[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":2068},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-virtual-reality":3},{"category":4,"posts":42,"featured":2066,"ebooks":2067},{"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},514,39,"Virtual reality devices let users dive into the virtual world by giving them a 3D, 360 degrees view of a projected digital scenery. This technology could make remote medical examinations possible, preserve the human touch of a doctor even across thousands of kilometers, and help medical students simulate procedures accurately.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fvirtual-reality\u002F","Virtual Reality","virtual-reality","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16},"25",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-scaled.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":19,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":20},"Virtual Reality in Medicine: The Latest News - The Medical Futurist","Virtual Reality in Medicine: Virtual reality could make remote medical examinations possible & help medical students simulate procedures",{"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\u002F514",{"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=514",[38],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[43,212,309,485,620,710,844,1007,1108,1220,1344,1468,1576,1700,1830,1955],{"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":79,"contact_email_category":81,"yst_prominent_words":82,"class_list":89,"better_featured_image":108,"acf":146,"yoast_meta":161,"_links":163},49447,"2026-07-27T15:11:42","2026-07-27T13:11:42",{"rendered":48},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=49447&_wpnonce=4178d1c6cd&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-07-27T15:11:53","2026-07-27T13:11:53","6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality",{"rendered":56},"6 Healthcare Examples Of Virtual, Augmented And Mixed Reality",{"rendered":58,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Lately, there has been a tendency in the tech world to adopt “new” realities in their midst. Meta has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesindustry.biz\u002Farticles\u002F2021-12-03-oculus-quest-to-rebrand-as-meta-quest-in-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a branch dedicated\u003C\u002Fa> to developing virtual reality (VR) hardware and software; earlier this year \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F1\u002F5\u002F23539328\u002Fhtc-vive-xr-elite-ar-vr-headset-pricing-launch-date-ces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HTC unveiled\u003C\u002Fa> its new augmented reality (AR) glasses; while Apple is reportedly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F1\u002F17\u002F23560097\u002Fapple-ar-vr-glasses-headset-rumor-mixed-reality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gearing up to launch\u003C\u002Fa> a mixed reality (MR) headset. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Collectively, VR, AR and MR fall under the umbrella term of extended reality (XR), which \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goldmansachs.com\u002Finsights\u002Fpages\u002Fvirtual-and-augmented-reality-report.html\" target=\"_blank\">analysts believe\u003C\u002Fa> holds the potential to be the next major computing platform. Such potentials have spillover effects into the medical field through digital health approaches, and healthcare practice is already adopting such XR approaches. We’ll take a look at examples of each, but first, let’s get acquainted with those “new realities” through the following:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes table table-striped table-bordered table-sm\">\u003Ctable>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">\u003Cstrong>Term\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">\u003Cstrong>What it does\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Virtual Reality (VR)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Completely shields the physical world from the user and immerses them in an interactive virtual environment\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Augmented Reality (AR)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Superimposes the physical environment with virtual elements that have limited interaction \u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mixed Reality (MR)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Merges aspects from both VR and AR to incorporate virtual elements into the physical world with a wide range of interaction\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Extended Reality (XR)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">An umbrella term for technologies including VR, AR and MR\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Virtual reality: complete immersion for exposure therapy and pain management\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Virtual reality might be the most popular form of XR as it has been popularised by the likes of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F4-examples-of-merging-gaming-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gaming industry\u003C\u002Fa>. Traditionally, the technology is accessed through a dedicated headset that completely shields the wearer’s view and immerses them in a virtual world.\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\u003Cp>The immersiveness that VR offers has made it an appropriate fit as a drug-free alternative for mental health care and pain management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the case of mental health, more specifically anxiety disorders, VR exposure therapy (VRET) –  which involves gradual exposure of a patient to an anxiety-inducing stimulus – has gained traction. Researchers found the approach \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F30892564\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can be effective\u003C\u002Fa> while also offering the potential for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8742249\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">remote mental health access\u003C\u002Fa>, and thereby increasing accessibility. Already, companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ovrcome.io\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oVRcome\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psylaris.com\u002Fen\u002Fexposure\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psylaris\u003C\u002Fa> offer commercially-available VRET.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>VR has also been explored to reduce pain in labour and delivery by having the user visualise breathing and relaxation techniques. A study utilising such a method found that women who used VR during labour had \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ajog.org\u002Farticle\u002FS0002-9378(19)31425-5\u002Ffulltext\" target=\"_blank\">a statistically significant reduction\u003C\u002Fa> in pain. In subsequent studies, researchers \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS187757562200026X\" target=\"_blank\">found similar benefits\u003C\u002Fa> of VR-aided labour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Augmented reality: virtual elements for patient education and aiding surgery\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There might also be some familiarity with augmented reality as it is the technology employed behind the much-hyped Pokémon Go as well as Snapchat filters. AR can be accessed through a screen, which can be a smartphone or even glasses, that superimposes virtual elements onto the real world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While the technology is still maturing, AR already has some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faugmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">promising use cases in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. In fact, despite the budding aspect of the technology, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0738399122000982\" target=\"_blank\">researchers identified \u003C\u002Fa>the technology as potentially beneficial in patient education, whether it’s for nutritional or pre-operative information. UK-based company \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuturistic-forward-looking-and-fun-the-curiscope-virtuali-tee-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Curiscope\u003C\u002Fa> already manufactures commercially-available AR t-shirts that provide basic anatomy information.\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=\"My Organs In Augmented Reality! - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FVXBks60oKw4?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>AR has also been put into practice on the surgical table itself. Neurosurgeons at Johns Hopkins University performed their first \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclinicalconnection.hopkinsmedicine.org\u002Fnews\u002Fjohns-hopkins-performs-its-first-augmented-reality-surgeries-in-patients\" target=\"_blank\">AR-assisted spinal fusion surgery\u003C\u002Fa> in 2020. Using a headset developed by Augmedics, surgeons could visualise CT scans of the patient’s internal anatomy without having to look at a separate screen. A similar procedure with the technology \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" 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\">was successfully completed\u003C\u002Fa> in December 2022 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Mixed reality: training future doctors and assisting in hands-free medical consultations\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When it comes to mixed reality, there are some overlaps with AR as it also supplements the actual world with virtual elements akin to holograms. But MR differs in that it adds an additional layer of depth and perspective to its virtual elements that enable further interactions that are not possible through AR. MR use has largely remained in the realm of industries – rather than for the general consumer – through devices such as the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmixed-reality-healthcare-hololens-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Microsoft Hololens\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.magicleap.com\u002Fen-us\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Magic Leap\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The former device has been adopted by Case Western Reserve University for several years in anatomy lessons. Accessed through the Hololens, their HoloAnatomy app enables students to view holograms of real body parts. The technology enabled first-year medical students to follow an all-remote anatomy course during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newswise.com\u002Farticles\u002Fglobal-first-in-mixed-reality-education-during-covid-19-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\">preferred this mode\u003C\u002Fa> as well as believed such MR methods can effectively teach anatomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Amidst the public health crisis, the Hololens was also put to use by doctors at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Physicians at the Trust \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Fen-gb\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F19\u002Fimperial-college-healthcare-nhs-trust-uses-microsoft-hololens-to-protect-doctors-and-reduce-need-for-ppe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">employed the MR headset\u003C\u002Fa> to hold hands-free conversations with colleagues and patients while viewing medical notes and X-rays for clinical decision-making.\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=\"Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust uses mixed reality in the fight against COVID-19\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F8BvQVxB5CBE?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 these examples helped illustrate the potential of XR technology in healthcare. Note that these were only 6 of the multitude of potential and implemented applications, and many more are expected to emerge in the near future. Are there any XR applications in healthcare that piqued your interest and weren’t featured in this article? 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\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":60,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Virtual, augmented and mixed reality all fall under the umbrella term of extended reality, and all are finding their way into healthcare. Let’s get acquainted with those “new realities” through examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,49459,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,5],7079,493,[71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78],527,724,7771,1066,1270,145,445,450,[80],950,[],[83,84,85,86,87,88],3215,1559,1725,1731,1853,2303,[90,53,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107],"post-49447","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","category-augmented-reality","category-virtual-reality","tag-ar","tag-mixed-reality","tag-extended-reality","tag-mr","tag-xr","tag-augmented-reality-2","tag-virtual-reality","tag-vr","project_category-medical-professionals",{"id":62,"alt_text":109,"caption":64,"description":109,"media_type":110,"media_details":111,"post":44,"source_url":145},"tmf VR AR MR virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, woman, headset, organ, heart","image",{"width":112,"height":113,"file":114,"filesize":115,"sizes":116,"image_meta":142},6667,3750,"2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01.png",1034404,{"medium":117,"large":124,"thumbnail":130,"medium_large":135,"1536x1536":136},{"file":118,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"filesize":122,"source_url":123},"tmf_article_354-01-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng",35128,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-370x208.png",{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},"tmf_article_354-01-768x432.png",768,432,90942,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-768x432.png",{"file":131,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"filesize":133,"source_url":134},"tmf_article_354-01-150x150.png",150,18566,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-150x150.png",{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},{"file":137,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":121,"filesize":140,"source_url":141},"tmf_article_354-01-1536x864.png",1536,864,224032,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":144},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":148,"related_posts_footer":152,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":156},"subscribe",[149,150,151],24759,24761,30419,[153,154,155],48979,48665,49015,[157,159],{"title":158},"\u003Cp>Collectively, VR, AR and MR fall under the umbrella term of extended reality (XR), which analysts believe holds the potential to be the next major computing platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":160},"\u003Cp>Such potentials have spillover effects into the medical field through digital health approaches, and healthcare practice is already adopting such XR approaches. We’ll take a look at examples of each!\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":56,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":162,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":54},"Virtual, augmented and mixed reality are parts of extended reality. Let’s get friends with “new realities”, as their healthcare use is around the corner.",{"self":164,"collection":169,"about":172,"author":175,"replies":178,"version-history":181,"predecessor-version":185,"wp:featuredmedia":189,"wp:attachment":192,"wp:term":195,"curies":210},[165],{"href":166,"targetHints":167},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F49447",{"allow":168},[27],[170],{"href":171},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[173],{"href":174},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[176],{"embeddable":41,"href":177},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[179],{"embeddable":41,"href":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=49447",[182],{"count":183,"href":184},12,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F49447\u002Frevisions",[186],{"id":187,"href":188},61037,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F49447\u002Frevisions\u002F61037",[190],{"embeddable":41,"href":191},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49459",[193],{"href":194},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=49447",[196,198,201,204,207],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":197},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=49447",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":200},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=49447",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":203},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=49447",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":206},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=49447",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":209},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=49447",[211],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":213,"date":214,"date_gmt":215,"guid":216,"modified":218,"modified_gmt":219,"slug":220,"status":52,"type":53,"link":221,"title":222,"content":224,"excerpt":226,"author":61,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":228,"categories":229,"tags":234,"project_category":235,"contact_email_category":236,"yst_prominent_words":237,"class_list":242,"better_featured_image":248,"acf":258,"yoast_meta":266,"_links":268},59685,"2025-12-12T10:00:00","2025-12-12T09:00:00",{"rendered":217},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=59685&_wpnonce=d62e37b5ad&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-12-11T13:47:40","2025-12-11T12:47:40","smart-glasses-in-healthcare-the-current-state-and-future-potentials","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsmart-glasses-in-healthcare-the-current-state-and-future-potentials",{"rendered":223},"Smart Glasses In Healthcare: The Current State And Future Potentials",{"rendered":225,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>According to recent reports, Meta \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fcvgk9rqx5kjo\">is winding down\u003C\u002Fa> its metaverse investments in favour of AI glasses and wearables. Despite the lack of popularity of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare\u002F\">the metaverse\u003C\u002Fa>, it is a somewhat surprising move for Meta. After all, it is the company that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\">changed its name\u003C\u002Fa> to emphasise its commitment to the concept of a universe of interconnected virtual worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, Meta seems to be more popular as the maker of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.meta.com\u002Fai-glasses\u002F\">Ray-Ban-branded AI-enabled smart glasses\u003C\u002Fa>. However, Meta is far from the only company in this space, and it was far from being the first either. Smaller companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbrilliant.xyz\u002F\">Brilliant Labs\u003C\u002Fa> have a few generations of such products, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Ftwo-visions-for-smart-glasses\">bigger players like Google and Apple\u003C\u002Fa> are reportedly planning to launch competing models. In other words, the race is officially on to put computers on our faces, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Ftwo-visions-for-smart-glasses\">analysts expect\u003C\u002Fa> a massive growth in this market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With real momentum behind such hardware, it will only be a matter of time before these devices are applied to healthcare settings, if they haven’t already. But will smart glasses in healthcare become meaningful tools, or will they become yet another gimmicky tech? We decided to investigate, with insights from Brilliant Lab’s CEO, Bobak Tavangar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What are AI-enabled smart glasses?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s worth making the difference with other \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\">smart head-worn devices\u003C\u002Fa> here. In particular, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets share similar features to smartglasses, but pack more advanced technology and are typically bulkier. Smartglasses can be somewhat considered as very simplified versions of these headsets.\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\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59007\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Meta might have popularised AI-enabled smart glasses in recent years, but such devices existed well before the company’s foray into this space. They were marketed to consumers towards the late 2010s by small companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsolosglasses.com\u002F\">Solos\u003C\u002Fa>, and would simply be termed as “smart glasses” or “audio glasses”. This is because they would look like regular glasses with tiny speakers in each temple, without any display or camera. They would allow users to take calls, listen to music or query a voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the early 2020s, companies started to experiment with integrating displays and cameras in such glasses. Some, like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.xreal.com\u002F\">XREAL glasses\u003C\u002Fa> would operate with a smartphone connection, while others, like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inmoxr.com\u002Fpages\u002Fabout-us\">INMO glasses,\u003C\u002Fa> would work independently. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During that time, one startup took an unusual approach. Brilliant Lab’s first smart glasses, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.brilliant.xyz\u002Fmonocle\u002Fmonocle\u002F\">Monocle\u003C\u002Fa>, was an open-source, developer-focused device that could attach to your current glasses. It was among the first to bear the moniker of “AI glasses”. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“So we really saw this opportunity not just to make a beautiful thing that’s priced well, but to do a device that harnesses artificial intelligence to amplify your latent powers of mind and speech and understanding,” Bobak Tavangar, CEO of Brilliant Labs, told us. “Because something like glasses is something that many of us wear all day, every day. And if AI can do that for you, you all of a sudden become a super version of yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company will soon release its third product, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbrilliant.xyz\u002Fproducts\u002Fhalo\">the Halo glasses\u003C\u002Fa>, and it shares similarities with other devices in the market. It seems like, currently, the more common features of smart glasses include embedded displays, a front-facing camera, a microphone, and integrated speakers. Most of these devices come with a companion smartphone app that supports AI interactions. This array of technologies has its practical healthcare uses but also raises some concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Current practical uses of smartglasses in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Smartglasses might sound like a pricey end-of-year gift for the tech-savvy person in your life, but they have practical healthcare uses. So far, the biggest beneficial use case has been accessibility for those with vision and hearing impairment. Glasses are typically used to aid in vision correction, but with additional sensors, they bring other layers of accessibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.rokid.com\u002Fpages\u002Frokid-glasses\">Rokid Glasses\u003C\u002Fa>, for example, can address farsightedness by making small prints more legible on the glasses’ own display with an adjustable font size. The same device can provide \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techlicious.com\u002Fblog\u002Frokid-smart-glasses-promise-accessibility-breakthroughs\u002F\">real-time closed captions\u003C\u002Fa> by transcribing what a speaker is saying and displaying it on the screen. This can be beneficial for people with diminished hearing and even help with translation. This indicates an exciting future where smartglasses could pack a hearing aid feature, akin to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fturn-your-airpods-pro-2-into-hearing-aids-testing-and-tracking-hearing-health-in-ios-18-1\u002F\">the AirPods Pro 2\u003C\u002Fa>, making such accessories feel more seamless and less stigmatised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In fact, companies and researchers are investigating such versions of smartglasses. Nuance Audio markets its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nuanceaudio.com\u002Fen-us\">Nuance Audio glasses\u003C\u002Fa> as an “invisible hearing aid solution”. The frame features an array of six microphones to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-and-they-worked-surprisingly-well-at-ces\u002F\">capture sound and amplify it\u003C\u002Fa> via the integrated speakers.\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=\"Introducing Nuance Audio Glasses\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F5ofHKviDuGA?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>Researchers in Scotland \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.androidpolice.com\u002Fhow-smartglasses-with-ai-could-give-hearing-aids-superpowers\u002F\">have developed\u003C\u002Fa> a pair of smartglasses that uses an embedded camera to track a speaker’s lip movements, apply lip-reading technology and AI removal of background noise to enhance hearing. Project lead Professor Mathini Sellathurai c\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.androidpolice.com\u002Fhow-smartglasses-with-ai-could-give-hearing-aids-superpowers\u002F\">onsiders these glasses\u003C\u002Fa> as providing hearing aids with superpowers, and expects a working prototype to be available in 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such meaningful use cases for smart glasses gave Brilliant Labs the conviction to go the open source route for their devices. “Regardless of whether you’re hard of hearing or hard of seeing, there is a sensor for you; that’s why it’s open,” Bobak Tavangar told us. “There’s a lot of software developers out there building for these communities who can hook into our platform and deliver an experience for them.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Future potential uses of smartglasses in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Improving accessibility seems to be the most immediate impact of smartglasses in healthcare, but they hold more potential down the line. While current smartglasses can be considered as simplified AR devices, they might replace these bulkier counterparts as technology progresses. AR and MR devices are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\">already in use\u003C\u002Fa> for medical training and anxiety disorders, but having more compact tools like smartglasses would be more convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Google Glass, Google’s failed attempt at consumer-oriented smartglasses from 2012, even found a brief home \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ucsf.edu\u002Fnews\u002F2013\u002F10\u002F109526\u002Fgoogle-glass-delivers-new-insight-during-surgery\">in surgical uses\u003C\u002Fa>. Other companies are taking it where it left off. For instance, Snke OS GmbH recently \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsnke-unveils-snkexr-medical-ar-glasses-healthcare\">revealed the SnkeXR\u003C\u002Fa>, an open platform AR glasses dedicated to healthcare uses. It is packed with a range of clinically-oriented features such as a built-in surgical tracker and stereoscopic loupe magnification. These make its use cases wide-ranging, from clinical training to remote assistance.\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=\"Snke Unveils SnkeXR, the First Medical Grade, Open Platform AR Glasses for Healthcare\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FPbLrUHeBOng?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>There is even the possibility for smart glasses to become healthcare companions. The second generation of smart glasses from Even Realities provides such an indication. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-glasses\">Even Realities G2\u003C\u002Fa> can be paired with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-ring\">Even Realities R1\u003C\u002Fa>, a smart ring that can monitor health metrics such as heart rate, temperature and steps. These readings can be mirrored to the glasses’ display, without the need to look at your phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brilliant Labs’ CEO thinks that smart glasses can have a more proactive role in healthcare in the future. Aside from eye health, sensors directed at the retina could work like an early warning detection system for the rest of the body, he told us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>An eye on the new concerns\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After over a decade of trying to find a sure footing, consumer-grade smartglasses appear to be ready for adoption, even within healthcare. However, the new tool presents new challenges, especially in relation to privacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As smartglasses increasingly adopt front-facing cameras, the issue of privacy is paramount. Products from data-hungry and ad-supported companies like Meta and Google can represent a privacy nightmare. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brilliant Labs’ Bobak Tavangar believes that we need to provide AI with “eyes” to fulfil the technology’s potential. As such, his company sees cameras as a necessity for AI-enabled smartglasses. “The reason is that it needs to mimic your biological sensors,” he explains. “Not only hearing what you hear, but it needs to see what you see.