28\u002F9626.abstract?sid=554f9c9c-ec7e-4c33-87a0-3f2416e52e24\" target=\"_blank\">brain rewires itself\u003C\u002Fa> and uses that area to process other senses. This is \u003Cem>neuroplasticity\u003C\u002Fem>, the ability of the brain to change with experience. Researchers “just” need to find out how to use this natural superpower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Temporary or long-term sensory enhancements are also not limited to the ones with certain disabilities: the technology goes beyond that. In the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flink.springer.com\u002Freferenceworkentry\u002F10.1007%2F978-94-007-4707-4_106\" target=\"_blank\">Handbook of Neuroethics\u003C\u002Fa>, the authors explain that the enhancement tools “\u003Cem>could be implemented in mainly two ways: either via the application of digital technology or by genetic engineering of the human body\u003C\u002Fem>.” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ericsson.com\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002F2018\u002F7\u002Faugmented-reality-gives-us-super-human-abilities-and-a-sixth-sense\" target=\"_blank\">Augmented reality\u003C\u002Fa> just takes this realm a step further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-minute Challenge: Augmented Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FxUaBrgsHkPs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Augmented reality is not only \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faugmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">revolutionary\u003C\u002Fa> but can also give us real superpowers. It is one of the most promising digital health technologies, from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.timesofisrael.com\u002Fin-global-first-shaare-zedek-spine-surgeon-combines-augmented-reality-with-robotics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">operations\u003C\u002Fa> to providing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FWg6jN-audEM\" target=\"_blank\">information\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FPzPKdlFbvYM\" target=\"_blank\">education\u003C\u002Fa>. Heightened capabilities of our vision by AR, VR, digital contact lenses or even retina chips have been bugging the minds of researchers for the past decade. And although many of the concepts \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffrom-theranos-to-google-glass-the-biggest-flops-in-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">have failed\u003C\u002Fa> (remember Google’s glass or glucose-level measuring contact lenses?), these flops don’t necessarily mean the concepts are wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Genetic engineering – a brave new world?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A lot of research is underway in gene therapies. CRISPR editing was a huge step in this direction. While its original vision, to serve as a tool offering \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F07\u002F1069475\u002Fforget-designer-babies-heres-how-crispr-is-really-changing-lives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gene therapies for patients\u003C\u002Fa> is noble and just, there is a significant, primarily moral and ethical resistance against the method. For example, researchers in Oxford’s Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ox.ac.uk\u002Fresearch\u002Fresearch-impact\u002Frestoring-sight-gene-therapy\" target=\"_blank\">help restore eyesight\u003C\u002Fa> to patients with genetic vision defects with gene therapy, which seems acceptable as a method; while genetic engineering \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fnuffieldbioethics.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">on an embryo-level\u003C\u002Fa> is more of a moral issue than a scientific one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While CRISPR therapies are still considered experimental, and none have been approved, and some even have been unsuccessful, we’ve also seen \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F10\u002F1069619\u002Fmore-than-200-people-treated-with-experimental-crispr-therapies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">some success stories\u003C\u002Fa> and several \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2023\u002F10\u002F25\u002F1082306\u002Fgene-editing-crispr-hiv-experiment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">creepier announcements\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Editing DNA can become a powerful tool in the diagnosis and the treatment of diseases. The European Union is trying to add the ethical component on the first level of its scientific programme in the genetic engineering leg of its human enhancement project. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsienna-project.eu\u002Fgenomics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Sienna\u003C\u002Fa>, and other such organisations and projects also raise and include ethical issues in their projects. However, with such technologies becoming more available, cases like the creation of first \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fhow-a-chinese-scientist-broke-the-rules-to-create-the-first-gene-edited-babies-11557506697\" target=\"_blank\">designer babies in China\u003C\u002Fa> appear. After this scandal, the WHO launched a global registry to track research on human genome editing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Transhumanists predict that with the convergence of new technologies in science, we could create healthier, smarter and stronger humans. They think it’s our duty to evolve into something beyond ourselves. But as much as I love science, my idea of a happier life does not begin with being faster and stronger. It begins with the core values of humankind: empathy, tolerance and kindness. And if we can cure something or someone with the help of science, we should do that. But my brave new world shall not take place in \u003Cem>Gattaca\u003C\u002Fem>. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Read more about these concepts in my book \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMy-Health-Revolutionary-Technologies-Healthier\u002Fdp\u002F6158026107\" target=\"_blank\">My Health Upgraded\u003C\u002Fa>, elaborating on where health care and medicine is heading in the future. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMy-Health-Revolutionary-Technologies-Healthier\u002Fdp\u002F6158026107\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F05\u002Flive-better-with-technology-myhealthupgraded-promo-768x350.png\" alt=\"Live better using technology - Buy My Health Upgraded\" class=\"wp-image-13211\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F05\u002Flive-better-with-technology-myhealthupgraded-promo-768x350.