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The open-source nature of their devices makes them more privacy-focused than their big tech competitors, as Brilliant Labs’ system is explainable and modifiable. The rich data captured by their glasses is sent to your phone only for AI inference, not for social media captures or storage. After an AI model does inference, that data is tossed away and not stored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“We’re not making money by mining your eyeballs and selling them to the highest paying advertiser,” Tavangar adds. “We think about both open source and privacy as two really interlocking elements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Still, other competitors in this space have a different approach to AI glasses. Models from companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-glasses\">Even Realities\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftech.yahoo.com\u002Fgeneral\u002Farticles\u002Fhalliday-fact-checking-smart-glasses-030050284.html\">Halliday\u003C\u002Fa> do not have a camera, specifically to prioritise privacy and make for a product that is more readily adopted. These glasses can mirror a phone’s notifications and rely on AI interactions, such as queries or note-taking, rather than for full-on content consumption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the diverging philosophies in terms of privacy, most of these devices are still \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgizmodo.com\u002Fmeta-ray-ban-display-repair-impossible-ifixit-2000677508\">practically impossible to repair\u003C\u002Fa>. Brilliant Labs’ glasses might be the exception, as the hardware is open source and can be fixed with 3D printed parts, but the competition offers pricey, fragile glasses. If they are damaged, your local optician might not be able to fix them, and they can become impediments, rather than accessibility devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is definitely a place for smart glasses in healthcare, but their adoption should not come at the expense of privacy or accessibility. There is no perfect solution as of now, but with an expanding market and vibrant competition, we might see more healthcare-specific and privacy-focused options become available in the near future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":227,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>According to recent reports, Meta is winding down its metaverse investments in favour of AI glasses and wearables. Despite the lack of popularity of the […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,230,69,231,232,233,5],504,496,499,799,[],[],[],[238,239,240,241],1683,1833,3855,4295,[243,53,91,92,93,94,95,96,244,97,245,246,247,98],"post-59685","category-artificial-intelligence","category-health-sensors-trackers","category-healthcare-design","category-security-privacy",{"id":62,"alt_text":109,"caption":64,"description":109,"media_type":110,"media_details":249,"post":44,"source_url":145},{"width":112,"height":113,"file":114,"filesize":115,"sizes":250,"image_meta":256},{"medium":251,"large":252,"thumbnail":253,"medium_large":254,"1536x1536":255},{"file":118,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"filesize":122,"source_url":123},{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},{"file":131,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"filesize":133,"source_url":134},{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},{"file":137,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":121,"filesize":140,"source_url":141},{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":257},[],{"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":259,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[260,262,264],{"title":261},"\u003Cp>The tech industry has been on a race to put computers on our faces, and the most successful attempt has been AI-enabled smart glasses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":263},"\u003Cp>With the momentum behind such hardware, it is only a matter of time before smart glasses are applied for healthcare uses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":265},"\u003Cp>There might be practical use cases for smart glasses in healthcare, but privacy concerns take a new dimension with such tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":267,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":221},"Smart Glasses In Healthcare: The Current State And Future Potentials - The Medical Futurist",{"self":269,"collection":274,"about":276,"author":278,"replies":280,"version-history":283,"predecessor-version":287,"wp:featuredmedia":291,"wp:attachment":293,"wp:term":296,"curies":307},[270],{"href":271,"targetHints":272},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685",{"allow":273},[27],[275],{"href":171},[277],{"href":174},[279],{"embeddable":41,"href":177},[281],{"embeddable":41,"href":282},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=59685",[284],{"count":285,"href":286},1,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685\u002Frevisions",[288],{"id":289,"href":290},59691,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685\u002Frevisions\u002F59691",[292],{"embeddable":41,"href":191},[294],{"href":295},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=59685",[297,299,301,303,305],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":298},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=59685",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":300},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=59685",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":302},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=59685",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":304},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=59685",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":306},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=59685",[308],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":310,"date":311,"date_gmt":312,"guid":313,"modified":311,"modified_gmt":312,"slug":315,"status":52,"type":53,"link":316,"title":317,"content":319,"excerpt":321,"author":61,"featured_media":323,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":324,"categories":325,"tags":335,"project_category":351,"contact_email_category":356,"yst_prominent_words":357,"class_list":368,"better_featured_image":398,"acf":428,"yoast_meta":441,"_links":444},34265,"2025-09-22T12:15:22","2025-09-22T10:15:22",{"rendered":314},"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":318},"7 Futuristic Professions In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"rendered":320,"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":322,"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},[326,230,327,328,329,232,330,331,332,333,233,334,5],498,798,491,521,516,497,512,515,494,[336,337,338,339,340,341,342,343,344,345,346,347,348,349,350],4883,723,152,6397,196,224,275,372,545,604,619,1319,636,686,137,[352,80,353,354,355],949,951,952,953,[],[358,238,359,360,85,361,362,363,364,365,366,367],1631,1693,1723,1729,1741,1789,1883,1571,2923,1617,[369,53,91,92,93,94,95,370,244,371,372,373,246,374,375,376,377,247,378,98,379,380,381,382,383,384,385,386,387,388,389,390,391,392,393,394,107,395,396,397],"post-34265","category-3d-printing","category-digital-health-research","category-empowered-patients","category-future-medicine","category-medical-education","category-portable-diagnostics","category-robotics","category-science-fiction","category-telemedicine","tag-lifestyle-medicine","tag-telemedicine","tag-bioprinting","tag-epatients","tag-data-2","tag-ecg","tag-healthcare","tag-radiology","tag-sensors","tag-food-scanner","tag-lifestyle","tag-telesurgery","tag-deep-learning","tag-health-data","tag-algorithm","project_category-educators","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers","project_category-researchers",{"id":323,"alt_text":399,"caption":64,"description":400,"media_type":110,"media_details":401,"post":310,"source_url":427},"future jobs in healthcare","Futuristic Jobs In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":404,"sizes":405,"image_meta":426},1920,1080,"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"medium":406,"large":411,"thumbnail":416,"medium_large":420,"1536x1536":421},{"file":407,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":410},"tmf_article_264-01-370x208.png","370","208","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-370x208.png",{"file":412,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":415},"tmf_article_264-01-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png",{"file":417,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":419},"tmf_article_264-01-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-150x150.png",{"file":412,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":415},{"file":422,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":425},"tmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":429,"related_posts_footer":432,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":436},[430,431],34151,24762,[433,434,435],34179,34065,13003,[437,439],{"title":438},"\u003Cp>Thinking about potential jobs in the future might help the current workforce better retrain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":440},"\u003Cp>It can also help employers prepare for the special skills and environments required by these unique professions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":442,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":443,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":316},"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":445,"collection":450,"about":452,"author":454,"replies":456,"version-history":459,"predecessor-version":462,"wp:featuredmedia":466,"wp:attachment":469,"wp:term":472,"curies":483},[446],{"href":447,"targetHints":448},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265",{"allow":449},[27],[451],{"href":171},[453],{"href":174},[455],{"embeddable":41,"href":177},[457],{"embeddable":41,"href":458},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34265",[460],{"count":61,"href":461},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions",[463],{"id":464,"href":465},59141,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions\u002F59141",[467],{"embeddable":41,"href":468},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34321",[470],{"href":471},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34265",[473,475,477,479,481],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":474},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34265",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":476},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34265",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":478},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":480},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":482},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34265",[484],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":486,"date":487,"date_gmt":488,"guid":489,"modified":491,"modified_gmt":492,"slug":493,"status":52,"type":53,"link":494,"title":495,"content":497,"excerpt":499,"author":501,"featured_media":502,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":503,"categories":504,"tags":505,"project_category":511,"contact_email_category":512,"yst_prominent_words":513,"class_list":521,"better_featured_image":528,"acf":558,"yoast_meta":574,"_links":577},13277,"2025-09-15T10:08:52","2025-09-15T08:08:52",{"rendered":490},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13277","2025-09-15T10:08:53","2025-09-15T08:08:53","5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare",{"rendered":496},"Virtual Reality in Healthcare – 5+1 Practical Examples",{"rendered":498,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Virtual Reality started its fascinating take-over of healthcare for the greatest pleasure of patients and doctors alike. Here are five great examples of virtual reality in healthcare transforming patient lives and how doctors work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">Did you know that it is possible to swim with whales in the ocean while lying in a hospital bed? Have you imagined experiencing your 74\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Csup style=\"color: initial;\">th\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\"> birthday as a 20-something? Perhaps follow a risky surgery from your couch?\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 Reality Could Make Healthcare More Pleasant - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkgtnVl3k4Ik?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>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual reality in healthcare is an area with fascinating possibilities. It has not just moved the imagination of science-fiction fans, but also that of clinical researchers and real-life medical practitioners. Although the field is relatively new, there are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">increasingly great examples\u003C\u002Fa> of VR having a positive effect on patients’ lives and physicians’ work.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Watching operations as if you wielded the scalpel\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Have you ever wondered what is going on in an operating room? What those doctors and nurses dressed in blue or green with masks on their heads are doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Dr. Shafi Ahmed \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2016\u002Fapr\u002F14\u002Fcutting-edge-theatre-worlds-first-virtual-reality-operation-goes-live\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conducted the first VR surgery\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016 which could be viewed by anyone online in real time, virtual reality in healthcare now allows more than just passively seeing an operation from the point of view of the surgeon. The technology is now being used to actually train aspiring surgeons and for surgeons to practice operations. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies like \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fossovr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osso VR\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.immersivetouch.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ImmersiveTouch\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer virtual reality solutions to train surgeons and\u002For to hone their skills, and these have been proven to be better than traditional training methods. In fact, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fresearch-how-virtual-reality-can-help-train-surgeons\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an important study\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Harvard Business Review showed that VR-trained surgeons had a 230% boost in their overall performance compared to their traditionally trained counterparts. The former were also faster and more accurate in performing surgical procedures as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"tmf VR AR MR virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, woman, headset, organ, heart\" class=\"wp-image-49459\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual reality in healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">could elevate the teaching and learning experience to a whole new level. Traditionally, only a few students can peek over the shoulder of the surgeon during an operation and it is challenging to learn the tricks of the trade via this method. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a virtual reality camera, surgeons can stream operations globally and allow medical students to actually be there in the OR using their VR goggles. An early example was when medical students at Case Western University \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fconsultqd.clevelandclinic.org\u002Fnew-health-education-campus-offers-immersive-medical-training\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were taught\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about the human anatomy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the help of such devices as the HoloLens about the human anatomy, cadaver-free (albeit using the slightly different Mixed Reality technology). \u003C\u002Fspan>But today there are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthtechmagazine.net\u002Farticle\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Far-vr-medical-training-2023-perfcon\" target=\"_blank\">so many great examples\u003C\u002Fa> of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cuimc.columbia.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-reality-training-doctors-made-real-columbias-clinical-innovation-lab\" target=\"_blank\">using VR\u003C\u002Fa> (and\u002For AR, XR, etc) in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fforbestechcouncil\u002F2023\u002F10\u002F02\u002Ffrom-static-images-to-immersive-experiences-vrs-role-in-medical-education\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">medical training\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-medical-simulations\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual reality in healthcare holds great promise\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in revolutionising medical education and training, and such examples will soon become the norm.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Relaxing patients with Medical VR\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you, as a patient, ever had the feeling that time just stops in the hospital, there is nothing to do, you miss your family and friends and you are constantly worried about your condition? Anxiety while in hospital, the constant worry about an upcoming procedure, and the actual pain that one can suffer during or after a procedure are understandably taxing on anyone. VR presents itself as an enticing solution to help patients relax and suffer to a lesser extent in such situations.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a pilot study\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, patients undergoing surgery at St George’s Hospital in London had the option to use a VR headset prior to and during their operation to view calming landscapes during the procedure. 100% of the participants reported that their overall hospital experience was improved by wearing the headset, while 94% said they felt more relaxed. Furthermore, 80% said they felt less pain after wearing the headset and 73% reported feeling less anxious.\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 Reality | Cedars-Sinai\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FzpcNhnU-Aaw?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>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VR is also being used to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help women get through labor pain\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or what is known to be one of the most severe pains, and the reason for pregnant women to opt for epidurals. VR is a viable alternative for those who would like to give birth naturally but without the worry of having a painful experience.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier studies with patients suffering from gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurological and post-surgical pain have shown a decline in their pain levels when using VR to distract them from painful stimuli.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Real conferences with virtual reality for an enhanced experience\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You’ve probably experienced it and I sure can tell you about it, medical and healthcare conferences can be very tedious. What with the blatant lack of audience engagement, uninteresting presentation visuals and the all-too-common bullet points, these conferences could very much do with a tech overhaul. A few years ago I \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-technologies-shape-the-future-of-medical-conferences\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">collected 5 ways\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which technology can improve medical conferences and VR weighs in as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events-768x432.png\" alt=\"virtual reality in healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-16841\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events-444x250.png 444w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F02\u002Fvirtual-reality-events.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visualising a presenter and their audience with VR headsets strapped to their faces might be an entertaining thought, but such a scene is already a reality. Dr. Brennan Spiegel, a strong advocate of VR in medicine, gave \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FBrennanSpiegel\u002Fstatus\u002F930517608322949120\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an entire MedEd lecture in VR\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> in 2017!\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> He has also \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FaRpmmt9bCv4?t=1821\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">been using this technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in his presentations at the annual \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.virtualmedicine.health\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual Medicine\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conference. \u003C\u002Fspan>Quite sad that despite all the years that passed we don’t see VR (or other extended realities) becoming much more common mediums of conferences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the interactive possibilities that VR offers like 3D visualization and gamification, audience engagement and the overall quality of the conference would skyrocket.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) Helping physicians experience life as the elderly \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have\u003C\u002Fspan> you ever wondered what it feels like to grow old? How would it feel to not be able to lift your hand above your head? How would it feel like when you’ve lost one of your fingers, or recovered from a heart attack? Experiencing such conditions through VR can help medical students and young physicians develop one of the must-have abilities of \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a doctor: empathy.\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=\"VR can improve empathy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FL9UZchvKzys?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>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The University of New England \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpubmed\u002F30271295\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tested this theory\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by incorporating age-related conditions simulations via VR in the medical school curriculum. The participating students were found to better understand such conditions and saw an increase in their empathy for the elderly.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another university that explored the potential of VR in medical education is the University of Michigan. Students at this university \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2017\u002F04\u002F170427091749.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">used the MPathic-VR app\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to train their communication skills with a virtual human, which proved to be very helpful when delivering difficult news.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>An interesting recent venture: the British Royal Society of Medicine \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.news-medical.net\u002Fnews\u002F20230619\u002FVirtual-reality-can-help-doctors-to-handle-difficult-conversations-with-patients.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">offers a fascinating module\u003C\u002Fa> to medical students and practicing healthcare professionals. It is a VR training program to improve communication with patients, especially in challenging situations. The AI-enhanced simulation software helps doctors improve their ability to identify anger signals, recognise how different responses can diffuse or exacerbate anger, remain calm in hostile situations, and move the situation forward with empathy.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Speeding up recovery \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>in physical therapy\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For patients who survived a stroke or traumatic brain injury, time is of the essence. The earlier they start rehabilitation, the better chances they have for successfully regaining lost functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing a gamified approach to physical therapy for such patients is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.neurorehabvr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neuro Rehab VR\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Collaborating with physicians and therapists, the company develops VR training exercises with machine learning so as to tailor each exercise to patients’ therapeutic needs. The aim is to make physical therapy more enjoyable so as to increase patient engagement.\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=\"TV Feature: Inside The Power Of Neuro Rehab VR (Information Matrix TV)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FPjQugzxP_yM?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>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such methods have been proven to be indeed effective. In \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6935730\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a study published in 2019\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, researchers found that after VR therapy, children with cerebral palsy experienced a significant improvement in their mobility. The authors of this study further called for adding this method to conventional rehabilitation techniques so as to improve outcomes.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above are only some of the many examples of how VR is changing the healthcare experience for both patients and medical professionals. As the technology gets more affordable, it will be more and more widely adopted while more immersive technologies will come to the forefront. For instance, the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmixed-reality-healthcare-hololens-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft HoloLens\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.magicleap.com\u002Fen-us\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Magic Le\u003C\u002Fspan>ap\u003C\u002Fa> can offer more interactive experiences with their mixed-reality\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> headsets, but these devices are fairly new and expensive. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, VR headsets are now as cheap as $10. However, in order for the technology to be more widely adopted in the healthcare setting, attitudes need to be changed. And for that to happen, physicians and patients need to be open to the technology. Once this is achieved, I am confident that VR will make healthcare more pleasant.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">+1 The Metaverse, the distant promise using Medical VR\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Discussing this topic we can’t leave the Metaverse unmentioned. After all, it uses virtual reality, and for a while – right before generative AI stole all the spotlight – it seemed like many major tech players were betting heavily that it would be the next iteration of the internet where we would work and play alike. Facebook even rebranded itself to Meta during this craze. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We obviously wondered what \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">healthcare implications could stem from the metaverse hype\u003C\u002Fa> and dedicated a detailed analysis to the topic. \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\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"Metaverse digital health\" class=\"wp-image-40163\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png 1340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The concept of the metaverse differs from “regular” VR. Instead of using a headset only for therapy, one would meet their therapist through the device as a digital avatar; have their consultation held in a virtual office; and can even head to a virtual pharmacy to order their prescription medicine (or VR app). Following that, they can meet up with fellow patient communities to share, in their avatar form, their treatment progress; and discuss new developments pertinent to their ailments. Theoretically, of course. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As enticing as the prospect of extending healthcare to the metaverse sounds, we must consider its feasibility. The sheer volume of personal health data that will be involved represents \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a security and privacy concern\u003C\u002Fa>. Given how healthcare and electronic health systems have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Finteroperability-where-its-headed-and-where-it-leaders-will-be-investing\" target=\"_blank\">a notorious legacy of interoperability issues\u003C\u002Fa>, thinking that the metaverse will take those woes away might be a pipedream.\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\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png\" alt=\"VR, AR and MR in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-51089\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On top of that comes practical issues with access to and handling VR headsets that pose as enablers of the metaverse. There are some more-or-less affordable ways to get quality VR content. But even a couple hundred dollars might be a barrier. And those who adopt might encounter other hurdles with setting up the device; or simply having a 500g load strapped to one’s forehead might not be totally comfortable for extended periods of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s so much easier to communicate with people through phones and\u002For social media sites that envisioning all this happening in the metaverse seems like a far-fetched sci-fi idea. So all in all, we don’t see it having feasible applications for virtual reality in healthcare for the near future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\u002Fposts\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-02-at-13.35.51-768x311.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27373\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-02-at-13.35.51-768x311.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-02-at-13.35.51.png 1518w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":500,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Five great examples of virtual reality transforming healthcare: from relaxing patients to revolutionizing medical training and conferences\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,26013,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[330,5],[506,507,508,509,510,77,78],517,246,289,313,425,[80,353,354],[],[87,88,514,515,516,358,517,238,518,360,519,85,520,86,362],3209,3211,3213,3217,3219,3221,3225,[522,53,91,92,93,94,95,374,98,523,524,525,526,527,105,106,107,395,396],"post-13277","tag-gc1","tag-future","tag-innovation","tag-medicine","tag-technology-2",{"id":502,"alt_text":529,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":110,"media_details":530,"post":486,"source_url":557},"5 Ways Medical Virtual Reality Is Already Changing Healthcare",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":531,"sizes":532,"image_meta":555},"2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small.png",{"medium":533,"large":536,"thumbnail":539,"medium_large":542,"1536x1536":543,"medium_old_370x208":546,"large_old_512x288":547,"thumbnail_old_150x150":552,"medium_large_old_768x432":553,"1536x1536_old_1536x864":554},{"file":534,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"source_url":535},"136_tmf-01-small-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-370x208.png",{"file":537,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"source_url":538},"136_tmf-01-small-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-768x432.png",{"file":540,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"source_url":541},"136_tmf-01-small-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-150x150.png",{"file":537,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"source_url":538},{"file":544,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":121,"source_url":545},"136_tmf-01-small-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-1536x864.png",{"file":534,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":535},{"file":548,"width":549,"height":550,"mime-type":121,"source_url":551},"136_tmf-01-small-512x288.png","512","288","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-512x288.png",{"file":540,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":541},{"file":537,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":538},{"file":544,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":545},{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":556},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":559,"subtitle":64,"related_books":560,"related_posts_footer":563,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":567},"blue",[150,561,562],47427,37033,[564,565,566],15375,15503,17731,[568,570,572],{"title":569},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Virtual reality in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong> has the potential to add significant value from patient experience to medical training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":571},"\u003Cp>Despite slow adoption, increasing instances demonstrate VR’s growing integration in healthcare settings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":573},"\u003Cp>The widespread implementation of \u003Cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\">virtual reality in healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan> remains cost-sensitive, with affordability being a key obstacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":575,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":576,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":494},"Virtual Reality in Healthcare - 5+1 Practical Examples","Five great examples of virtual reality transforming healthcare: from relaxing patients to revolutionizing medical training and conferences",{"self":578,"collection":583,"about":585,"author":587,"replies":590,"version-history":593,"predecessor-version":597,"wp:featuredmedia":601,"wp:attachment":604,"wp:term":607,"curies":618},[579],{"href":580,"targetHints":581},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13277",{"allow":582},[27],[584],{"href":171},[586],{"href":174},[588],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[591],{"embeddable":41,"href":592},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13277",[594],{"count":595,"href":596},51,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13277\u002Frevisions",[598],{"id":599,"href":600},59073,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13277\u002Frevisions\u002F59073",[602],{"embeddable":41,"href":603},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F26013",[605],{"href":606},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13277",[608,610,612,614,616],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":609},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13277",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":611},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13277",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":613},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13277",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":615},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13277",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":617},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13277",[619],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":621,"date":622,"date_gmt":623,"guid":624,"modified":626,"modified_gmt":627,"slug":628,"status":52,"type":53,"link":629,"title":630,"content":632,"excerpt":634,"author":501,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":636,"categories":637,"tags":639,"project_category":640,"contact_email_category":641,"yst_prominent_words":642,"class_list":646,"better_featured_image":649,"acf":659,"yoast_meta":667,"_links":669},59005,"2025-08-25T11:30:55","2025-08-25T09:30:55",{"rendered":625},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=59005&_wpnonce=2d3db70c8b&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-08-28T11:43:14","2025-08-28T09:43:14","what-can-we-learn-from-the-fdas-list-of-augmented-and-virtual-reality-devices","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-can-we-learn-from-the-fdas-list-of-augmented-and-virtual-reality-devices",{"rendered":631},"What Can We Learn From The FDA’s List of Augmented and Virtual Reality Devices?",{"rendered":633,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Similar to AI-based medical devices, the US regulator, the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002Fdigital-health-center-excellence\u002Faugmented-reality-and-virtual-reality-medical-devices\" target=\"_blank\">FDA has an official list of devices of augmented and virtual reality too\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Just as a quick reminder\u003C\u002Fa>, Virtual Reality (VR) completely shields the physical world from the user and immerses them in an interactive virtual environment. While Augmented Reality (AR) superimposes the physical environment with virtual elements that have limited interaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the FDA states:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality have the potential to transform health care, delivering new types of treatments and diagnostics and changing how and where care is delivered. Central to their potential in diagnosis and treatment is their ability to deliver both standard and entirely new types of content in highly immersive and realistic ways, remotely, and tailored to a variety of clinical contexts. Physicians, patients, and caregivers can enlist AR\u002FVR to help them prepare for, or perform, certain treatments or procedures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\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\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59007\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The list\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are 92 devices in the list as of today. Here are the analyses based on different aspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Regarding which \u003Cstrong>medical specialties\u003C\u002Fstrong> the devices are related to:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Radiology 34 devices\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Orthopedic 25\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Neurology 17\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Physical Medicine 7\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Ophthalmic 4\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Regarding \u003Cstrong>when \u003C\u002Fstrong>the devices got approved, there is a slow increase over the years:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>2015 1\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2016 4\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2017 4\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2018 3\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2019 7\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2020 5\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2021 12\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2022 14\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2023 19\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2024 16\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>2025 August 7\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Regarding \u003Cstrong>submission type\u003C\u002Fstrong>, 90 devices have received approvals as the 510(k) submission type, with only two devices being cleared through the De Novo process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And regarding \u003Cstrong>companies \u003C\u002Fstrong>that submitted the applications, here are the ones with multiple approvals or clearances:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Medacta International S.A. 8\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Pixee Medical 5\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Surgical Theater, Inc. 5\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Augmedics Ltd. 5\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Ceevra, Inc. 4\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As always, we will keep a close eye on such developments and reanalyze the list as soon as updates are available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While this list is not even comparable to that of AI-based medical devices, it sets a great example for other policy-makers and regulators to make their official lists public. The FDA is leading the race in this aspect worldwide. Companies working on VR and AR applications could get a better picture of what use cases and real-life clinical or patient needs could overcome the hurdles of regulations better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":635,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>While this list is not even comparable to that of AI-based medical devices, it sets a great example for other policy-makers and regulators to make their official lists public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[69,638,5],800,[],[],[],[87,643,88,241,644,645,360,85,86],2297,4505,5067,[647,53,91,92,93,94,95,97,648,98],"post-59005","category-healthcare-policy",{"id":62,"alt_text":109,"caption":64,"description":109,"media_type":110,"media_details":650,"post":44,"source_url":145},{"width":112,"height":113,"file":114,"filesize":115,"sizes":651,"image_meta":657},{"medium":652,"large":653,"thumbnail":654,"medium_large":655,"1536x1536":656},{"file":118,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"filesize":122,"source_url":123},{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},{"file":131,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"filesize":133,"source_url":134},{"file":125,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":128,"source_url":129},{"file":137,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":121,"filesize":140,"source_url":141},{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":658},[],{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":660,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[661,663,665],{"title":662},"\u003Cp>Virtual Reality (VR) completely shields the physical world from the user and immerses them in an interactive virtual environment. While Augmented Reality (AR) superimposes the physical environment with virtual elements that have limited interaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":664},"\u003Cp>Similar to AI-based medical devices, the US regulator, the FDA, has an official list of devices of augmented and virtual reality too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":666},"\u003Cp>Companies working on VR and AR applications could get a better picture of what use cases and real-life clinical or patient needs could overcome the hurdles of regulations better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":668,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":629},"What Can We Learn From The FDA's List of Augmented and Virtual Reality Devices? - The Medical Futurist",{"self":670,"collection":675,"about":677,"author":679,"replies":681,"version-history":684,"predecessor-version":688,"wp:featuredmedia":692,"wp:attachment":694,"wp:term":697,"curies":708},[671],{"href":672,"targetHints":673},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59005",{"allow":674},[27],[676],{"href":171},[678],{"href":174},[680],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[682],{"embeddable":41,"href":683},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=59005",[685],{"count":686,"href":687},3,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59005\u002Frevisions",[689],{"id":690,"href":691},59019,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59005\u002Frevisions\u002F59019",[693],{"embeddable":41,"href":191},[695],{"href":696},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=59005",[698,700,702,704,706],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":699},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=59005",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":701},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=59005",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":703},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=59005",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":705},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=59005",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":707},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=59005",[709],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":711,"date":712,"date_gmt":713,"guid":714,"modified":716,"modified_gmt":717,"slug":718,"status":52,"type":53,"link":719,"title":720,"content":722,"excerpt":724,"author":501,"featured_media":726,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":727,"categories":728,"tags":732,"project_category":741,"contact_email_category":744,"yst_prominent_words":745,"class_list":749,"better_featured_image":764,"acf":789,"yoast_meta":800,"_links":802},14484,"2025-06-17T10:12:28","2025-06-17T08:12:28",{"rendered":715},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14484","2025-06-17T10:12:29","2025-06-17T08:12:29","the-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health",{"rendered":721},"9 Technologies That Will Shape The Future Of Dentistry",{"rendered":723,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common childhood fears is going to the dentist. Who would not relate? Sitting in a huge chair illuminated by blinding light, enduring lengthy seated sessions with someone looking and poking inside your mouth using edgy and frightening devices, producing sounds like the screams of tortured souls from hell. And finally, when the misery is over, that same someone tells you not to eat your favourite sweets and instructs you to brush your teeth regularly. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’ve all been through this as a kid and childhood memories stick with us, just recalling this might send a shiver down your spine. No one likes to go to the dentist although everyone knows how crucial oral health is and how strongly it is connected to our overall health. But an armada of new technologies\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from virtual reality through artificial intelligence (AI) to CRISPR will revolutionise dentistry and our whole attitude towards oral health in the future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Sitting in the dentist's chair - Future of Dentistry\" class=\"wp-image-14485\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-512x268.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-458x239.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like in the case of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-specialties-with-the-biggest-potential-in-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other medical specialties\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, disruptive innovations will have a huge impact on how dentistry will be practiced and how patients will take care of themselves in the future. Can you imagine that you might get your 3D-printed prosthesis in an hour instead of 4-5 sessions at the dentist? How about having a teledentist consultation? Or being able to grow new teeth at the age of 80? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s see how these can be the case in the future thanks to the following 9 technologies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>1. Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already, dentists \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS1991790220301434#:~:text=AI%20has%20been%20used%20mainly,with%20superior%20quality%20patient%20care.\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employ software\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get insights into clinical decision-making, but \u003C\u002Fspan>AI is changing the face of dentistry, just like it is in many other fields. For dentists, it’s transforming diagnosis, decision-making, and treatment planning. For patients, it promises more accurate care and better outcomes. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiersin.org\u002Farticles\u002F10.3389\u002Ffdmed.2023.1085251\u002Ffull\" target=\"_blank\">This study\u003C\u002Fa> summarises how AI is adding value to various segments of the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Operative dentistry: finding cavities earlier\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even with X-rays, dentists sometimes miss small cavities, especially in tricky spots like between teeth. AI can detect early-stage dental caries and vertical root fractures more accurately than traditional methods in a cost-effective way. Problems that get treated earlier, prevent the need for major work later – a huge win for all of us as patients. This is not science fiction, using neural networks can better \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rdhmag.com\u002Fcareer-profession\u002Farticle\u002F14185563\u002Fartificial-intelligence-ai-in-dentistry\" target=\"_blank\">detect dental decay\u003C\u002Fa> (and periodontal disease) from radiographs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Periodontics: protecting your gums\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gum disease (periodontitis) can be hard to spot in its early stages, but it’s a major cause of tooth loss. AI helps dentists catch it early, so treatment can be simpler and more effective. It’s like adding an expert gum specialist to the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Orthodontics: planning the perfect smile\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Creating the ideal orthodontic treatment plan (braces and Co.) is time-consuming and takes lots of measurements and analysis. AI models help orthodontists create the best treatment plans, and predict how the result will look like. This means faster results and less guesswork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>AI in oral and maxillofacial pathology: early detection, targeted treatments\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Oral cancers and other serious issues can lurk undetected with biopsies being the only way to diagnose them. AI is getting good at analysing scans and microscope slides. It can identify suspicious areas that need closer examination and can help distinguish between tumor types. This can lead to earlier cancer detection and more targeted treatment. Researchers in 2019 \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41598-019-49710-z\" target=\"_blank\">developed a machine learning method\u003C\u002Fa> to accurately quantify immune cells in the vicinity of oral cancer cells. This gives better insights into the spread of and resistance to cancer; thereby \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalxpress.com\u002Fnews\u002F2019-09-ai-chances-surviving-oral-cancer.html\" target=\"_blank\">helping in determining\u003C\u002Fa> the chances of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Prosthodontics: designing better restorations\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Crowns, dentures, and other restorations have to be custom-made for a perfect fit – a time-consuming process. Various AI models can assist this process by generating perfect dental crowns and dentures through CAD integration and improving shade matching. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30807\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To think even more ahead: \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frise-in-population-genomics-local-government-in-india-will-use-blockchain-to-secure-genetic-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genomic data\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can offer a \u003C\u002Fspan>deeper understanding \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for personalised care. With AI tools having access to such information, they can instantly offer the best treatment options and probabilities of success.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Smart toothbrush\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While AI helps dental professionals provide better treatments, smart toothbrushes enable all of us to take better care of our teeth. Our home will be filled with connected, smart devices in the future, so why would our bathroom be an exception?\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> At first, it might feel a bit strange to let a sensor into one of your most intimate activities, tooth brushing, but it makes a lot easier to maintain oral hygiene and prevent plaque or cavities. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kolibree.com\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kolibree smart electric toothbrush\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes sure you are brushing your teeth the right way through its app and offers kids fun games to keep up the good habit of regularly cleaning their teeth. Philips’ \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.philips.com\u002Fc-m-pe\u002Felectric-toothbrushes#triggername=color_white\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonicare smart toothbrush\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes packed with sensors in its handle. These provide real-time feedback via a companion app warning you if you are applying too much pressure, where you are brushing and even coach the user as to how to brush properly. And there are so many such devices \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fs?k=smart+toothbrush&crid=1MFD8ISN5WMO0&sprefix=smart+tooth%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the market\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-768x439.jpg\" alt=\"smart toothbrush\" class=\"wp-image-56057\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush.jpg 1792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While having a personal coach to optimise your daily oral hygiene might sound enticing, not everyone is enthusiastic about the technology. Firstly, dental experts emphasise \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002Fwirecutter\u002Fblog\u002Fsmart-toothbrushes-dont-recommend\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the need for proper brushing techniques\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002Fwirecutter\u002Freviews\u002Fbest-electric-toothbrush\u002F#what-about-smart-toothbrushes\" target=\"_blank\">these devices won’t improve upon\u003C\u002Fa>. Rather, it’s a dental professional who can demonstrate the proper techniques at your next appointment. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, by buying smart toothbrushes from companies like\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pg.com\u002Fprivacy\u002Fenglish\u002Fprivacy_statement.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procter & Gamble\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.philips.com\u002Fa-w\u002Fmobile-privacy-notice\u002Fsonicare-connected-app-gdpr.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Oral Healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you agree to their privacy policies that enable them to share your data with third parties. Now that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health data is the new oil\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, companies will want to profit off of these in as many ways as possible. So you might want to adopt a smart toothbrush from a company that gives you more control over your data or one that doesn’t share it with third parties at all.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Augmented Reality\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might be familiar with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faugmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Augmented Reality\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AR) through social media apps; it’s the same technology that Snapchat uses to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=Pc2aJxnmzh0&ab_channel=Vox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">superimpose filters\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your face during your guilt trip selfie with a dog face filter. But AR also found a home in dentistry for both educational and clinical purposes.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Navigation’s \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fimage-navigation.com\u002Fhome-page\u002Fdentsim\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DentSim Simulator\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pairs AR with a mannequin on which students can perform procedures while receiving immediate feedback as their movements are tracked. This helps them identify faster where they should improve and develop their skills in the process. It’s already in by 8,500 students in dental schools around the world.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30911\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In dental practice, the technology is more prevalent in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures in order to help patients know what they will look like after the treatment. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsmartteksas.com\u002Faugmented-reality-smile-application\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SmartTek\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> developed an AR app that uses a phone or tablet’s camera to overlay virtual depictions of the improved set of teeth prior to the procedure. This allows patients and dentists to configure features of their teeth such as height and spacing to their liking before they even enter the surgery room.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Virtual Reality in dentistry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not to be confused with AR, Virtual Reality (VR) completely closes off the outside world with a dedicated headset and immerses the user in a virtual environment. By slipping such a headset on their head, students and aspiring dental surgeons \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.voanews.com\u002Fa\u002Fepisode_absence-person-classes-dentistry-courses-use-virtual-reality-4725316\u002F6117310.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can be transported to the OR from their couch\u003C\u002Fa>; while patients can visualise a calming landscape while seated at the dreaded dentist’s chair to improve their experience.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, only a few students can peek over the shoulder of the surgeon during an operation and it is challenging to learn the tricks of the trade like that. With a virtual reality camera, surgeons can stream operations globally and allow medical students to actually be there in the OR using their VR goggles. Dentistry even outpaced other fields of medicine in adopting this method. Back in 2015, Nobel Biocare \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fvrscout.com\u002Fnews\u002Fdental-surgery-virtual-reality\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">held the first dental surgery\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> filmed through VR and allowed observers to virtually assist the whole procedure from the surgeon’s perspective. In comparison, the first VR-recorded surgery was performed at \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2016\u002Fapr\u002F14\u002Fcutting-edge-theatre-worlds-first-virtual-reality-operation-goes-live\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Royal London Hospital\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016. The technology can further be used to help dentists \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build on their empathy skills\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through simulations putting them in the shoes of their patients or in challenging situations. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-scaled.gif\" alt=\"medical virtual simulation\" class=\"wp-image-24685\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the patient side, VR might be the solution to our dentist’s office anxiety. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fjournals.plos.org\u002Fplosone\u002Farticle?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0091276\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An experiment showed\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that VR can be used as an effective distraction tool in dentistry. Patients wore goggles which displayed calming natural scenes, and remembered the treatments more positively afterwards. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Teledentistry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are reluctant to go to the dentist, imagine how hard it is for children, patients with special needs or the elderly in nursing homes. Another issue is distance: people living in rural areas rarely get access to a dentist and hardly ever have the possibility of choice. This can change significantly with the spread of teledentistry. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teledentistry services offered by companies like \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theteledentists.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Teledenists\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mouthwatch.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MouthWatch\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide easier access to oral and dental care; are significantly cheaper for patients; shift towards cheaper prevention practices; and allow patients to consult with otherwise unavailable medical professionals. For instance, MouthWatch’s TeleDent service offers an all-in-one teledentistry platform allowing patients to capture images, send relevant information to a dentist remotely, and do a live consult. The dentist might start a video chat with the patient and the caregiver so that the medical professional can actually see and talk to the patient, build rapport, help connect them and bring them into the office (if necessary).\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30913\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The American Dental Association issued \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ada.org\u002Fabout\u002Fgovernance\u002Fcurrent-policies\u002Fada-policy-on-teledentistry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a policy on teledentistry\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that offers guidance on the modalities that such services can follow. This sets the pace in making teledentistry a general practice.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. Computer-assisted design and 3D-printing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing does not need any introduction considering the buzz it generated in healthcare a while ago with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the technology’s potential to print\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medicines, prosthetics and even organ replicas. Its importance was \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-tech-here-to-stay-after-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to bypass supply chains to meet hospitals’ demands. As the technology is set to become an integral part of healthcare practice, it will also become incorporated into dental labs.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted manufacture (CAM), including 3D-printing, are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">already revolutionising the sector; \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they are turning them into low-cost, more effective digital labs. Traditionally, when a patient needs a crown, a dentist must make a mould of the tooth and fashion a temporary crown, then wait for the dental laboratory to make a permanent one.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30915\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-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;\">With \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.webmd.com\u002Foral-health\u002Fadvances-in-dental-care-whats-new-at-the-dentist#2\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAD\u002FCAM technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the tooth is drilled to prepare it for the crown and a picture is taken with a computer. This image is then relayed to a machine that manufactures the crown right in the office. With a 3D printer doing the hard work, dental labs eliminate the bottleneck of manual modelling and let the business grow. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.stratasys.com\u002Findustries\u002Fdental\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stratasys\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.desktopmetal.com\u002Fdental-3d-printing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Desktop Health,\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fformlabs.com\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printed-teeth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FormLabs\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer such high-tech solutions for dental labs.