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F05\u002Flive-better-with-technology-myhealthupgraded-promo-512x233.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F05\u002Flive-better-with-technology-myhealthupgraded-promo.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Get it on Amazon\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1811,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Enhancing human capabilities has been on the mind of people for ages, but superhumans came a long way from ancient training methods to exoskeletons. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",32183,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1815,231,1376,447,1816,68,702,703,1817,1818,1481,704,5,448,707],6261,500,488,496,[1820,1821,1822,73,1823],1120,1332,6525,639,[726,728],[],[1827,1828,239,735,595,1829,466,468,1830],2329,2541,1681,2215,[1832,53,84,85,86,87,88,1833,243,1386,475,1834,89,741,742,1835,1836,1500,743,91,476,746,1837,1838,1839,94,1840,763,765],"post-32197","category-forecast","category-biotechnology","category-genomics","category-health-sensors-trackers","tag-bci","tag-transhumanism","tag-neuralink","tag-brain-computer-interface",{"id":1812,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1842,"media_type":98,"media_details":1843,"post":1860,"source_url":1861},"Becoming superhuman ",{"width":100,"height":101,"file":1844,"sizes":1845,"image_meta":1859},"2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01.png",{"medium":1846,"large":1849,"thumbnail":1852,"medium_large":1855,"1536x1536":1856},{"file":1847,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1848},"tmf_article_236-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-370x208.png",{"file":1850,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1851},"tmf_article_236-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-768x432.png",{"file":1853,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1854},"tmf_article_236-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-150x150.png",{"file":1850,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1851},{"file":1857,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1858},"tmf_article_236-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},32095,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_posts_footer":1863,"related_posts":16,"related_books":1867,"key_takeaways":1870},[1864,1865,1866],53187,52933,53089,[1303,1868,1869],24764,24761,[1871,1873,1875],{"title":1872},"\u003Cp>Human enhancement has evolved from ancient methods to advanced technologies like exoskeletons and genetic editing, blurring the lines between science fiction and reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1874},"\u003Cp>Current advancements in human enhancement, such as brain-computer interfaces and sensory augmentation, promise to revolutionize not just health but everyday human capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1876},"\u003Cp>The ethical and philosophical considerations of human enhancement, especially in transhumanism, highlight the need to balance technological progress with fundamental human values and moral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1807,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1878,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1805},"Enhancing human capabilities has been on the mind of people for ages, but superhumans came a long way from ancient training methods to exoskeletons.",{"self":1880,"collection":1885,"about":1887,"author":1889,"replies":1891,"version-history":1894,"predecessor-version":1898,"wp:featuredmedia":1902,"wp:attachment":1905,"wp:term":1908,"curies":1919},[1881],{"href":1882,"targetHints":1883},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197",{"allow":1884},[27],[1886],{"href":170},[1888],{"href":173},[1890],{"embeddable":41,"href":397},[1892],{"embeddable":41,"href":1893},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=32197",[1895],{"count":1896,"href":1897},45,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197\u002Frevisions",[1899],{"id":1900,"href":1901},53721,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197\u002Frevisions\u002F53721",[1903],{"embeddable":41,"href":1904},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F32183",[1906],{"href":1907},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=32197",[1909,1911,1913,1915,1917],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1910},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=32197",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":1912},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=32197",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":1914},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=32197",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":1916},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=32197",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":1918},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=32197",[1920],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":791,"date":1922,"date_gmt":1923,"guid":1924,"modified":1926,"modified_gmt":1927,"slug":1928,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1929,"title":1930,"content":1932,"excerpt":1934,"author":61,"featured_media":1936,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1937,"categories":1938,"tags":1941,"project_category":1954,"contact_email_category":1955,"yst_prominent_words":1956,"class_list":1962,"better_featured_image":1978,"acf":1998,"yoast_meta":2002,"_links":2005},"2023-09-19T10:00:00","2023-09-19T08:00:00",{"rendered":1925},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=34179&_wpnonce=c515b17ba8&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-09-18T07:53:36","2023-09-18T05:53:36","digital-health-technologies","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-technologies",{"rendered":1931},"Digital Health Technologies That Are Too Futuristic To Be In Practice Now (If Ever)",{"rendered":1933,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>An oncologist administering nanorobots that swim through a patient’s bloodstream to deliver drugs in a highly targeted way. A person on a specific diet scanning their meal with a single device to reveal all of its major nutritional elements. A clinic’s transplant department 3D-printing whole organs. These are scenarios that sound like snippets extracted from a science-fiction novel. But these are digital health technologies that we will have to get used to in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Nanorobots\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-food-the-food-of-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">food scanners\u003C\u002Fa>, and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa> are all existing digital health