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdental.formlabs.com\u002Feu\u002Fblog\u002Fdigital-dentistry-dental-3d-printing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are also able to produce\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> orthodontic models, surgical guides, aligners, retainers and more dental equipment faster and more precisely; tasks that would take longer with traditional methods. This helps improve workflows, reducing error and the amount of labor needed, which ultimately endows the technology with time and cost-efficiency.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. Intra-oral camera\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the greatest inconveniences\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while being seated in\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the dentists’ chair is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that sometimes, no matter how wide you open your mouth, the dentist still\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cannot see what they would like to see, even by using the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trusty \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental mirror. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such situations are not only uncomfortable \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for both the patient and the doctor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but also painful. However, the advent of\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> intra-oral cameras \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can remedy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this exact problem.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mouthwatch.com\u002Fintraoral-cameras\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MouthWatch\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.duerrdental.com\u002Fen\u002Fproducts\u002Fimaging\u002Fvistacam-intraoral-camera-systems\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dürrdental\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.carestreamdental.com\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fintraoralcamera\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carestream Dental\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are some of the many companies to have launched intra-oral cameras on the market. The cameras’ unique liquid lens technology works like the human eye to ensure effortless image capture to deliver clear, detailed images patients can really understand.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>8. Regenerative dentistry\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’ve come to expect to have our teeth fall off with age or with damage and have them replaced by prostheses. However, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fsj.bdj.2014.961\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regenerative dentistry\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> challenges this preconceived idea with developments that can lead to self-healing teeth and biological therapy for damaged teeth. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A Japanese startup, Toregem Biopharma will launch clinical trials in September of what is believed to be the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fasia.nikkei.com\u002FBusiness\u002FPharmaceuticals\u002FWorld-s-first-tooth-regenerating-drug-to-enter-testing-in-Japan\" target=\"_blank\">first-ever treatment that can regrow teeth\u003C\u002Fa>. The drug is designed to help patients missing some or all of their teeth from birth – a condition named congenital anodontia. However, the Kyoto University-affiliated startup hopes to eventually offer a solution to patients who lost their teeth later in life as well. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previously, researchers from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feurope.newsweek.com\u002Fdental-fillings-heal-teeth-stem-cells-harvard-cavities-477415?rm=eu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">developed dental fillings\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that allow teeth to heal themselves. These fillings stimulate stem cells to promote the growth of dentin, or the main constituent of our teeth. This effectively enables patients to regrow teeth damaged through dental disease and potentially eliminate the need for root canals!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discoveries from researchers at Karolinska Institutet \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fscitechdaily.com\u002Fregenerative-dentistry-breakthrough-biological-therapy-for-damaged-teeth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can accelerate development\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the field of regenerative medicine. They were able to map the differentiation pathways of the cells that make up human teeth. They also discovered new cell types and cell layers in teeth that can impact tooth sensitivity.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isn’t it exciting to think that you might not need to have false teeth to replace your own when you are old, but you might grow new ones? The tooth fairy will be very excited for sure!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9. CRISPR\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CRISPR is a ground-breaking genome editing method offered by Mother Nature herself, but researchers have discovered its immense potential only recently. As explored in our dedicated articles, it might \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">become the ultimate weapon against cancer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or, more controversially, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-could-crisprcas9-do-tomorrow\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help design babies in the future\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And the field of dentistry will also benefit from the technology as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-22535 is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing.jpg\" alt=\"digital health technologies\" class=\"wp-image-22535\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-512x289.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.verdict.co.uk\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what could CRISPR achieve in dentistry? Well quite a lot, in fact. Chinese researchers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.todaysrdh.com\u002Fwhat-is-crispr-and-how-could-it-change-dentistry\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are conducting studies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the technology to isolate and switch off oral cancer-associated genes. Other researchers are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F30329221\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">using CRISPR\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to alter the functioning of bacteria responsible for plaque formation. Their endeavour could even lead to the reduction or outright prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. But please don’t give up on brushing your teeth just yet!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>The bright future of dental medicine\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is amazing how more and more disruptive innovations will be at our disposal – either for improving oral health (and getting rid of the dentist-related fear and anxiety) as a patient or upgrading your practice as a professional. Our task at The Medical Futurist is to follow the latest innovations and keep pace with the growing possibilities in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Be sure to pick up a copy of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fa> to learn more about the technological future of medical specialties!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\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\" 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\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":725,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>One of the most common human fears is going to the dentist, although we all know  how crucial oral health is and how strongly it is connected to our overall health. Let’s see what new technologies can do to  revolutionise dentistry – and our attitudes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30915,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[326,230,729,328,329,730,731,231,330,334,5],500,490,488,[733,76,734,735,342,510,77,506,736,737,738,739,740],671,206,262,570,597,130,598,134,[742,743,352,80,353],947,948,[],[746,358,747,748,85,239],2261,1715,1719,[750,53,91,92,93,94,95,370,244,751,372,373,752,753,245,374,378,98,754,104,755,756,385,527,105,523,757,758,759,760,761,762,763,394,107,395],"post-14484","category-biotechnology","category-future-of-pharma","category-genomics","tag-machine-learning","tag-digital","tag-genomics","tag-crispr","tag-dentistry","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-oral-health","tag-ai","project_category-company","project_category-developers",{"id":726,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":765,"media_type":110,"media_details":766,"post":711,"source_url":788},"An armada of new technologies from virtual reality through A.I. to CRISPR will revolutionise dentistry in the future. ",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":767,"sizes":768,"image_meta":787},"2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png",{"medium":769,"large":772,"thumbnail":775,"medium_large":778,"1536x1536":779,"2048x2048":782},{"file":770,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":771},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png",{"file":773,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":774},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png",{"file":776,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":777},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-150x150.png",{"file":773,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":774},{"file":780,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":781},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png",{"file":783,"width":784,"height":785,"mime-type":121,"source_url":786},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":790,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":794,"key_takeaways":795},[791,792,793],13061,13172,13916,[151,431,149],[796,798],{"title":797},"\u003Cp>Disruptive innovations will have a huge impact on how dentistry will be practiced and how patients will take care of their oral health in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":799},"\u003Cp>These technologies will result in better and more personalized care, faster solutions, often at lower costs than today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":721,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":801,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":719},"Let's look at the top digital technologies from virtual reality through A.I. to CRISPR that will revolutionise dentistry in the future.",{"self":803,"collection":808,"about":810,"author":812,"replies":814,"version-history":817,"predecessor-version":821,"wp:featuredmedia":825,"wp:attachment":828,"wp:term":831,"curies":842},[804],{"href":805,"targetHints":806},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484",{"allow":807},[27],[809],{"href":171},[811],{"href":174},[813],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[815],{"embeddable":41,"href":816},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14484",[818],{"count":819,"href":820},66,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484\u002Frevisions",[822],{"id":823,"href":824},58855,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484\u002Frevisions\u002F58855",[826],{"embeddable":41,"href":827},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30915",[829],{"href":830},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14484",[832,834,836,838,840],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":833},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14484",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":835},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14484",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":837},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14484",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":839},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14484",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":841},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14484",[843],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":845,"date":846,"date_gmt":847,"guid":848,"modified":850,"modified_gmt":851,"slug":852,"status":52,"type":53,"link":853,"title":854,"content":856,"excerpt":858,"author":501,"featured_media":860,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":861,"categories":862,"tags":867,"project_category":891,"contact_email_category":892,"yst_prominent_words":893,"class_list":900,"better_featured_image":929,"acf":950,"yoast_meta":962,"_links":965},12808,"2025-04-22T09:06:47","2025-04-22T07:06:47",{"rendered":849},"http:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.melkweg.hu\u002F?p=12808","2025-04-22T13:09:28","2025-04-22T11:09:28","technologies-that-will-shape-the-future-of-cancer-care","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-that-will-shape-the-future-of-cancer-care",{"rendered":855},"13 Technologies That Will Shape The Future Of Cancer Care",{"rendered":857,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer is \u003C\u002Fspan>a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Ffact-sheets\u002Fdetail\u002Fcancer\" target=\"_blank\">leading cause of death worldwide\u003C\u002Fa>, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths annually, or nearly one in six deaths\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It poses a physical, emotional and financial burden on individuals, families, societies and governments.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer research is one of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-digital-health-future-of-oncology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">most significant areas of research\u003C\u002Fa> in healthcare worldwide. The inventions that led to the rapid COVID-19 vaccine developments originally were aimed at curing cancer – \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmrna-vaccines-from-tackling-pandemic-to-treating-cancer\" target=\"_blank\">the mRNA technology\u003C\u002Fa>, for example. Today, it has become a forward-looking concept for cancer immunotherapy, and researchers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmolecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com\u002Farticles\u002F10.1186\u002Fs12943-021-01335-5\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expect the field to grow\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> convincingly in the future. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three essential levels in cancer care are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevention and diagnosis, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treatment,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and monitoring of the disease\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>can help beat cancer for good. The technologies we list below are separated according to these phases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Prevention and diagnosis \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer diagnosis must be early and accurate. Many cancer types cannot yet be detected early enough, while others are caught in time but treated too severely. This notion requires excellent healthcare facilities, new diagnosis technologies, and the proactivity of patients. We’ll see the following fields to earn additional momentum in the coming years.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Liquid biopsy\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fpublications\u002Fdictionaries\u002Fcancer-terms\u002Fdef\u002Fliquid-biopsy\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liquid biopsy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the analysis of tumours using biomarkers circulating in fluids such as the blood. It can be used for the early detection of cancer. During cancer treatments, re-biopsies are needed to adjust the treatment plan. It means taking a new sample from the ever-changing tumour to define the next step of the therapy. With the current invasive biopsy techniques, this is a considerable challenge for patients and medical professionals alike. Fluid biopsy extracts cancer cells from a simple blood sample. The use of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Fsearch?q=liquid%20biopsy&date_range=last_year&order=relevance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biomarkers in the blood is transforming\u003C\u002Fa> cancer diagnosis \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-020-00844-5\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">already\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and I firmly believe the method should be the primary process for all biopsies where possible.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Real-time cancer diagnostics\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are multiple exciting technologies for the diagnosis of tumours during surgery. A large-scale \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F31342360\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study in 2019 found\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that over 20% of women who had breast cancer had to undergo a second operation because malignant cells had been left undetected the first time. A new tool that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.massdevice.com\u002Fthis-imaging-device-could-be-a-breakthrough-for-breast-cancer-treatment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">got the FDA breakthrough\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> device designation in October 2020 aims to solve this issue. OncoRes Medical’s imaging device provides essential intraoperative information available to surgeons during a lumpectomy. The handheld device uses AI to assist with identifying tumour and healthy tissue, thereby \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fddebaa16-b003-4ac2-b05d-06b4e7c28ad4.filesusr.com\u002Fugd\u002F611b88_f20c26e047c3496e8096ef84f0933557.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">substantially improving\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> outcomes in breast-conserving surgery and reducing repeat operations for women with breast cancer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Understanding genetic and lifestyle causes of diseases\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By getting some explicit knowledge about what genetic and environmental factors lead to the different types of cancers, including the given patient’s genetic makeup; it would be possible to catch cancer in its infancy. This requires process innovation in healthcare and more precise and specific cancer biomarkers supported by \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsearch\u002F?term=DNA%20test\" target=\"_blank\">better screening technologies\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, when I took the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fatlas-biomed-genetic-test-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlas Biomed genetic test\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, I learnt a lot about my own body and how it works, and by knowing the risk factors, I was able to design a preventive plan with my primary care physicians and my genetic counsellor. On the downside, Atlas doesn’t examine the gene variants for complex cancer risks. \u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32629\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, another company, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dante Labs \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">does so. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=HOEMj3J_BrU&t=1s\" target=\"_blank\">Their \u003C\u002Fa>DNA package contains a hereditary cancer report with risks, e.g. for colorectal or prostate cancer, but I must warn you to take these results with caution: risks and actual diseases are two different things.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Treatment\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer treatment varies from surgery and various therapies to destroy any malignant cells in the body, targeted therapies and stem cell transplants. Biomarkers can help determine what kind of therapy would work best. Precision oncology helps find the available targeted therapies. The price of new drugs is going up steeply, and personalised drugs cost even more – but they bear the promise of being more effective than generic medications. As medical and technological innovations expand cancer treatment, the possibility for super-focused drugs is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6352312\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting nearer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in oncology treatments.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Next-generation targeted therapies\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are drugs that can block cancer growth or spread by interfering with specific molecules involved in the development, progression, and spread of cancer. Such \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Ftreatment\u002Ftypes\u002Ftargeted-therapies\u002Ftargeted-therapies-fact-sheet\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">targeted therapies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are designed only to stop cancerous cells, using information about a person’s genes and proteins. Such precision drugs can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6352312\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contribute to the prevention\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, resulting in unbounded patient benefits. Next-generation targeted therapies have already gained momentum in the past couple of years. I expect the field to take off rapidly as the costs of the technology will inevitably go down as the technology will be more available, therefore more affordable.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Molecular cancer diagnostics\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Matching the right targeted therapy to the right patient based on the individual molecular genetic alterations in each cancer patient’s tumour is a promising and attractive precision oncology approach. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oncompassmedicine.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oncompass Medicine\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> uses AI-based algorithms to match genetic mutations found in patients’ tumour samples with effective targeted cancer therapies. This way, patients can receive precisely targeted treatments specific to the kind of cancerous tissue they have. Their RealTime Oncology Treatment Calculator can significantly improve the selection of the right targeted therapy for each cancer patient based on the individual molecular genetic profile of their cancer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. AI-based therapy design\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if we can extract tumour cells from blood and sequence their DNA as fast as possible, deciding on the treatment is still a struggle. No oncologist can see through the millions of studies and thousands of clinical trials by keeping all of the patient’s parameters and mutations in mind. However, artificial intelligence algorithms can. In the U.K., Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge uses \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Femea\u002Fuk-hospital-first-use-ai-cancer-treatment-tool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project InnerEye\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an AI deep-learning tool supporting the treatment of cancer patients. The AI analyses hospital data to identify tumours on patient scans. \u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI medical coding doctor, hospital, clinic, man, laptop, computer\" class=\"wp-image-51069\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And it’s amazingly reliable, cutting CT processing times and treatment planning by up to 90%. Dutch researchers developed an evolutionary algorithm with intelligent search behaviour to generate better solutions at an ever-increasing speed. The AI created \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cwi.nl\u002Fnews\u002Fblogs\u002Fai-calculates-best-treatment-plan\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“\u003Cem>better plans and more insight\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cem> than the doctors thought possible\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. In silico trials\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In principle, clinical trials take years and cost more than 2 billion dollars for every approved treatment. The number of failed drug candidates is enormous, so spending years and millions on a clinical trial is no guarantee to lead to an approved treatment. However, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis\" target=\"_blank\">the world of clinical trials is changing\u003C\u002Fa>. Trials should unquestionably use more data and AI models. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Fdigital\u002Fnow-what-the-future-of-clinical-trials-after-the-pandemic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is inevitable\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build the right skill sets to implement new technologies. Novel approaches like in silico trials with advanced biological networks, organs-on-a-chip or even network medicine will then help choose the right drug candidates within seconds.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. DNA cages\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most cancer treatments today destroy not only cancerous cells but also healthy ones. The ultimate goal is to deliver drugs only to cells that need to be treated. Using DNA cages holding medications might be the answer. Cancer cells can trigger the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiersin.org\u002Farticles\u002F10.3389\u002Ffphar.2019.01585\u002Ffull\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA cage\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to open, and thus the drug could only impact those cells, but not the healthy ones. The next level of this targeted therapy is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imperial.ac.uk\u002Fnews\u002F218893\u002Fcancer-drugs-could-delivered-molecular-cages\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">investigated\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at The Imperial College London, where researchers used light as a trigger to open the cage and release the drug inside.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Precision surgery\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgeons using surgical robots such as DaVinci are capable of performing operations with previously unachievable precision. By making the robot an extension of the surgeon’s mind and skills, operating tumours in early stages or tumours close to sensitive organs might become more feasible than ever. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-technological-future-of-surgery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgical robots today\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have 3D cameras that can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F30\u002Ftechnology\u002Frobot-surgery-surgeon.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">record operations\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stream at the same time. The robot’s added value is to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-coming-to-the-operating-room-11599786000?mod=article_inline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assist the surgeon\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in suturing, dissecting and retracting tissue, leading to more precision in surgery than ever.\u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-768x432.png\" alt=\"hospital, digital health, device, doctor TMF, cancer care\" class=\"wp-image-48231\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Monitoring and providing care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A cancer diagnosis is a traumatic event for everyone. Although patients meet their caregivers in person many times, they are often left to cope with chronic pain or powerful side effects for the rest of the treatment and recovery process. New technologies could improve their experience – as well as the experience of their loved ones around them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Embedded, implanted and digestible sensors\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, measuring health parameters at home would be a huge addition to cancer care. Measuring body temperature, for example, is key in monitoring the effects of chemotherapy. What if a sensor on the patient’s skin could constantly measure body temperature and notify the patient when the fever goes up? Digestible pillcams could be used to perform non-invasive routine checkups on the digestive system at home. Implanted sensors or digital tattoos could monitor every important vital sign, triggering an alarm to both the patient and the caregiver, so interventions can be planned as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there’s a large set of wearables \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7688381\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oncology patients could use\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for at-home monitoring of vital signs or physical activities, these devices aren’t used much for this purpose. Both studies on the issue and medical education are missing. However, embedded or implanted sensors (like in a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.contactlensjournal.com\u002Farticle\u002FS1367-0484(21)00021-7\u002Ffulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact lens\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the tear film is suited to detect cancer biomarkers) have a huge potential in the future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Measuring lab markers at home\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pandemic has pushed healthcare to use\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-rise-of-at-home-lab-tests\" target=\"_blank\"> at-home lab tests\u003C\u002Fa> more \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdiy-blood-draw-could-patients-collect-blood-at-home\" target=\"_blank\">widely\u003C\u002Fa>. During chemotherapy, blood markers, especially white blood cell count, must be checked routinely to make sure the patient’s immune system is still intact. \u003C\u002Fspan>\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\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48431\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso.png 1066w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer patients with easily compromised immune systems face more challenges in this regard when visiting busy hospitals. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthepathologist.com\u002Fsubspecialties\u002Fhome-based-tests-for-cancer-patients\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Point-of-care testing\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (POCT) can provide a viable option. At-home testing and diagnostic options will \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2020\u002F07\u002Fthe-role-of-home-based-blood-diagnostics-in-future-cancer-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep patients safe\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and their immune systems intact.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Patient networks\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Networking sites such as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.smartpatients.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SmartPatients\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (originally a cancer patient empowering site) were designed to help patients find and support each other. These channels offer a lively community where patients, families and caregivers learn from each other about treatments, clinical trials or the latest science. The feeling of community and seeing others cope with the same hardships can boost not just the mental but also the physical well-being of cancer patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13. Pain management\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer and its treatments can induce extreme, chronic pain. In the past, cancer patients were relegated to continuous, increasing doses of painkillers and opioids. Companies are now developing devices that help ease symptoms and side effects. A good example is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclinicaltrials.gov\u002Fct2\u002Fshow\u002FNCT02809846\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quell\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a wearable technology with intensive nerve stimulation clinically proven to help manage chronic pain. It’s FDA-approved and clinically proven to relieve chronic pain. Another technology, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS1524904220301168\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual reality\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can also serve cancer patients in pain reduction by distracting the patients. Although the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7226660\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">effectiveness of adjunctive therapy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not entirely measurable, respondents found the therapy to be beneficial.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cb>These technologies show a glimpse into the future – and in some cases, that future is here already. We need to keep on pushing the limits to get to a stage where the diagnosis of cancer is not a life-altering event that often brings an untimely end to a patient’s life, but at least a manageable, chronic condition\u003C\u002Fb>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\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\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":859,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We listed devices and technologies with the promise of curing cancer or transforming it into a manageable chronic disease. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",34685,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[863,864,230,729,327,328,329,731,231,232,330,865,866,331,334,5],6479,6261,507,489,[868,869,870,871,872,873,874,875,876,877,878,879,880,344,881,882,883,884,885,886,887,888,889,890],7175,1463,821,7177,163,6999,7179,259,7157,260,7161,7163,7165,7167,567,7169,606,7171,976,6041,658,7173,1137,[742,743,352,80,353,354,355],[],[894,358,895,364,896,897,898,899],1621,1841,2255,2947,2967,5499,[901,53,91,92,93,94,95,902,903,244,751,371,372,373,753,245,246,374,904,905,375,378,98,906,907,908,909,910,911,912,913,914,915,916,917,918,387,919,920,921,922,923,924,925,926,927,928,762,763,394,107,395,396,397],"post-12808","category-covid-19","category-forecast","category-nanotechnology","category-personalized-medicine","tag-dna-cages","tag-atlas-biomed","tag-a-i","tag-precision-surgery","tag-cancer-2","tag-mrna","tag-quell","tag-genetic-testing","tag-poct","tag-genetics","tag-joe-biden","tag-cancer-moonshot","tag-barack-obama","tag-fluid-biopsy","tag-in-silico-trials","tag-targeted-therapies","tag-prevention","tag-molecular-diagnostics","tag-biomarkers","tag-covid-19","tag-oncology","tag-oncompass","tag-dante-labs",{"id":860,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":930,"media_type":110,"media_details":931,"post":948,"source_url":949},"The future of cancer care",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":932,"sizes":933,"image_meta":947},"2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01.png",{"medium":934,"large":937,"thumbnail":940,"medium_large":943,"1536x1536":944},{"file":935,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":936},"tmf_article_273-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-370x208.png",{"file":938,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":939},"tmf_article_273-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-768x432.png",{"file":941,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":942},"tmf_article_273-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-150x150.png",{"file":938,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":939},{"file":945,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":946},"tmf_article_273-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},34659,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"related_posts_footer":951,"related_posts":16,"related_books":955,"key_takeaways":957},[952,953,954],24858,51747,51875,[561,430,956],24764,[958,960],{"title":959},"\u003Cp>Early and precise cancer detection is being revolutionized through innovations like liquid biopsy and AI-powered tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":961},"\u003Cp>These technologies are pushing towards making cancer a chronic, rather than life-ending, condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":963,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":964,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":853},"13 Technologies That Will Shape The Future of Cancer Care","The devices and technologies with the promise of curing cancer or transforming it into a manageable chronic disease. Here are 13 promising technologies.",{"self":966,"collection":971,"about":973,"author":975,"replies":977,"version-history":980,"predecessor-version":984,"wp:featuredmedia":988,"wp:attachment":991,"wp:term":994,"curies":1005},[967],{"href":968,"targetHints":969},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808",{"allow":970},[27],[972],{"href":171},[974],{"href":174},[976],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[978],{"embeddable":41,"href":979},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=12808",[981],{"count":982,"href":983},40,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808\u002Frevisions",[985],{"id":986,"href":987},58693,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808\u002Frevisions\u002F58693",[989],{"embeddable":41,"href":990},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34685",[992],{"href":993},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=12808",[995,997,999,1001,1003],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":996},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=12808",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":998},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=12808",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1000},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=12808",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1002},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=12808",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1004},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=12808",[1006],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1008,"date":1009,"date_gmt":1010,"guid":1011,"modified":1013,"modified_gmt":1014,"slug":1015,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1016,"title":1017,"content":1019,"excerpt":1021,"author":61,"featured_media":1023,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1024,"categories":1025,"tags":1026,"project_category":1027,"contact_email_category":1028,"yst_prominent_words":1029,"class_list":1033,"better_featured_image":1035,"acf":1059,"yoast_meta":1065,"_links":1067},58097,"2024-10-31T11:16:07","2024-10-31T10:16:07",{"rendered":1012},"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":1018},"10 Promising Advanced Healthcare Technologies In Practice",{"rendered":1020,"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":1022,"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},[68,326,69,329,332,5],[],[],[],[1030,1031,83,517,358,238,1032,748,360],1735,1739,1709,[1034,53,91,92,93,94,95,96,370,97,373,376,98],"post-58097",{"id":1023,"alt_text":1036,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":110,"media_details":1037,"post":1057,"source_url":1058},"Top medical technologies",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1038,"sizes":1039,"image_meta":1056},"2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies.png",{"medium":1040,"large":1043,"thumbnail":1046,"medium_large":1049,"1536x1536":1050,"2048x2048":1053},{"file":1041,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1042},"top-technologies-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-370x208.png",{"file":1044,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1045},"top-technologies-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png",{"file":1047,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1048},"top-technologies-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-150x150.png",{"file":1044,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1045},{"file":1051,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1052},"top-technologies-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-1536x864.png",{"file":1054,"width":784,"height":785,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1055},"top-technologies-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},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":1060,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1061,1063],{"title":1062},"\u003Cp>Technologies that were only concepts some years ago are now real options to be used in healthcare practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1064},"\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":1066,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1016},"10 Promising Advanced Healthcare Technologies In Practice - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1068,"collection":1073,"about":1075,"author":1077,"replies":1079,"version-history":1082,"predecessor-version":1085,"wp:featuredmedia":1089,"wp:attachment":1092,"wp:term":1095,"curies":1106},[1069],{"href":1070,"targetHints":1071},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097",{"allow":1072},[27],[1074],{"href":171},[1076],{"href":174},[1078],{"embeddable":41,"href":177},[1080],{"embeddable":41,"href":1081},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58097",[1083],{"count":686,"href":1084},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097\u002Frevisions",[1086],{"id":1087,"href":1088},58123,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58097\u002Frevisions\u002F58123",[1090],{"embeddable":41,"href":1091},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F25448",[1093],{"href":1094},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58097",[1096,1098,1100,1102,1104],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1097},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58097",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1099},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58097",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1101},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58097",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1103},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58097",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1105},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58097",[1107],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1109,"date":1110,"date_gmt":1111,"guid":1112,"modified":1114,"modified_gmt":1115,"slug":1116,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1117,"title":1118,"content":1120,"excerpt":1122,"author":61,"featured_media":1124,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1125,"categories":1126,"tags":1127,"project_category":1128,"contact_email_category":1129,"yst_prominent_words":1130,"class_list":1133,"better_featured_image":1135,"acf":1169,"yoast_meta":1177,"_links":1179},58023,"2024-10-17T10:00:00","2024-10-17T08:00:00",{"rendered":1113},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58023&_wpnonce=b04642aa42&status=auto-draft&type=post","2024-10-14T10:37:29","2024-10-14T08:37:29","4-practical-technologies-aiding-patients-getting-through-medical-procedures","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F4-practical-technologies-aiding-patients-getting-through-medical-procedures",{"rendered":1119},"4 Practical Technologies Helping Patients Get Through Medical Procedures",{"rendered":1121,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>At some point in our lives, we’ve all been a patient; and the journey to recovery is not always the most pleasant or comfortable. Most of us can probably relate to, or at least sympathise with, the anxiety of having to undergo a surgical procedure or the prospect of extended hospital stays. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To address such concerns, researchers have been investigating the assistance of technology to ease the patient journey. This piqued our interest to investigate further and, in this article, we collected some of the most promising digital health approaches for such ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Tuning down discomfort during surgeries with noise-cancelling headphones\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You might already own noise-cancelling headphones but they might have uses other than entertainment. When used by patients undergoing surgeries, such headphones can have beneficial effects.\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\u002F10\u002FANC-headphones-for-surgery-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58025\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FANC-headphones-for-surgery-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FANC-headphones-for-surgery-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FANC-headphones-for-surgery.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headphonesty.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even if patients are under general anaesthesia during surgeries, their auditory cortex is still active; meaning they can still register sound. Ambient noise pollution in surgical rooms \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headphonesty.com\u002F2024\u002F09\u002Fanc-headphones-reduce-pain-speed-recovery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can influence\u003C\u002Fa> patients’ stress level. With noise-cancelling headphones, studies have shown \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS1089947223009395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improved physiological parameters\u003C\u002Fa>. In some cases, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS0952818023002362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the equipment even reduced\u003C\u002Fa> postoperative opioid consumption; indicating a reduction in postoperative pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even in surgeries not involving anaesthesia, noise-cancelling headphones were found to be beneficial. Patients wearing them and listening to music were found to have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8991527\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significantly less\u003C\u002Fa> intraoperative anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Virtual reality in the intensive care unit\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Virtual reality (VR) is a promising technology that has been adopted in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">various aspects of healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. However, one use case that has often been overlooked is VR’s use in the intensive care unit (ICU). The technology can “teleport” patients into relaxing environments to help their recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, at \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wuft.org\u002Fhealthscience\u002F2019-10-18\u002Fvirtual-reality-dreams-helps-patients-cope-in-icu\" target=\"_blank\">UF Health Shands Hospital in Florida\u003C\u002Fa>, VR headsets and noise-cancelling headphones have been used to virtually transport ICU patients to remote beaches and hillsides. Once in the virtual, peaceful location, the patients undergo guided meditation to relax and relieve themselves of stress.\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\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"5 Ways Medical Virtual Reality Is Already Changing Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-26013\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F136_tmf-01-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some ICU patients, admitted after medically-induced coma, can suffer from post intensive care syndrome as they regain consciousness in an unfamiliar environment. This relatively under-researched side effect can affect \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\">up to 60% of ex-ICU patients\u003C\u002Fa>. Their complaints include anxiety, recurring nightmares, fatigue and cognitive problems. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To tackle this issue, 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 employed VR technology\u003C\u002Fa>. With the help of VR headsets, virtual medical staff walk patients through their current environment and how things work in an ICU. This can ease the process of patients waking up in ICU wards and reduce the associated anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Video games to play through recovery\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Video games or video game concepts have found \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F4-examples-of-merging-gaming-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a home in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. The concept of gamification has been adopted by health trackers to motivate users in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Cooperative games have been shown to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC3391574\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aid healthcare professionals\u003C\u002Fa> in relieving stress and promoting teamwork \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For paediatric patients, Hopelab \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhopelab.org\u002Fcase-study\u002Fre-mission\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has developed games\u003C\u002Fa> aimed at improving cancer treatment adherence and self-efficacy. Their freely available games mirror real-world chemotherapeutic strategies to help inform patients about the treatments and their functioning. Studies have further shown \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpublications.aap.org\u002Fpediatrics\u002Farticle-abstract\u002F122\u002F2\u002Fe305\u002F73051\u002FA-Video-Game-Improves-Behavioral-Outcomes-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improved behavioural outcomes\u003C\u002Fa> with video game intervention among younger cancer patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"642\" height=\"353\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002Fvideo-game-research.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29347\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Frapidlearninginstitute.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Video games can be beneficial for older patients too. Researchers from Ohio State College of Medicine have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjamanetwork.com\u002Fjournals\u002Fjamasurgery\u002Ffullarticle\u002F2772853\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">devised a video game-based approach\u003C\u002Fa> to reduce postoperative delirium. The latter refers to the onset of confusion following major surgery that involved anaesthesia. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a randomised controlled trial for their approach, the researchers had patients over 60 play a game on a tablet for one hour per day before undertaking a scheduled major surgery. The game was designed to stimulate their memory, speed, attention, flexibility and problem solving abilities. Those who gamed regularly were found to have their risk of postoperative delirium \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dailymail.co.uk\u002Fsciencetech\u002Farticle-8939167\u002FPlaying-video-games-major-surgery-prevents-delirium-helps-speed-recovery-study-finds.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reduced by over 60%\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Virtual scenes to facilitate paediatric procedures \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Iatrophobia is the technical term for the fear of doctors or medical procedures. It is especially common among children aged \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ynhh.org\u002Farticles\u002Fafraid-of-doctors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">between 6 months and 4-years-old\u003C\u002Fa>. In addition to being an unpleasant experience to the child and parent, it can make paediatric procedures such as collecting blood or administering vaccinations challenging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One way to address this is to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F35712230\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">relax and distract patients\u003C\u002Fa>. Digital health company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpillovr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PilloVR\u003C\u002Fa> has taken the technological route for this endeavour with the help of VR technology. Their solution involves providing paediatric patients VR headsets to view bespoke, immersive content. In the form of animated adventures, children can overcome their fear of doctors while also viewing educational content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"785\" data-id=\"58031\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-headset-768x785.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58031\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-headset-768x785.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-headset.jpg 1253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"58029\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-children-medical-visit-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58029\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-children-medical-visit-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FpilloVR-children-medical-visit.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“When we introduced PilloVR, it was like a game-changer for [paediatric nurses],” Sergey Shayakhmetov, CEO of PilloVR, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fpillovr-helps-go-113217826\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">told The Medical Futurist in an interview\u003C\u002Fa>. “The kids became calmer and more cooperative, which made the nurses’ jobs so much easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Shayakhmetov even believes that VR is going to become a standard part of paediatric healthcare in the next decade. “It won’t just be used for distraction during procedures,” he added. “I think we’ll see it applied in areas like patient education, physical therapy, and even mental health support. VR has the potential to make healthcare experiences more interactive and less intimidating for kids.”\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=\"PilloVR Product\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FvIcwyC-2bI0?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>These examples showcase the potential of digital health technologies to improve the patient experience. They can help patients undergo medical procedures with less pain and less reliance on drugs, while they get better faster. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We also expect such options to become more commonplace as we progress through the digital health era; and more examples might even arise. If you have any anecdotes or promising technologies to share, be sure to let us know about them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1123,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>At some point in our lives, we’ve all been a patient; and the journey to recovery is not always the most pleasant or comfortable. Most […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58041,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[329,5],[],[],[],[1131,367,358,85,87,519,1132],5315,5309,[1134,53,91,92,93,94,95,373,98],"post-58023",{"id":1124,"alt_text":1136,"caption":64,"description":1136,"media_type":110,"media_details":1137,"post":1109,"source_url":1168},"Surgery and headphone",{"width":1138,"height":1139,"file":1140,"filesize":1141,"sizes":1142,"image_meta":1166},3000,1687,"2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431.png",1467997,{"medium":1143,"large":1147,"thumbnail":1151,"medium_large":1155,"1536x1536":1156,"2048x2048":1160},{"file":1144,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1145,"source_url":1146},"tmf_article_431-370x208.png",39854,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431-370x208.png",{"file":1148,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1149,"source_url":1150},"tmf_article_431-768x432.png",121293,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431-768x432.png",{"file":1152,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1153,"source_url":1154},"tmf_article_431-150x150.png",17379,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431-150x150.png",{"file":1148,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1149,"source_url":1150},{"file":1157,"width":138,"height":139,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1158,"source_url":1159},"tmf_article_431-1536x864.png",389883,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431-1536x864.png",{"file":1161,"width":1162,"height":1163,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1164,"source_url":1165},"tmf_article_431-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,652001,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":1167},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002Ftmf_article_431.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":1170,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1171,1173,1175],{"title":1172},"\u003Cp>The way to recovery isn’t always the most pleasant or comfortable one; but technological assistance can ease the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1174},"\u003Cp>New approaches such as using noise-cancelling headphones during surgeries, virtual reality headsets in the ICU and playing video games to aid in cancer treatment adherence and self-efficacy show promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1176},"\u003Cp>With the assistance of such technologies, patients can undergo medical procedures with less pain, with less reliance on drugs and can even get better faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1178,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1117},"4 Practical Technologies Helping Patients Get Through Medical Procedures - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1180,"collection":1185,"about":1187,"author":1189,"replies":1191,"version-history":1194,"predecessor-version":1197,"wp:featuredmedia":1201,"wp:attachment":1204,"wp:term":1207,"curies":1218},[1181],{"href":1182,"targetHints":1183},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58023",{"allow":1184},[27],[1186],{"href":171},[1188],{"href":174},[1190],{"embeddable":41,"href":177},[1192],{"embeddable":41,"href":1193},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58023",[1195],{"count":686,"href":1196},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58023\u002Frevisions",[1198],{"id":1199,"href":1200},58043,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58023\u002Frevisions\u002F58043",[1202],{"embeddable":41,"href":1203},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58041",[1205],{"href":1206},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58023",[1208,1210,1212,1214,1216],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1209},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58023",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1211},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58023",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1213},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58023",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1215},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58023",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1217},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58023",[1219],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1221,"date":1222,"date_gmt":1223,"guid":1224,"modified":1226,"modified_gmt":1227,"slug":1228,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1229,"title":1230,"content":1232,"excerpt":1234,"author":501,"featured_media":1236,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1237,"categories":1238,"tags":1239,"project_category":1246,"contact_email_category":1247,"yst_prominent_words":1248,"class_list":1258,"better_featured_image":1266,"acf":1287,"yoast_meta":1299,"_links":1302},14811,"2024-07-18T09:30:00","2024-07-18T07:30:00",{"rendered":1225},"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":1231},"The Technological Future Of Surgery",{"rendered":1233,"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":1235,"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",34403,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,69,329,730,232,330,332,5],[738,740,1240,76,1241,507,1242,1243,1244,510,1245,77],144,205,377,519,423,625,[742,743,352,80,354],[],[364,1249,1250,1251,1252,367,1253,1254,1255,360,1256,1031,1257,239],2133,2145,2389,2405,3201,1721,3229,3825,1787,[1259,53,91,92,93,94,95,244,97,373,752,246,374,376,98,759,761,1260,104,1261,524,1262,1263,1264,527,1265,105,762,763,394,107,396],"post-14811","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-diagnostics","tag-robotics-2","tag-gc4","tag-surgery","tag-surgical-robot",{"id":1236,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1267,"media_type":110,"media_details":1268,"post":1285,"source_url":1286},"The future of surgery robot robotic robotic-assisted TMF ",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1269,"sizes":1270,"image_meta":1284},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01.png",{"medium":1271,"large":1274,"thumbnail":1277,"medium_large":1280,"1536x1536":1281},{"file":1272,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1273},"tmf_article_267-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-370x208.png",{"file":1275,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1276},"tmf_article_267-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-768x432.png",{"file":1278,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1279},"tmf_article_267-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-150x150.png",{"file":1275,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1276},{"file":1282,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1283},"tmf_article_267-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},34359,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_267-01.