technologies that we’ve reported on The Medical Futurist. However, they are in the “too futuristic” category (even for The Medical Futurist!) as the future when they will be commonplace is several decades away and is something we might not even be around to experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They are too futuristic not only because the underlying technology is still in its infancy, but also because the digital health field faces several challenges that must be overcome before addressing those technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here we contemplate some of these too-futuristic digital health technologies that won’t get in the doctor’s room or in a patient’s home any time soon, how far off in the future they are, and what needs to happen before we get to see them in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Those distant digital health technologies\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We often come across exciting digital health technologies that compel us to dive into the subject and present an article about it. At other times, we get the opportunity to review relevant products too. But over the years, some of those technologies have stagnated, with no significant developments even from major players in the respective field. Let’s take 5 examples to illustrate these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Food scanners\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A couple of years ago, we had the opportunity to test Nima’s food scanners. The Silicon Valley-based company released two portable scanners: a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftesting-food-gluten-home-nima-sensor-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">gluten sensor\u003C\u002Fa> and a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffighting-against-a-small-enemy-the-nima-peanut-sensor-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">peanut sensor\u003C\u002Fa>. These enabled the user to scan for that respective content in a food sample on the spot. During our tests for those devices, we found them to be accurate and very practical to use. More importantly, such accuracy and convenience of use can literally prove to be life-saving for those suffering from food allergies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I Tested Food For Gluten At Home With The Nima Sensor - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fm8glmjXPAlk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But since our review in 2018, Nima hasn’t released any new products, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fnima-labs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">was acquired\u003C\u002Fa> by a medical device company in 2020 and after a while they went completely silent, rendering these devices useless without \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodforyouglutenfree.com\u002Fnima-sensor-out-of-business\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">test capsules\u003C\u002Fa>. While their technology was indeed disruptive, the devices were limited to scanning single components. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, there are patients suffering from more food allergies such as egg, soy or lactose who would benefit from such devices; or ideally, a single scanner that could detect multiple food elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies that entered the consumer market with food scanners of their own did not fare any better. SCio, whose handheld device could scan food and analyse its chemical constituents, shifted focus towards the farming industry rather than improving its existing product. TellSpec stopped issuing press releases in 2018 and failed to deliver the handheld food scanner \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.indiegogo.com\u002Fprojects\u002Ftellspec-what-s-in-your-food#\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">backed by 1700+ people on Indiegogo\u003C\u002Fa>, and also seems to have failed to refund the donations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future will we have omnipotent food scanners?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The technology has been around for around a decade and some consumer products are\u002Fwere already on the market. But their uses are\u002Fwere limited as is the number of players in the field. We should expect to see more scanners in the next decade or so but still with limited uses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Nanorobots\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, we released an article dedicated to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nanotechnology in medicine\u003C\u002Fa>. In it, we shared examples like “nanoswimmers” developed by researchers that could pave the way for programmed drug delivery. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4 Ways Nanotechnology Will Change Our Lives\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fdn2UjBIsrcI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, practically all of the nanorobots came from research labs with more proof-of-concepts than practical applications. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.snexplores.org\u002Farticle\u002Fnanobots-can-now-enter-brain-cells-to-spy-on-what-theyre-doing\" target=\"_blank\">Recent news\u003C\u002Fa> around \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femag.medicalexpo.com\u002Fnanorobotics-in-neurology-tiny-movements-towards-major-change\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the technology\u003C\u002Fa> still \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41467-023-40300-2\" target=\"_blank\">revolves around\u003C\u002Fa> the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41565-023-01471-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">theoretical\u002Fconceptual aspects\u003C\u002Fa>. But this is how digital health technologies often evolve: from conceptual stages in labs, through various iterations and testing stages before rolling out to a wider audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We’re still at the dawn of nanotechnology in medicine, but it doesn’t mean we won’t ever see it in practice. In the coming years, we will likely hear about more developments in the field. But to see those in regular practice, we’re looking at 4 or more decades down the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. One-drop blood tests\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This one will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Theranos’ investors. The startup amassed millions in investments following its promise to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F02\u002Felizabeth-holmes-theranos\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">run 30 lab tests on a single drop of blood\u003C\u002Fa>. This eventually turned out \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-does-blood-testing-stand-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">to be a scam\u003C\u002Fa>, but if you dial down expectations, several tests can be conducted on smaller blood samples instead of a single blood drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-768x432.gif\" alt=\"Digital Health Technologies: Blood testing\" class=\"wp-image-22249\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-768x432.gif 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-370x208.gif 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-1536x864.gif 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-512x288.gif 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, from a small blood volume, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genalyte.