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1288,"subtitle":64,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1291,"key_takeaways":1292},[1289,1290],17884,24354,[149,431],[1293,1295,1297],{"title":1294},"\u003Cp>Technological advancements, including robotics, AI, and digital health, will fundamentally transform the surgical profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1296},"\u003Cp>To preserve the human component, surgeons may need to place greater emphasis on doctor-patient relationships, communication, and empathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1298},"\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":1300,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1301,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1229},"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":1303,"collection":1308,"about":1310,"author":1312,"replies":1314,"version-history":1317,"predecessor-version":1321,"wp:featuredmedia":1325,"wp:attachment":1328,"wp:term":1331,"curies":1342},[1304],{"href":1305,"targetHints":1306},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811",{"allow":1307},[27],[1309],{"href":171},[1311],{"href":174},[1313],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1315],{"embeddable":41,"href":1316},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14811",[1318],{"count":1319,"href":1320},43,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811\u002Frevisions",[1322],{"id":1323,"href":1324},57055,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14811\u002Frevisions\u002F57055",[1326],{"embeddable":41,"href":1327},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34403",[1329],{"href":1330},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14811",[1332,1334,1336,1338,1340],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1333},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14811",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1335},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14811",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1337},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14811",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1339},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14811",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1341},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14811",[1343],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1345,"date":1346,"date_gmt":1347,"guid":1348,"modified":1350,"modified_gmt":1351,"slug":1352,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1353,"title":1354,"content":1356,"excerpt":1358,"author":501,"featured_media":1360,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1361,"categories":1362,"tags":1365,"project_category":1371,"contact_email_category":1372,"yst_prominent_words":1373,"class_list":1380,"better_featured_image":1389,"acf":1410,"yoast_meta":1424,"_links":1426},32197,"2023-11-21T10:00:00","2023-11-21T09:00:00",{"rendered":1349},"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":1355},"Will We All Have To Become Biologically Enhanced Superhumans?",{"rendered":1357,"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":1359,"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},[864,230,69,1363,729,1364,327,328,731,231,638,330,332,333,5],511,506,[1366,1367,1368,1369,1370],231,639,1120,1332,6525,[80,355],[],[367,1374,748,1375,1376,1377,1378,1379,365],1681,2017,2215,2329,2541,3347,[1381,53,91,92,93,94,95,903,244,97,1382,751,1383,371,372,753,245,648,374,376,377,98,1384,1385,1386,1387,1388,107,397],"post-32197","category-bioethics","category-cyborgization","tag-exoskeleton","tag-brain-computer-interface","tag-bci","tag-transhumanism","tag-neuralink",{"id":1360,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1390,"media_type":110,"media_details":1391,"post":1408,"source_url":1409},"Becoming superhuman ",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1392,"sizes":1393,"image_meta":1407},"2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01.png",{"medium":1394,"large":1397,"thumbnail":1400,"medium_large":1403,"1536x1536":1404},{"file":1395,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1396},"tmf_article_236-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-370x208.png",{"file":1398,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1399},"tmf_article_236-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-768x432.png",{"file":1401,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1402},"tmf_article_236-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-150x150.png",{"file":1398,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1399},{"file":1405,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1406},"tmf_article_236-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},32095,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_236-01.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_posts_footer":1411,"related_posts":16,"related_books":1415,"key_takeaways":1417},[1412,1413,1414],53187,52933,53089,[1416,956,150],24765,[1418,1420,1422],{"title":1419},"\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":1421},"\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":1423},"\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":1355,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1425,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1353},"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":1427,"collection":1432,"about":1434,"author":1436,"replies":1438,"version-history":1441,"predecessor-version":1445,"wp:featuredmedia":1449,"wp:attachment":1452,"wp:term":1455,"curies":1466},[1428],{"href":1429,"targetHints":1430},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197",{"allow":1431},[27],[1433],{"href":171},[1435],{"href":174},[1437],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1439],{"embeddable":41,"href":1440},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=32197",[1442],{"count":1443,"href":1444},45,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197\u002Frevisions",[1446],{"id":1447,"href":1448},53721,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32197\u002Frevisions\u002F53721",[1450],{"embeddable":41,"href":1451},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F32183",[1453],{"href":1454},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=32197",[1456,1458,1460,1462,1464],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1457},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=32197",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1459},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=32197",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1461},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=32197",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1463},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=32197",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1465},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=32197",[1467],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1469,"date":1470,"date_gmt":1471,"guid":1472,"modified":1474,"modified_gmt":1475,"slug":1476,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1477,"title":1478,"content":1480,"excerpt":1482,"author":501,"featured_media":1484,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1485,"categories":1486,"tags":1487,"project_category":1491,"contact_email_category":1492,"yst_prominent_words":1493,"class_list":1503,"better_featured_image":1508,"acf":1526,"yoast_meta":1532,"_links":1534},50833,"2023-05-16T10:00:00","2023-05-16T08:00:00",{"rendered":1473},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=50833&_wpnonce=be62a7c230&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-07-20T14:18:08","2023-07-20T12:18:08","me-and-my-digital-twin-i-have-a-brand-new-deepfake-avatar","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fme-and-my-digital-twin-i-have-a-brand-new-deepfake-avatar",{"rendered":1479},"Me And My Digital Twin: I Have A Brand New Deepfake Avatar",{"rendered":1481,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>I’ve previously written about the impending era of deep fake medical videos and how to spot if you’re talking to a deep fake\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-to-spot-if-your-remote-care-physician-is-an-a-i\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> physician\u003C\u002Fa> (or a digital avatar) instead of a flash-and-bone one. As we discussed back then, synthetic healthcare workers will arrive eventually, as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.projecthope.org\u002Fthe-global-health-worker-shortage-10-numbers-to-note\u002F04\u002F2022\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the number of missing doctors, nurses\u003C\u002Fa> and other medical personnel \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fhealth-topics\u002Fhealth-workforce#tab=tab_1\" target=\"_blank\">will only increase\u003C\u002Fa> globally in the coming decades. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It was also widely discussed on our platforms that with the rapid development of various AI algorithms, we can soon find ourselves in a situation where \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedpalm-new-ai-medical-chatbots-will-soon-be-better-than-waiting-for-a-doctor\" target=\"_blank\">dealing with a medical AI chatbot\u003C\u002Fa> will provide less risk than waiting for an appointment with a human doctor. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just to refreshen the memories, when trying to spot a deep fake human, look for unnatural eye movements, unnatural facial expressions, hair, teeth or other small details that don’t look real and blurring or misalignment – especially around the edges of the person. Practising our deepfake-catching tricks might become a handy skill in the mid-term future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But back to our topic: recently, I was approached by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapp.synthesia.io\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Synthesia\u003C\u002Fa> with an intriguing proposal – would I be interested in creating a digital avatar? Of course, I was! The prospect was too tempting to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Initially, the plan involved me travelling to London to work with their team. However, with my own studio, crew, and equipment, including a 4K camera and a green screen, we were able to tackle the task right at The Medical Futurist HQ. The team and I compiled the necessary footage for the process without setting foot outside our studio.\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=\"Digital Avatar - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FVyoIgQoM0Tw?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>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Here is a little snippet of how I had to prepare for the creation of my digital self\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Synthesia provided me with a precise script, which I had to read out and I also received specific instructions on how to act. That was all the necessary preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Only a few days later I was granted access to a platform where I could start using my digital persona, dictate any text and have it read out by my digital avatar. The platform also allows me to incorporate any type of media, cutscene, or music into my video. It also gave me the option to choose from about 100 different languages\u002Faccents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How do I look? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At first glance, my digital avatar bears a strong resemblance to me, which is a testament to the technology’s capabilities. However, after looking at it for a few seconds, you start to feel uncomfortable. Digital Berci with a Scottish accent* is creepy – my team declared unanimously. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>(*Pardon my weird sense of humour – it was my own choice.)\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=\"Digital Avatar - Not Blinking - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F5smhkPYRmx4?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>First of all, my avatar doesn’t blink. At all. That is by far the eeriest part of the experience. Also, its gestures and emphasis points are slightly off, making it apparent that the technology isn’t quite perfect yet. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to see what a digital avatar looks like and how it functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To demonstrate this, we’ve been working on a new video that will let you decide how convincing my new avatar is – whether it’s me speaking, or my digital counterpart. After a few days, my virtual twin delivered this slightly corporate marketing message, while it has learned how to blink. \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=\"Digital Avatar - Blinking - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FeBx0gP6zkmY?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>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Blinking digital Bertalan Mesko is still fairly unsettling – the team declared\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>I already see good use cases, even in medicine\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The interesting question for us is whether this technology can be applied to medical purposes. For now, the answer is no in the case of replacing live doctor-patient interactions. The “uncanny valley” effect is too strong; the avatar lacks the ability to convey emotions and empathise, which are vital in the medical field. Therefore, at this stage, a patient would likely find a written message from their doctor without a visible avatar more comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there are already potential use cases. For instance, I can envision a doctor’s introduction video being used to create a series of educational materials, or hundreds of videos being recorded for professional development courses instead of someone spending hundreds of hours in front of cameras. It’s faster and cheaper, and if the target audience also consists of [healthcare] professionals seeking new knowledge, this medium can prove to be very efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All in all, this technology is quite new and there’s still room for improvement. Digital avatars need to advance further to overcome their current limitations, but they also hold vast potential. We will need to find their just places and work out the boundaries of how to use\u002Fnot use virtual humans. Until then, my digital avatar and I will continue our fascinating journey into the digital realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1483,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a brand-new digital avatar. Although it has creeped the hell out of my team, I already see good medical use cases. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",50851,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,5],[1240,1488,1489,1490],148,446,1121,[80],[],[360,1494,239,1495,1496,1497,1379,1498,1499,1500,1374,1501,748,1502],6097,1851,1899,3237,3479,3571,4959,5085,5623,[1504,53,91,92,93,94,95,96,98,1260,1505,1506,1507,107],"post-50833","tag-avatar","tag-virtual-world","tag-digital-avatar",{"id":1484,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1509,"media_type":110,"media_details":1510,"post":1469,"source_url":1525},"virtual avatar",{"width":1511,"height":1512,"file":1513,"filesize":1514,"sizes":1515,"image_meta":1524},720,405,"2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_virtual-avatar.png",88484,{"medium":1516,"thumbnail":1520},{"file":1517,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1518,"source_url":1519},"tmf_virtual-avatar-370x208.png","93194","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_virtual-avatar-370x208.png",{"file":1521,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1522,"source_url":1523},"tmf_virtual-avatar-150x150.png","33384","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_virtual-avatar-150x150.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_virtual-avatar.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1527,"related_posts_footer":1529,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":16},[431,562,1528],31417,[44,1530,1531],50747,50671,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1479,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1533,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1477},"I couldn't resist the opportunity to have a brand-new digital avatar. Although it has creeped the hell out of my team, I already see good medical use cases.",{"self":1535,"collection":1540,"about":1542,"author":1544,"replies":1546,"version-history":1549,"predecessor-version":1553,"wp:featuredmedia":1557,"wp:attachment":1560,"wp:term":1563,"curies":1574},[1536],{"href":1537,"targetHints":1538},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F50833",{"allow":1539},[27],[1541],{"href":171},[1543],{"href":174},[1545],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1547],{"embeddable":41,"href":1548},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=50833",[1550],{"count":1551,"href":1552},13,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F50833\u002Frevisions",[1554],{"id":1555,"href":1556},51715,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F50833\u002Frevisions\u002F51715",[1558],{"embeddable":41,"href":1559},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F50851",[1561],{"href":1562},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=50833",[1564,1566,1568,1570,1572],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1565},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=50833",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1567},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=50833",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1569},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=50833",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1571},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=50833",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1573},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=50833",[1575],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1577,"date":1578,"date_gmt":1579,"guid":1580,"modified":1582,"modified_gmt":1583,"slug":1584,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1585,"title":1586,"content":1588,"excerpt":1590,"author":501,"featured_media":1592,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1593,"categories":1594,"tags":1595,"project_category":1600,"contact_email_category":1601,"yst_prominent_words":1602,"class_list":1615,"better_featured_image":1621,"acf":1650,"yoast_meta":1655,"_links":1658},29139,"2023-02-28T10:00:00","2023-02-28T09:00:00",{"rendered":1581},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=29139&_wpnonce=31df76f8f0&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-02-27T16:50:33","2023-02-27T15:50:33","what-would-make-every-doctor-use-digital-health","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-would-make-every-doctor-use-digital-health",{"rendered":1587},"What Would Make Every Doctor Use Digital Health?",{"rendered":1589,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Here on The Medical Futurist site we often show snippets of the future we imagine for healthcare. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Four-vision\" target=\"_blank\">In this vision\u003C\u002Fa> that we often dub as a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-would-have-covid-19-taken-place-in-a-digital-health-utopia\" target=\"_blank\">utopia\u003C\u002Fa>, we envision healthcare to be invisible, seamless and preventive. COVID-19 brought us much closer to what we had foreseen (from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fget-used-to-it-remote-care-is-the-new-norm\" target=\"_blank\">telemed solutions\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-tech-here-to-stay-after-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\">robots\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fchoosing-between-life-and-death-during-covid-19-the-a-i-trolley-problem\">AI\u003C\u002Fa>), and these changes also made doctors feel the need to change. But, of course, it’s not as easy as that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital health is really quite simple: it’s healthcare through technology for both patients and medical professionals. Simplified as it can so be, it actually covers a growing field of science from wearables to patient data, robots and genomics. As we put it in a peer-reviewed paperback in 2017, “\u003Cem>under the term ‘digital health’, advanced medical technologies, disruptive innovations and digital communication have gradually become inseparable from providing best practice healthcare.\u003C\u002Fem>” To be able to catch up with technological advancements, the structure of healthcare must change. It’s an entire cultural and physical transformation of the whole healthcare sector. (Click to see our \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Finfographics\u002Fyour-healthcare-before-and-after-the-digital-health-transformation\" target=\"_blank\">infographic on the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>.) But you knew that already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The AMA Report\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The American Medical Association first \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ama-assn.org\u002Fabout\u002Fresearch\u002Fama-digital-health-care-2016-2019-study-findings\" target=\"_blank\">conducted a study\u003C\u002Fa> on physicians’ motivations and expectations for the adaptation of digital clinical tools in 2016, then repeated it in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ama-assn.org\u002Fsystem\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-02\u002Fama-digital-health-study.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ama-assn.org\u002Fsystem\u002Ffiles\u002Fama-digital-health-study.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2022\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Results of the third, 2022 study show that a growing number of doctors see a definite advantage in the use of digital tools, adoption of such tools has grown significantly among all physicians regardless of gender, specialty or age. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, this enthusiasm is quite “unevenly distributed”. While enthusiasm for virtual visits has increased significantly in the past three years, it remained mostly stagnant in other digital solutions (like remote monitoring and management, clinical decision support, patient engagement and so on). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I think it is safe to conclude that these results reflect the after-effects of the pandemic: COVID-19 has forced practices to implement telehealth solutions, and doctors learned the benefits of remote care during this forced adoption period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By 2022, some 93% of physicians claimed they see some (49%) or definitive (44%) advantage in digital health tools. This shows steady growth from survey to survey, it was 85% in 2016 and 87% in pre-pandemic 2019.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Reasons for enthusiasm have also changed, partially due to new answer options that had been added to the survey. Most physicians listed “improved clinical outcomes” and “improved work efficiency” as top motivators, 88% of doctors listed these two as very\u002Fsomewhat important.  \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: Telemedicine - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FdQ-rjGz15yM?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>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The shortest definition of telemedicine, ever.\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>#Wearenotwaiting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But patients are also not just standing there waiting on the sidelines. They started to get matters into their own hands. One of the most striking examples of how participatory activism can be successful came from the diabetes community. It was the first that organised itself at the beginning of this digital transformation. They started developing platforms, apps, and other on- and offline solutions and gathered under the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthline.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fdiabetesmine\u002Finnovation\u002Fwe-are-not-waiting#1\" target=\"_blank\">#wearenotwaiting\u003C\u002Fa> flag. Others were keen to follow, and today pioneers like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.epatientdave.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ePatient Dave\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpatientsincluded.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Lucien Engelen\u003C\u002Fa> are leading the patient movement. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After patients became active participants in their cure, companies, too, realised they need to act upon this. Digital health solutions (wearables, artificial organs, medical tricorders and many, many more from science fiction to science) started gaining momentum – and funding. And as patients couldn’t wait, companies didn’t, either. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002F0621_tmf_fom_infographics-1.png\" alt=\"\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic on the development of key trends and innovations in the process of delivering care\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even regulators followed the flow. The US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was signed into law as early as in 1996. This established the policies and procedures for privacy and security regarding personal health data. And the first device, a non-invasive, automatic glucose monitoring system, the GlukoWatch was approved by the FDA in 2001.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Barriers To The Digital Switchover In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Doctors’ work dramatically changed by the end of the 20th century. Medical professionals now spend way too much time with paperwork. And on crap electronic interfaces. In comparison, they have way too little time for the patient. But all the responsibility is theirs. These aren’t the working conditions one dreams about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And there’s more. Fundamentally, no technological innovation is made just for them. Or if it is, it is expensive, difficult to implement (like AR), and hard to use. And even if the concept is good, only a handful of skilled and well-funded doctors would have the chance of using them. (At TMF we strongly believe in these technologies though. That’s why we collected an entire set of possibilities with AR \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobert-scoble-great-thinkers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in this article\u003C\u002Fa> and introduced use cases of extended reality \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in this one\u003C\u002Fa>.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>So what’s really \u003C\u002Fstrong>needed for doctors to hop on?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What is interesting is how the same AMA report would look like if conducted in 2025. Despite the rise of remote care solutions, doctors, in some ways, have missed the connection. But it wasn’t their fault. They have, for example, never been prepared to get on at all. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s important to note the obstacles doctors face when considering the application or the use of digital tools. Firstly (and most importantly), they were not prepared for this. There are only a handful of courses around the whole world that aim at getting medical personnel ready for digital change. And this includes \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.thinkific.com\u002Fcollections\" target=\"_blank\">my own two courses\u003C\u002Fa> on the subject.\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=\"Medical Education of the 21st Century - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FsK-b79G9NKg?start=13&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>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Medical Education of the 21st Century\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Our Top Incentive Options\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Based on the study results, the AMA recognised the expressed need for support and has set up a set of key steps and best practices for physicians \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ama-assn.org\u002Famaone\u002Fama-digital-health-implementation-playbook\" target=\"_blank\">on their website\u003C\u002Fa>. However, besides a support system, there are other incentives that can, will and should support the digital shift in healthcare. Here are our five cents on the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Learn From Empowered Patients\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We believe that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3-reasons-why-patient-design-must-replace-the-patient-centricity-illusion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">patient empowerment\u003C\u002Fa>, the spread of digital health, the digital approach, and the fact that digital medicine ceased to be a faraway concept lead to a new role for physicians. Thereby the job will be just as well more rewarding as more creative and physicians would have the chance to practice the art of medicine like never before. It’s easier in fields where the relationship is close, like in primary care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What’s needed to achieve this?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>Real-world examples and partnership. The experiences of digital doctors (like my own GP, Dr. Réka Vernes or Bryan Vartabedian) set a great example for others. Good cooperation between doctors and patients where e-patients don’t demand but assist the transition. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Government Incentives Through Healthcare Policies\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Direct support from governments is incredibly important in taking healthcare to the 21st century. Take a look at the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdanish-digital-health-strategy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Danish digital health\u003C\u002Fa> strategy, for example. Theirs is one of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsundhedsdatastyrelsen.dk\u002Fda\u002Fenglish\u002Fdigital_health_solutions\u002Fdigital_health_strategy#:~:text=The%20Danish%20strategy%20for%20digital,coherent%20and%20trustworthy%20healthcare%20network.\" target=\"_blank\">most forward-looking examples\u003C\u002Fa> of a government-supported objective, transforming patients’ and doctors’ lives for the better. Their citizens have full access to their health data – and all medical data is handled by the government (which, not inseparably, enjoys one of the highest levels of citizen trust in the world). Germany’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthese-8-countries-could-put-together-the-worlds-most-advanced-healthcare-system\" target=\"_blank\">DiGA system\u003C\u002Fa> is also a great example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What’s needed to achieve this?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>Incentives by each government to help physicians in the shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002FDigital-Data-In-Health-768x480.jpg\" alt=\"Danish digital health\" class=\"wp-image-23022\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002FDigital-Data-In-Health-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002FDigital-Data-In-Health-512x320.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002FDigital-Data-In-Health.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.emaze.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-to-prepare-the-future-generation-of-physicians\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Guidance From Medical Associations As Motivation\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical organisations like the AMA play a huge role in professional motivation. For example, their guidelines on the use of AI for physicians also set a gold standard for doctors. With this, among other objectives, the AMA wanted doctors to get involved in the development of healthcare AI and encourage patient and physician education on the potentials and limitations of AI, bearing in mind that the emerging, carefully designed AI tools and solutions are user friendly and safe for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What’s needed to achieve this?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>Evidence. Publications, guidelines from professional organisations or governmental bodies will mean motivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Significantly Improve Working Conditions\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Typing memos about patient-doctor encounters is extremely time-consuming. Doctors spend a great amount of time with administration tasks, but digital technology can change that, too. Artificial intelligence-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvoice-to-text-technologies-shape-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">voice-to-text technology\u003C\u002Fa> can help. While the doctor and the patient speak, this voice assistant puts down the interpreted text into the relevant columns in the EHRs. With less time on paperwork, doctors will have a better, more rewarding workday. They will be able to provide better quality care, have more time with patients and even share responsibility. And, most importantly, they could concentrate on what they are most qualified for: healing patients with care and empathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What’s needed to achieve this?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>Accessible digital tools (like voice-over-text solutions) and support systems as well as platforms for learning and experience sharing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Embrace the use of digital health and AI\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital health is a cultural transformation of healthcare, and it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedpalm-new-ai-medical-chatbots-will-soon-be-better-than-waiting-for-a-doctor\" target=\"_blank\">is happening\u003C\u002Fa> and won’t stop. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F7-medical-technologies-we-are-looking-forward-to-seeing-more-in-2023\" target=\"_blank\">New devices\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fambient-intelligence-and-emotion-ai-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">solutions\u003C\u002Fa> arrive by the day. While I said multiple times that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-potential-medical-use-cases-for-chatgpt\" target=\"_blank\">AI\u003C\u002Fa> (and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-an-a-i-based-skin-checking-app-can-work-with-a-national-healthcare-system\" target=\"_blank\">digital health tools\u003C\u002Fa>) will not replace doctors, I also stick by my opinion that physicians using these tools will replace those who don’t. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We must keep our eyes and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhere-is-how-you-get-friendly-with-a-i-before-it-gets-to-the-office\" target=\"_blank\">minds open\u003C\u002Fa> and look at this process as opportunity and not as a threat. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgenerative-adversarial-networks-how-can-ai-learn-so-much-while-its-iq-remains-zero\" target=\"_blank\">Getting familiar with algorithms\u003C\u002Fa> and digital health devices will make doctors capable of providing better care. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What’s needed to achieve this?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Doctors should focus on how the situation of patients and their team members is changing due to the arrival of advanced tech. The question is not which technology or device we should use. It is more important to gain a general understanding of this revolution. Taking some courses on the topic and getting familiar with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41746-020-00333-z\" target=\"_blank\">the “minimal package” all physicians must know about AI\u003C\u002Fa> is a perfect way to start.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This vision can become reality. Let’s do this.\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\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F0-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28813\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F0-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F0.jpg 1142w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Vernes and Dr. Meskó\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":1591,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Healthcare professionals see and feel the need to switch to digital but often they don’t have the the tools for this shift. We collected what’d be needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",49639,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[863,230,327,328,329,730,231,232,638,330,334,5],[1596,1597,1598,1599],633,637,4471,5161,[742,743,352,80,353],[],[367,366,358,1603,1374,238,1604,360,1605,1031,1606,1607,1608,1609,1610,1611,1612,1613,365,1614],4449,5111,5141,5155,2015,2163,5163,2281,5165,2369,5167,2871,[1616,53,91,92,93,94,95,902,244,371,372,373,752,245,246,648,374,378,98,1617,1618,1619,1620,762,763,394,107,395],"post-29139","tag-survey","tag-telehealth","tag-remote-care","tag-incentives",{"id":1592,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1622,"media_type":110,"media_details":1623,"post":1577,"source_url":1649},"Atlas digital health doctor burden burnout responsibility",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1624,"filesize":1625,"sizes":1626,"image_meta":1648},"2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355.png",53873,{"medium":1627,"large":1631,"thumbnail":1635,"medium_large":1639,"1536x1536":1640,"2048x2048":1644},{"file":1628,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1629,"source_url":1630},"tmf_article_355-370x208.png","21092","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355-370x208.png",{"file":1632,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1633,"source_url":1634},"tmf_article_355-768x432.png","57724","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355-768x432.png",{"file":1636,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1637,"source_url":1638},"tmf_article_355-150x150.png","12845","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355-150x150.png",{"file":1632,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1633,"source_url":1634},{"file":1641,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1642,"source_url":1643},"tmf_article_355-1536x864.png","143725","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355-1536x864.png",{"file":1645,"width":784,"height":785,"mime-type":121,"filesize":1646,"source_url":1647},"tmf_article_355-2048x1152.png","202514","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_355.png",{"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1651,"related_posts_footer":1652,"related_posts":16},[1416,150,431],[1653,1654,154],10983,48961,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1656,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1657,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1585},"What Would Make Every Doctor Use Digital Health? - The Medical Futurist","Healthcare professionals see and feel the need to switch to digital but often they don't have the the tools for this shift. We collected what'd be needed.",{"self":1659,"collection":1664,"about":1666,"author":1668,"replies":1670,"version-history":1673,"predecessor-version":1677,"wp:featuredmedia":1681,"wp:attachment":1684,"wp:term":1687,"curies":1698},[1660],{"href":1661,"targetHints":1662},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29139",{"allow":1663},[27],[1665],{"href":171},[1667],{"href":174},[1669],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1671],{"embeddable":41,"href":1672},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=29139",[1674],{"count":1675,"href":1676},35,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29139\u002Frevisions",[1678],{"id":1679,"href":1680},49643,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29139\u002Frevisions\u002F49643",[1682],{"embeddable":41,"href":1683},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49639",[1685],{"href":1686},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=29139",[1688,1690,1692,1694,1696],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1689},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=29139",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1691},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=29139",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1693},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=29139",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1695},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=29139",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1697},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=29139",[1699],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1701,"date":1702,"date_gmt":1703,"guid":1704,"modified":1706,"modified_gmt":1707,"slug":1708,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1709,"title":1710,"content":1712,"excerpt":1714,"author":501,"featured_media":1716,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1717,"categories":1718,"tags":1719,"project_category":1728,"contact_email_category":1729,"yst_prominent_words":1730,"class_list":1736,"better_featured_image":1746,"acf":1775,"yoast_meta":1785,"_links":1788},17801,"2021-11-09T10:07:00","2021-11-09T09:07:00",{"rendered":1705},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17801","2021-11-15T10:48:17","2021-11-15T09:48:17","improve-mental-health-with-technology","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fimprove-mental-health-with-technology",{"rendered":1711},"How Can You Improve Your Mental Health With Technology",{"rendered":1713,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Technology and mental well-being might seem like profoundly antagonistic terms. However, there are excellent digital tools to help you reach mindfulness and to practice meditation. You can even use smartphone apps, virtual reality solutions and digital devices as a form of relieving stressing and achieving digital detox – as, after a while, you will be able to practice all types of anti-anxiety skills on your own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During the pandemic many organisations have warned to prepare of the biggest wave of all – a state we called “\u003Cem>depidemic\u003C\u002Fem>” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-deeper-look-into-telepsychology-during-covid-19-it-all-depends-how-you-look-at-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in our related article\u003C\u002Fa>. A worldwide scale of anxiety, loneliness and fear, associated with worrying about the virus, unemployment, social isolation and uncertainty added up to a mental state. It affects people of all ages from early childhood to the elderly, and if it can be fought and how depends on a wide range of social and psychological factors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002FEZlU9iNXkAMXch1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36801\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002FEZlU9iNXkAMXch1-1.jpg 680w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002FEZlU9iNXkAMXch1-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Still, there are certain digital solutions that can be of help and support to anyone. These are not replacing therapy sessions for those who need it; however, can offer supplementary support to it. Let us show you how you can enhance your mental and emotional health with the help of technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Related articles\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-deeper-look-into-telepsychology-during-covid-19-it-all-depends-how-you-look-at-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telepsychology During COVID-19: It All Depends On How You Look At It\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwe-used-3-devices-for-meditation-heres-what-we-found\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">We Used 3 Devices For Meditation – Here’s What We Found\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fmaking-you-more-50339540\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Music Makes You 200% More Productive – Our Patreon Interview With Will Henshall, Founder of Focus@Will\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The need for taking care of our emotional health\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“\u003Cem>Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being,\u003C\u002Fem>” – WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement on World Mental Health Day last year.  Mental health, or emotional hygiene has been thrown into the shade over the past years and that stigma only changes slowly. Somehow, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.washingtonpost.com\u002Fopinions\u002Fwhy-being-too-busy-makes-us-feel-so-good\u002F2014\u002F03\u002F14\u002Fc098f6c8-9e81-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dee9470b6116\">the culture of \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.washingtonpost.com\u002Fopinions\u002Fwhy-being-too-busy-makes-us-feel-so-good\u002F2014\u002F03\u002F14\u002Fc098f6c8-9e81-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dee9470b6116\" target=\"_blank\">busyness\u003C\u002Fa> prevents us from squeezing some time for mental health into our packed schedules. Information is pouring on us from millions of communication channels; we are connecting with hundreds of ‘friends’ on social media, we are obsessed with data\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F4358140\u002Fovercome-fomo\u002F\"> and time management slices up our days into meetings and to-do lists\u003C\u002Fa>. That has to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pressure to perform and the stress to achieve is the air every busy-bee is breathing. However, turbulent lifestyle comes with a price. No wonder so many people have mental health issues. In the US, that means one in five adults – \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mentalhealthamerica.net\u002Fissues\u002Fstate-mental-health-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than 40 million Americans\u003C\u002Fa>! \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nami.org\u002Fmhstats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One in six\u003C\u002Fa> U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. In Europe \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.euro.who.int\u002Fen\u002Fhealth-topics\u002Fnoncommunicable-diseases\u002Fmental-health\u002Fdata-and-resources\">27 percent of the population has to cope with mental \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.euro.who.int\u002Fen\u002Fhealth-topics\u002Fnoncommunicable-diseases\u002Fmental-health\u002Fdata-and-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">disorders\u003C\u002Fa>, which means 83 million struggling Europeans. In Asia, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsocial.eyeforpharma.com\u002Fcolumn\u002Fout-shadows-mental-health-asia-pacific\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prevalence of depression is 20 percent in Thailand\u003C\u002Fa>, 19.9 percent in Taiwan, 19.4 percent in Korea, 17.5 in Malaysia and 16.5 percent in China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Children are among \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fepi.org.uk\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002FEPI-PT_Young-people%E2%80%99s-wellbeing_Jan2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the hardest hit by the pandemic\u003C\u002Fa>. 9.7% of youth in the U.S. have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mhanational.org\u002Fissues\u002Fstate-mental-health-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">severe major depression\u003C\u002Fa>, compared to 9.2% last year. In Spain and Italy\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.researchgate.net\u002Fpublication\u002F340763347_Immediate_psychological_effects_of_the_COVID-19_quarantine_in_youth_from_Italy_and_Spain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> 86% of parents reported\u003C\u002Fa> changes in their children, such as difficulty concentrating and spending more time online. In the U.S., one child under 13 died of suicide nearly every five days, during \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2017\u002F08\u002F14\u002Fhealth\u002Fchild-suicides\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an examined 17 year\u003C\u002Fa> period – before COVID even appeared. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5921715\u002Findigenous-youth-suicide-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Numbers rose\u003C\u002Fa> ever since.\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\u002F05\u002Fshutterstock_619960997_360000-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36803\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fshutterstock_619960997_360000-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fshutterstock_619960997_360000-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fshutterstock_619960997_360000-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fshutterstock_619960997_360000.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: Shutterstock\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Could technology help our quest for mindfulness and mental health?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>One of the essential components of mental wellbeing is mindfulness; the way of being present in the moment and acknowledging ourselves and our environment as it is. Not as it should be or shouldn’t be, but exactly as it is.\u003C\u002Fstrong> As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2014\u002F03\u002Fmindfulness-in-the-age-of-complexity\">Ellen Langer, psychology professor dealing with mindfulness for over four decades\u003C\u002Fa>, put it, if you are mindful, “\u003Cem>it’s easier to pay attention.\u003C\u002Fem> You remember more of what you’ve done. You’re more creative. You’re able to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. You avert the danger not yet arisen.” She added, that regarding technology, multitasking or information, the important thing is how they are dealt with, how they are taken in – and not the fact that they currently have a strong presence in our everyday lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Technology is often linked to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitalresponsibility.org\u002Fhealth-and-technology\u002F\">issues such as distraction, narcissism, expectation of instant gratification – and even depression\u003C\u002Fa>, it may sound bizarre at first, but help might actually come from technology. However,  \u003Cstrong>the use of the tools of modern life are not necessarily “our enemies” in the search for mental wellbeing. In fact, they can become our helpers if used wisely\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Here are the ones The Medical Futurist recommends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Stress management and meditation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So how could a technological tool help manage stress which is induced partly by technologies? In The Medical Futurist’s experience, \u003Cstrong>you cannot really meditate or de-stress effectively with technology on the long-run. However, it is an excellent tool for taking the first steps.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It could work similarly to addictions: it might be easier for a technological society to get used to the idea of mediation and effective stress management through another digital tool, used less and less until completely losing it in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1\u003Cstrong>) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosemuse.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Muse headband\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Cstrong>brain sensing headband helps you get the most out of your meditation practice\u003C\u002Fstrong> by giving you real-time biofeedback about what is going on in your mind. The Muse is not some dystopian headset trying to alter your brain. Instead its makers, InteraXon want to train you to modify it yourself. The routine is simple. You put the Muse headset on, you complete the breathing exercises to the sound of waves (neutral), storms (bad) and tweeting birds (good) which indicate how focused and calm you are. If your mind is too active, the Muse gives you feedback to help you clear your thoughts. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbrain-sensing-tech-support-to-mindfulness-the-muse-review\" target=\"_blank\">This is our review using Muse.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After many months of using the Muse, I decided to continue my meditation sessions without its help, but the immediate feedback taught me when I’m genuinely relaxed, and it was useful to listen to my brain activities in real-time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"384\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6657-384x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22129\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6657-384x512.jpg 384w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6657-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6657.jpg 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.calm.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Calm\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>App of the year in 2017, Calm has taken the world by the storm. Within you can \u003Cstrong>learn how to be mindful, have breathing sessions to relax your mind and body, listen to calming bedtime stories before you go to sleep or watch smoothing nature scenes any time\u003C\u002Fstrong> during the day whenever you feel it’s necessary. The app also offers a large variety of meditations, such as body scan, walking, guided or unguided sessions.\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=\"The Calm App\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FfTQ9CRl_XPM?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>3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headspace.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Headspace\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The meditation app that has its own series on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=H77PL7SlI1M\" target=\"_blank\">Netflix\u003C\u002Fa> and is offered as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F12\u002Fwaze-is-rolling-out-a-new-drive-with-headspace-experience-to-make-commutes-less-stressful\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">support during driving through Waze\u003C\u002Fa>, is the best choice for anyone who wants to learn how to meditate and how to release stress even after a busy day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The daily guide only takes 10 minutes, helps focus and release anxiety, master meditation. If you get used to it, it will even help you form a beneficial habit. It has hundreds of themed sessions; you can use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fastcompany.com\u002F40561636\u002Fsix-apps-to-help-you-de-stress\">reminders or practice your weak points\u003C\u002Fa>. It’s an instant get for your mental wellbeing!\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=\"Headspace Guide To Meditation | Official Trailer | Netflix\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FH77PL7SlI1M?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>4) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=org.t2health.breathe2relax&hl=en\" target=\"_blank\">Breath2Relax app\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many mental health experts consider \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmy.clevelandclinic.org\u002Fdisorders\u002Fchronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd\u002Fhic_diaphragmatic_breathing.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">diaphragmatic breathing\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Cstrong>deep belly breathing\u003C\u002Fstrong> one of the most useful tools for stress relief. \u003Cstrong>This app helps users learn this stress management skill to decrease the body’s ‘fight-or-flight\u003C\u002Fstrong>‘\u003Cstrong> response\u003C\u002Fstrong>, and helps with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fadaa.org\u002Ffinding-help\u002Fmobile-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anxiety and Depression Association of America\u003C\u002Fa> rated the app as very good, which is a great sign. It was developed by a branch of the US military, the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ft2health.dcoe.mil\u002Fapps\u002Fbreathe2relax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Defense Health Agency\u003C\u002Fa> and was initially designed for the military community. If it works for soldiers who are constantly thrown in highly stressful situations, it should work for civilians as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17808\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fbreath2relax-1.png\" alt=\"mental health with technology\" class=\"wp-image-17808\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fbreath2relax-1.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fbreath2relax-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fbreath2relax-1-512x384.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fbreath2relax-1-333x250.png 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.learningworksforkids.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.focusatwill.com\u002F\">Focus@Will music service\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Did you notice that you can concentrate on your work assignments, on your thesis writing process or your creative work better when listening to music? The Los Angeles based company, Focus@Will, established in 2012 offers \u003Cstrong>a unique service for people who already know their attention is only flawless when the right music is on.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Based on research in neuroscience, Focus@Will promises to determine your personality type through a couple of test questions; then it will offer the appropriate music genre to improve your focus. According to their survey of 22,000 active users, focus time increased more than 200-400 percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002F50339540\" target=\"_blank\">We talked with\u003C\u002Fa> Focus@Will’s founder and CEO Will Hanshall for our Patreon page earlier this year, and he added “\u003Cem>our music is crafted to balance your mind between distraction and habituation, keeping you focused on your work.\u003C\u002Fem>”\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=\"Chillout Music for Study • Work • Focus • Concentration • 1 Hour\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F5OGJRx76zLY?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>7) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.exploredeep.com\u002F#about-deep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deep\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.exploredeep.com\u002F#about-deep\"> virtual reality app\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine that you are walking underwater: your body becomes light and translucent, your steps slower and more theatrical. The whole world seems to slow down with you. Now, imagine this scene as a point for meditation (except where you have to come to the surface for breathing). That experience is precisely what \u003Cstrong>Deep is offering you with the help of virtual reality – excluding disturbing real-world conditions.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Game designers, Owen Harris and Niki Smit, developed a VR game, where you control movements through your breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2015\u002Fmar\u002F16\u002Frezzed-festival-2015-our-favourite-games\">a customized controller strapped around your diaphragm and an Oculus Rift\u003C\u002Fa>, you dictate your movement in a low-poly underwater VR through diaphragmatic breathing. Breath in to gently rise, and out to sink to the seabed. The point is meditative, but shoals of low-poly fish add to the joy of discovery.\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=\"DEEP VR\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FqIhZhdmPQ_8?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\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fexperiences\u002Fgear-vr\u002F764544883656394\u002F\">Zen Zone virtual reality app\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Zen Zone is another \u003Cstrong>relaxation game designed by Unello Design specifically for VR.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It features two innovative relaxation sessions with beautifully relaxing music, which visualize the body and the breath in ways only possible in VR. You also get the chance to arrange your special “secret garden”, where you might find your inner peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Developer and musician Aaron Lemke leads the Texas-based design studio. Mostly interested in exploring the experiential side of VR, Unello created many of the first relaxation experience available for the Oculus Rift.\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=\"Zen Zone - Gear VR Relaxation\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FY0xNbnvTt0c?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\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9) Fitbit’s Relax app\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17814\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002F02a-relax-app-1024x576-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ffitbit.com\">Fitbit\u003C\u002Fa> has a Relax app on its Blaze and Ionic models. The app is a \u003Cstrong>breathing exercise that can last for 3 or 5 minutes and is designed to help the user slow down breathing, as well as heart rate.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It’s a quick yet still efficient exercise to find a few minutes of calmness every day. It also shows the progress you have made over time and how much you could reduce your heart rate during the exercise which guarantees that you come back to it day after day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No matter whether you use devices, apps, virtual reality or any other tools, \u003Cstrong>the important thing is to focus on your mental wellbeing at least once a day. Make time for it, give yourself a couple of minutes and pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.\u003C\u002Fstrong> On the long run, mindfulness and general wellbeing will pay off. As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2014\u002F03\u002Fmindfulness-in-the-age-of-complexity\">Ellen Langer puts it\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Cem>l\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cem>ife consists only of moments, nothing more than that. So if you make the moment matter, it all matters. You can be mindful or mindless. You can win, you can lose. The worst case is to be mindless and lose. So when you’re doing anything, be mindful, notice new things, make it meaningful to you, and you’ll prosper.