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Genalyte’s technology\u003C\u002Fa> can run multiple, simultaneous, rapid tests and output a result within 30 minutes. Similarly, from a single blood sample that can potentially \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightingalehealth.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnightingale-health-rolls-out-remote-blood-collection-kit-for-medical-research-and-clinical-trials\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">be collected \u003C\u002Fa>at home, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightingalehealth.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F?\" target=\"_blank\">Nightingale\u003C\u002Fa> can analyse numerous biomarkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unless researchers devise an accurate way to amplify the volume of blood from a drop-sized initial sample or accurately perform tests on a single drop, we won’t see the coveted “one drop blood test”. It’s safer to bet on “small sample blood tests” in this case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Nutrigenomics\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nutrigenomics aims to understand how specific humans react differently to specific nutrients due to their individual genetic characteristics, and how we can utilise this knowledge for each individual. In simpler terms: a promise of an advancement that can provide you with scientifically backed data on what, how and when you should eat and what to avoid – based on your DNA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However fascinating, a science-backed nutrigenomics test I could finally lay my hands on is THE digital health technology I have been waiting for the longest and still had no chance to try. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"nutrigenomics\" class=\"wp-image-48473\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We discussed the main reasons for the slow progress \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-is-nutrigenomics-the-biggest-flop-in-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in this article\u003C\u002Fa> in great detail, so let’s just summarize the headlines here. We listed these four main reasons: 1. It is extremely challenging to learn nutritionally guiding principles from genetic tests, 2. Pricing will be very tricky, 3. Nutrigenomics will not offer easy fixes for fast results, and 4. All you see is bogus, fake science everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of course, we are not giving up hope to be among the first ones to test a reliably working, accessible, DTC nutrigenomics test. It is quite tricky to forecast when this will happen. The technology seems to be available, however, there hasn’t been a single company that could deliver a viable product. While this time arrives, I will figuratively put nutrigenomics on my shelf of flops, right next to my – very solid – 3D printed cast. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Contact lenses for detecting blood glucose\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Back in 2014, Google \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fpatentbolt.com\u002F2014\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-takes-their-google-glass-vision-to-smart-contact-lenses.html\" target=\"_blank\">submitted a patent\u003C\u002Fa> to the US Patent & Trademark Office that described a digital, multi-sensor contact lens for detecting blinking, with benefits like turning the page of an e-book with a “blink of an eye”. Later, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FGoogle_Contact_Lens\" target=\"_blank\">more details\u003C\u002Fa> about the idea emerged, revealing a much more transformative use for the contact lens – measuring blood glucose from tears. It was one of the most groundbreaking, futuristic, and promising projects in digital health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, \u003Cstrong>in November 2018, it turned out irrevocably that the project for manufacturing these contact lenses had failed. Alphabet’s company, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2018-11-16\u002Falphabet-s-verily-halts-diabetes-detecting-contact-lens-project\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Verily Life Sciences halted one of its longest-running projects with this announcement\u003C\u002Fa>. The company said that the reason for shutting down the initiative was that it couldn’t get the experimental lens, which measures glucose in tears, to deliver assessments of blood glucose with enough consistency to be used as a medical device\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Although we somewhat expected the disappointing news as there was no word about the undertaking for months, we still had a pinch of hope around the research. All-in-all, the initiative proved to be too much science fiction to be realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Smart contact lenses seem to surface in the news every now and then, with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F230309082623.htm\">various use cases\u003C\u002Fa> and development directions, but some of the most serious players \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F1\u002F7\u002F23543224\u002Fmojo-vision-smart-contact-lens-microled\" target=\"_blank\">shift their focus\u003C\u002Fa> and give up on the concept. Commercially available smart contact lenses with advanced medical assessment capacities are still at least five years away. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future path to everyday practice\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It might seem like it’s just a matter of time before we see such digital health technologies in practice. However, some promising and available technologies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-are-3d-printed-casts\u002F\">3D-\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-are-3d-printed-casts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">printed casts\u003C\u002Fa> with their many advantages aren’t adopted due to several factors from the lack of scientific backing to their manufacturing cost. Others fail to take off because some companies, like Theranos and blood testing, set a negative precedent \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-ventures-that-flew-too-close-to-the-sun\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">at the expense of promising technologies\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But in reality, even if the polished versions were available now, they might not even be adopted. This is because digital health still has several challenges to address before even considering how to integrate those futuristic digital health technologies into everyday practice. How can we talk about nanorobots if we can’t easily access and download our own medical records from a healthcare institution? How can we get patients to use food scanners if it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">took a pandemic\u003C\u002Fa> to get them to adopt telemedicine? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many researchers and startups can come up with amazing engineering solutions, but those are further ahead of the line. They don’t address real-life patient, physician or policymaker needs, and thus those will not be used in practice; at least for now. From the need for a cultural transformation to understanding the implications of digital health, those are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flongevity-is-the-future-if-we-tackle-digital-health-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">some of the many issues\u003C\u002Fa> that stakeholders in the field need to address first. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunno\u003C\u002Fem>o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1935,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>An oncologist administering nanorobots that swim through a patient’s bloodstream to deliver drugs in a highly targeted way. A person on a specific diet scanning their meal with a single device to reveal all of its major nutritional elements. A clinic’s transplant department 3D-printing whole organs. These are scenarios that sound like snippets extracted from a science-fiction novel. But these are digital health technologies that we will have to get used to in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",34231,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1816,702,703,1939,69,1818,1940,5,448],510,507,[1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,871,1947,1231,720,1948,1949,1124,1950,711,1951,1952,1953],851,7009,7011,7013,7015,7017,7019,153,5045,202,550,236,[875,876,725,728],[],[78,1957,79,468,345,1958,1495,1496,735,1959,595,1829,1960,1613,1961],5445,2973,4403,5411,5425,[1963,53,84,85,86,87,88,1834,741,742,1964,90,1836,1965,91,476,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,897,1971,1255,758,1972,1973,1142,1974,749,1975,1976,1977,900,901,762,765],"post-34179","category-future-of-food","category-nanotechnology","tag-nima","tag-food-scanners","tag-nanobots","tag-gluten-sensor","tag-tellspec","tag-scio","tag-genalyte","tag-biotechnology-2","tag-nightingale","tag-device","tag-theranos","tag-fda-2",{"id":1936,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":98,"media_details":1979,"post":1996,"source_url":1997},{"width":100,"height":101,"file":1980,"sizes":1981,"image_meta":1995},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01.png",{"medium":1982,"large":1985,"thumbnail":1988,"medium_large":1991,"1536x1536":1992},{"file":1983,"width":132,"height":133,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1984},"tmf_article_262_C-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-370x208.png",{"file":1986,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1987},"tmf_article_262_C-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-768x432.png",{"file":1989,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1990},"tmf_article_262_C-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-150x150.png",{"file":1986,"width":135,"height":136,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1987},{"file":1993,"width":261,"height":262,"mime-type":108,"source_url":1994},"tmf_article_262_C-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":141,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":141,"copyright":64,"focal_length":141,"iso":141,"shutter_speed":141,"title":64,"orientation":141},34225,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01.png",{"cta_type":146,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1999,"related_posts_footer":2000,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":16},[789,512],[792,793,2001],33895,{"yoast_wpseo_title":2003,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":2004,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1929},"Digital Health Technologies That Are Too Futuristic - The Medical Futurist","Digital Health Technologies: Some digital health technologies sound great but they are just too far away from everyday practice. See the list.",{"self":2006,"collection":2011,"about":2013,"author":2015,"replies":2017,"version-history":2020,"predecessor-version":2024,"wp:featuredmedia":2028,"wp:attachment":2031,"wp:term":2034,"curies":2045},[2007],{"href":2008,"targetHints":2009},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179",{"allow":2010},[27],[2012],{"href":170},[2014],{"href":173},[2016],{"embeddable":41,"href":176},[2018],{"embeddable":41,"href":2019},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34179",[2021],{"count":2022,"href":2023},37,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179\u002Frevisions",[2025],{"id":2026,"href":2027},52565,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179\u002Frevisions\u002F52565",[2029],{"embeddable":41,"href":2030},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34231",[2032],{"href":2033},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34179",[2035,2037,2039,2041,2043],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":2036},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34179",{"taxonomy":198,"embeddable":41,"href":2038},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34179",{"taxonomy":201,"embeddable":41,"href":2040},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34179",{"taxonomy":204,"embeddable":41,"href":2042},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34179",{"taxonomy":207,"embeddable":41,"href":2044},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34179",[2046],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},[],[],1787036474804]