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feepurl.com\u002FZejiT\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n",{"rendered":1715,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Technology and mental well-being might seem like profoundly antagonistic terms. However, there are excellent digital tools to help you reach mindfulness and to practice meditation. […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",17809,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[231,334,5],[510,1720,1721,1722,1723,1724,1725,1726,1727,508],894,895,896,897,199,898,207,899,[742,743,353],[],[1731,84,1732,365,1733,1734,748,85,1735],3485,1569,1587,1597,2563,[1737,53,91,92,93,94,95,245,378,98,527,1738,1739,1740,1741,1742,1743,1744,1745,525,762,763,395],"post-17801","tag-mental-health","tag-mental-wellbeing","tag-emotional","tag-emotional-health","tag-depression","tag-stress-management","tag-digital-health","tag-anxiety",{"id":1716,"alt_text":1747,"caption":64,"description":1748,"media_type":110,"media_details":1749,"post":1701,"source_url":1774},"TMF, mental health with technology","TMF",{"width":1750,"height":866,"file":1751,"sizes":1752,"image_meta":1772},870,"2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció.png",{"medium":1753,"large":1756,"thumbnail":1759,"medium_large":1762,"large_old_512x288":1763,"medium_old_444x250":1767},{"file":1754,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1755},"meditáció-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció-370x208.png",{"file":1757,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1758},"meditáció-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció-768x432.png",{"file":1760,"width":132,"height":132,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1761},"meditáció-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció-150x150.png",{"file":1757,"width":126,"height":127,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1758},{"file":1764,"width":332,"height":1765,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1766},"meditáció-512x288.png",288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció-512x288.png",{"file":1768,"width":1769,"height":1770,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1771},"meditáció-444x250.png",444,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció-444x250.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143,"keywords":1773},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fmeditáció.png",{"related_posts":1776,"related_posts_footer":1780,"subtitle":64,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1784},[1777,1778,1779],20908,17853,20735,[1781,1782,1783],21042,24792,26437,[1528,151],{"yoast_wpseo_title":1786,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1787,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1709},"How Can You Improve Your Mental Health With Technology - The Medical Futurist","Technology and mental well-being seem as profoundly antagonistic, but let The Medical Futurist show you how you can improve mental health with technology.",{"self":1789,"collection":1794,"about":1796,"author":1798,"replies":1800,"version-history":1803,"predecessor-version":1807,"wp:featuredmedia":1811,"wp:attachment":1814,"wp:term":1817,"curies":1828},[1790],{"href":1791,"targetHints":1792},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17801",{"allow":1793},[27],[1795],{"href":171},[1797],{"href":174},[1799],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1801],{"embeddable":41,"href":1802},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17801",[1804],{"count":1805,"href":1806},10,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17801\u002Frevisions",[1808],{"id":1809,"href":1810},36833,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17801\u002Frevisions\u002F36833",[1812],{"embeddable":41,"href":1813},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F17809",[1815],{"href":1816},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17801",[1818,1820,1822,1824,1826],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1819},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17801",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1821},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17801",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1823},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17801",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1825},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17801",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1827},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17801",[1829],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1831,"date":1832,"date_gmt":1833,"guid":1834,"modified":1836,"modified_gmt":1837,"slug":1838,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1839,"title":1840,"content":1842,"excerpt":1844,"author":501,"featured_media":1846,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1847,"categories":1848,"tags":1849,"project_category":1863,"contact_email_category":1864,"yst_prominent_words":1865,"class_list":1869,"better_featured_image":1884,"acf":1904,"yoast_meta":1910,"_links":1913},36075,"2021-09-16T12:00:00","2021-09-16T10:00:00",{"rendered":1835},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=36075&_wpnonce=b21fa60c6f&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-11-17T13:35:43","2021-11-17T12:35:43","the-top100-digital-health-companies-in-2021-by-the-medical-futurist","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-top100-digital-health-companies-in-2021-by-the-medical-futurist",{"rendered":1841},"The TOP 100 Digital Health Companies In 2021 By The Medical Futurist",{"rendered":1843,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The global digital health market continues its boom: with spectacular growth, it could \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F1092869\u002Fglobal-digital-health-market-size-forecast\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>reach $ 660bn\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> by 2025. Investors have poured an unprecedented amount of money into healthcare in 2020, reaching a \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Ftech\u002Fcovid-19-supercharged-digital-health-funding-2020-record-21-6b-invested-report\">\u003Cstrong>record-setting year\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> for digital health. Corporate, venture and even government funding had grown as startups, companies and institutions entered this new era of digital adoption.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>And, even if this adoption sometimes \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fbertalanmesko_majority-of-healthcare-orgs-conducting-less-activity-6841411056401727488-fzID\">\u003Cstrong>clashes\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> with the lack of the cultural shift in healthcare, the change is irreversible: the prospects for the future are looking grand for digital health and all the fishes that are swimming in these waters. A plethora of health startups have risen and continued to rise.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>In order to keep track of the changes and the market itself, The Medical Futurist team has decided to put the most important companies onto one giant infographic: these are the TOP100 digital health companies in 2021.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disclosure\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just like last year, we must emphasize that \u003Cstrong>we do not accept any sponsorship\u003C\u002Fstrong> or financial support. We do not have any interest or connection in any of the companies listed in the infographic either. Additionally, grouping is not done in any particular order. Rather, companies are grouped according to the technological trend they belong to the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Selection criteria and methodology\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Our analyses are based on discussions we have with actors across the digital health landscape. From startups through government authorities to prominent innovators, we determined the major features that a company venturing into digital health must possess, to hold potential in the field. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The key values we suggest are as follows:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Mindset for innovation \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Truly disruptive technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Viable business model \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Clear dedication to digital health\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36081\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftop100_2021_infographic.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Changes compared to 2020\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Obviously, there have been some changes since we made this \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-top-100-digital-health-companies-an-infographic\u002F\">list last year\u003C\u002Fa>. Some were left out, others joined the elites, and in one case, two participants (namely Ginger and Headspace) have merged and got stronger. Let’s see!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Departed:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmisfit.tech\u002F\">Misfit\u003C\u002Fa> – They are not the company they used to be. Misfit had a series of wearables made for women. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nimasensor.com\u002F\">Nima\u003C\u002Fa> – It seems that it takes more than a bite to analyse the gluten- or peanut content of your food. We wrote about Nima plenty of times and even tested their \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftesting-food-gluten-home-nima-sensor-review\">gluten-\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffighting-against-a-small-enemy-the-nima-peanut-sensor-review\">peanut sensors\u003C\u002Fa>, but the company hasn’t released anything since 2018, and there’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodforyouglutenfree.com\u002Fnima-sensor-out-of-business\u002F\">apparently\u003C\u002Fa> also a shortage in testing capsules since the company was sold in 2020.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.veritasgenetics.com\u002F\">Veritas Genetics\u003C\u002Fa> – Veritas founder George Church is one of the world’s leading geneticists, but recently the company in the U.S. has moved closer to the at-home testing market with its COVID-testing products, while its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.veritasint.com\u002Fabout-veritas\u002F\">international branch\u003C\u002Fa> (along with the founder) moved to Barcelona and puts more focus on genomics. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mavenproject.org\u002F\">Maven\u003C\u002Fa> – Featured in the remote care section, the Maven Project currently helps more than 100 clinics in 13 states. Their service gained ground during the pandemic, but we see their initial bust of creativity fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.veebot.com\u002F\">Veebot\u003C\u002Fa> – A few years ago we \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F9-exciting-medical-robot-facts\u002F\">wrote about Veebot\u003C\u002Fa> when we collected the most exciting tasks robots could do in hospitals. Veebot created a robot that could draw blood that proved to be faster and even more effective than a human in the case of difficulties. However, we hadn’t heard from the company ever since, and can only hope they’ll be back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Added:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fechonous.com\u002Fen_us\u002F\">EchoNous\u003C\u002Fa> – The company has been producing intelligent tools for healthcare since 2016, and received FDA approval of its Kosmos platform, a handheld, A.I.-led ultrasound for the clinical assessment of the heart, lungs and abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patchai.io\u002F\">PatchAI\u003C\u002Fa> – A cognitive platform focusing on patient engagement. The platform is embedding an intelligent virtual assistant with conversational frameworks for patient engagement and real-time data collection. It bridges patients and doctors during clinical trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.smarttab.co\u002F\">SmartTab\u003C\u002Fa> – A drug delivery company that’s based upon a platform technology and oral ingestible capsules. As Founder\u002FCEO Robert Niichel told us \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fgroundbreaking-47368982\">in an interview\u003C\u002Fa> “\u003Cem>when we deliver the drugs through SmartTab, we can add in monitoring systems very easily, we can communicate wirelessly and then all of those results get fed into a large database where you can then apply artificial intelligence algorithms.\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fatomlimbs.com\u002F\">AtomLimbs\u003C\u002Fa> – The San Francisco-based company is building Human Body 2.0, a breakthrough in A.I. and human-machine interface. The world’s first mind-controlled artificial arm uses the electrical signals of the user’s thoughts through the nervous system and receives these with the Atom Circle, a sensor worn as a cuff that detects the body’s nerve signals and sends them to the Atom Touch arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvocalishealth.com\u002F\">Vocalis Health\u003C\u002Fa> – Artificial intelligence to analyze voice and identify illnesses. They focus on vocal biomarkers for various voice-indicating ailments including chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions, as well as depression. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lumen.me\u002F\">Lumen\u003C\u002Fa> – Developing a more flexible metabolism helps you switch between metabolising carbs and fats effectively so as to achieve your dietary goals. It can improve your insulin sensitivity, stabilise your blood glucose level and burn more fat for energy. Lumen aims to support this for everyone (I’ve tested the device, check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcan-this-device-hack-your-metabolism-the-lumen-review\u002F\">the results here\u003C\u002Fa>).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Merged:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ginger.com\u002F\">Ginger\u003C\u002Fa>+\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headspace.com\u002F\">Headspace\u003C\u002Fa> = Headspace Health. The two companies, on-demand mental healthcare platform Giger, and leading meditation app Headspace merge into one giant holding that is valued at $3 billion with over 800 employees. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3 examples to show digital health excellence\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just like last year, we picked three companies from the TOP100 that stand out for many reasons. One of the nicest surprises came to me this year when I ditched my Fitbit and moved over (based on my readers’ recommendations) to Withings Scanwatch. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I also want to emphasise how much I believe in the coming future of digital pills: etectRX aims to advance patient medication adherence and improve ingestion tracking technology. And last but not least we need to talk about VR: this technology can do a lot and is already used extensively in pain management. AppliedVR has two of such opioid-sparing treatments, and will definitely do more in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Withings\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It took me a while to let myself be convinced of buying a Withings Scanwatch, but the experiment \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwithings-scanwatch-review\">went so well\u003C\u002Fa> I have even bought one for my wife! French company Withings produces a range of clinically-tested smart healthcare devices and trackers, such as fitness trackers and watches, including developing exciting tech devices like the world’s first wi-fi scale. Moreover, Withings has built the largest ecosystem of connected health devices with 45 technical patents and a portfolio that monitors more than 20 vital health parameters.\u003Cbr>The Medical Futurist team reviewed several Withings devices including the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwithings-scanwatch-review\u002F\">Scanwatch\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwithings-viatom-joint-review-2021\u002F\">BPM Core\u003C\u002Fa>, a blood pressure monitor with ECG and a digital stethoscope to detect cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">etectRX\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital health company\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fetectrx.com\u002F\"> etectRx\u003C\u002Fa> aims to advance patient medication adherence and improve ingestion tracking technology. The company’s flagship product, the ID-Cap System is an ingestible event marker: a gelatin capsule with an ingestible sensor that transmits signals to a wearable reader, which sends the data to a smartphone-based app and secure cloud-based server to enable reliable tracking of ingestion events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fsmart-pills-are-39593309\">In an interview\u003C\u002Fa>, the company’s CEO Harry Travis explained to us how their digital pill works in real life. “\u003Cem>EtectRx’s ID-Cap System allows patients to track how they take their medication and provide real-time confirmation of medication ingestion, right from the comfort of their homes. This allows researchers to provide remote, real-time patient monitoring during clinical trials.” \u003C\u002Fem>He also talked about how COVID-19 led to an increased interest in the company’s products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The CEO confirmed his belief in the company. “\u003Cem>We are confident that smart pills are here to stay, and etectRx will play an integral role in shaping the new future of digital pills\u003C\u002Fem>.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AppliedVR \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>VR today is at the forefront of digital pain management. Virtual reality-based therapeutic treatments that address the complexity of chronic pain are on the rise. As the first company to make virtual reality widely available in clinical care, AppliedVR leads this pack. Their software was among the first that helped \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\">pain management\u003C\u002Fa> during childbirth, and in 2020 the company became one of the first virtual reality (VR) digital therapeutics to get FDA’s breakthrough designation to treat conditions related to chronic pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>VR as a therapeutic modality has a real role to play across the medical spectrum. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fvirtual-reality-43249567\">In an interview\u003C\u002Fa> for The Medical Futurist AppliedVR CEO Josh Stack explained the company’s ambitions towards establishing a VR pharmacy in every home: “\u003Cem>We will look to quickly expand our label to other chronic pain areas such as fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. More broadly, we are establishing the clinical and commercial pathway for broad-based adoption of VRx in the homes of patients.\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002FGlobal-Digital-Health-Market-Size-768x636.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36089\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002FGlobal-Digital-Health-Market-Size-768x636.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002FGlobal-Digital-Health-Market-Size.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: Appinventiv\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion – The State of Digital Health in2021\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The rise of investments into the sectors obviously have a direct effect on the output – but it’s a double-edged sword. It gives space for long-term innovation; but it also adds a hype factor to the field that can be devastating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With such a massive amount of money available for digital health companies, businesses have multiple options on how to spend it. They can hire outstanding managers and put the investment into research, broadening the scope and gaining markets. Or, with the best will, they focus on markets, buy competitors and try to get big before some other company will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No matter what they do, it will affect our lives directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>While the digital health business world changes quickly, we hope that this curated list that we update annually can serve as a platform of relevant and positive examples for emerging companies; and set the stage for others that want to enter the digital health market.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh5>\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":1845,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The global digital health market continues its boom: with spectacular growth, it could reach $ 660bn by 2025. Investors have poured an unprecedented amount of […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",36241,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[327,328,329,730,231,232,638,331,332,334,5],[1850,1851,1852,738,78,1598,1853,1854,1855,1856,1726,1857,1366,1858,1859,870,735,1720,1860,1861,1862,1242],406,407,566,628,202,1166,4711,1450,1499,6049,286,306,308,[742,743,352,80,353,355],[],[1252,1866,1867,365,367,1374,364,1868],2935,5953,2107,[1870,53,91,92,93,94,95,371,372,373,752,245,246,648,375,376,378,98,1871,1872,1873,759,106,1619,1874,1875,1876,1877,1744,1878,1384,1879,1880,908,756,1738,1881,1882,1883,1262,762,763,394,107,395,397],"post-36075","tag-smartphone","tag-smartwatch","tag-clinical-trials","tag-medical-imaging","tag-device","tag-digital-health-technologies","tag-lab-test","tag-health-management","tag-medical-robot","tag-top100","tag-infographic","tag-medical-device","tag-medical-education",{"id":1846,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1885,"media_type":110,"media_details":1886,"post":1831,"source_url":1903},"The TOP100 digital health companies in 2021",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1887,"sizes":1888,"image_meta":1902},"2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01.png",{"medium":1889,"large":1892,"thumbnail":1895,"medium_large":1898,"1536x1536":1899},{"file":1890,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1891},"0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-370x208.png",{"file":1893,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1894},"0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-768x432.png",{"file":1896,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1897},"0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-150x150.png",{"file":1893,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1894},{"file":1900,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":1901},"0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F0916__top100_2021_infographic_header-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1905,"related_posts_footer":1906,"related_posts":16},[1416,430],[1907,1908,1909],13095,13373,35983,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1911,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1912,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1839},"The TOP 100 Digital Health Companies In 2021 By The Medical Futurist -","The TOP100 digital health companies by The Medical Futurist, – an infographic to keep track of the digital health market altogether.",{"self":1914,"collection":1919,"about":1921,"author":1923,"replies":1925,"version-history":1928,"predecessor-version":1932,"wp:featuredmedia":1936,"wp:attachment":1939,"wp:term":1942,"curies":1953},[1915],{"href":1916,"targetHints":1917},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36075",{"allow":1918},[27],[1920],{"href":171},[1922],{"href":174},[1924],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[1926],{"embeddable":41,"href":1927},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=36075",[1929],{"count":1930,"href":1931},17,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36075\u002Frevisions",[1933],{"id":1934,"href":1935},36857,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36075\u002Frevisions\u002F36857",[1937],{"embeddable":41,"href":1938},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36241",[1940],{"href":1941},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=36075",[1943,1945,1947,1949,1951],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1944},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=36075",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":1946},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=36075",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":1948},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=36075",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1950},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=36075",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1952},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=36075",[1954],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1956,"date":1957,"date_gmt":1958,"guid":1959,"modified":1961,"modified_gmt":1962,"slug":1963,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1964,"title":1965,"content":1967,"excerpt":1969,"author":501,"featured_media":1971,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1972,"categories":1973,"tags":1974,"project_category":1980,"contact_email_category":1981,"yst_prominent_words":1982,"class_list":1986,"better_featured_image":1994,"acf":2016,"yoast_meta":2022,"_links":2024},23980,"2021-08-13T15:08:38","2021-08-13T13:08:38",{"rendered":1960},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=23980&_wpnonce=39c150127c&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-08-13T15:08:39","2021-08-13T13:08:39","future-of-psychiatry","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-of-psychiatry",{"rendered":1966},"The Future of Psychiatry: Telehealth, Chatbots, and Artificial Intelligence",{"rendered":1968,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Could a chatbot, an online community, or a telepsychiatry solution offer meaningful help for people who are fighting mental health issues? Could virtual reality, artificial intelligence, or genetics appear as elements of assistance in the toolkit of medical professionals in the fields dealing with the human psyche?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>While we agree that medical fields requiring the most empathy and human touch will most probably not be swept away by new innovations, we looked thoroughly at how technology will appear in the future of psychiatry.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\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=\"The Future of Psychiatry: Telehealth, Chatbots And Virtual Reality  - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F2GVA-K8oJes?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>The human\ntouch is indispensable in fields dealing with the psyche\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2018 we started a project to map out the universe of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fimprove-mental-health-with-technology\" target=\"_blank\">mental health apps\u003C\u002Fa>. We tested 9 apps and devices altogether, with varying results. Within, we decided to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwoebothealth.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Woebot\u003C\u002Fa>, an A.I.-powered mental health chatbot to see how meaningful a conversation can be with an algorithm. While the technology is rapidly evolving, our experience didn’t quite give us the feeling of emotional support. It could not make us believe that it’s a viable alternative to a human. But the question is: should it make her believe that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The human touch is a key part of practising medicine, and regarding the field of clinical psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, psychotherapy, psychiatry, or psychiatric nursing, human connection, understanding, and empathy build such a basic foundation that it is very hard to imagine how technology could play a meaningful role in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Regardless, a plethora of smartphone apps, virtual reality and telemedical solutions, experiments for creating artificial intelligence platforms and robots for therapeutic purposes through trying to “teach them” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Falgorithms-robots-mimic-empathy\">how to mimic empathy\u003C\u002Fa> are underway, so we decided to look around how technology will appear in the future of psychiatry.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy-512x288.png\" alt=\"future of psychiatry\" class=\"wp-image-16376\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy-444x250.png 444w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fmimicking-empathy.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Mental health apps to support therapy\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many apps explicitly say that they can guide patients on their journey towards mental health and stability; some promise to guide clinicians to help their patients better. As an example for the latter, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psychiatry.org\u002Fpsychiatrists\u002Fpractice\u002Fmental-health-apps\">American Psychiatric Association created an online tool\u003C\u002Fa> to navigate psychiatrists through the bourgeoning mental health app world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>These tools range on a wide scale from harmless \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fimprove-mental-health-with-technology\">anger-soothing, meditation apps\u003C\u002Fa> through mood trackers to PTSD, stress or anxiety management instruments. These tools offer a temporary solution for people suffering from mental health troubles when a therapist is not immediately available.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Online communities with peer support\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Words of comfort, uncompromised attention, and empathy coming from members of a trusted group could work wonders. Especially when the community knows what they are talking about. Thus, online communities with peers going through the same problems could also offer tremendous help – especially in times when an offline alternative is not available. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F18percent.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">18percent\u003C\u002Fa> is a free online mental health community based on Slack, where one can receive peer-to-peer support instantly and constantly. The community offers free, 24\u002F7 support in a moderated environment, with many channels that cover various mental health issues ranging from addiction through depression, mood disorder to OCD. 18percent is an official partner of the US \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Ftrack\u002Fclick?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=47458395b4&e=d647e4d78c\">Crisis Text Line\u003C\u002Fa> and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Ftrack\u002Fclick?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=12cd6a727d&e=d647e4d78c\">National Eating Disorders Association\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other similar applications, such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftogetherall.com\u002Fen-us\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Togetherall\u003C\u002Fa> or the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fadaa.org\u002Fadaa-online-support-group\">ADAA online support group\u003C\u002Fa> also provide online spaces where people suffering from various mental health troubles can come together and talk about their problems, with or without support from trained therapists. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Mental health apps’ and online peer communities’ greatest advantage is that they offer immediate help in the middle of the night or during other periods when a psychiatrist or psychologist isn’t within reach\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Zach Schleien, Co-Founder of 18percent told The Medical Futurist that “\u003Cem>children may use bots since they may be afraid to tell their parents that they are dealing with mental health issues. People who do not have the means to pay for therapy may turn to bots as a low-cost option. Individuals who are traveling or are unable to sleep late at night may speak with a bot since the “\u003C\u002Fem>human\u003Cem>” therapist will likely be unavailable\u003C\u002Fem>”. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Telemedicine: connecting patients and therapists\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Telemedicine is also connecting those in need. Remote care solutions could work here even better than in the case of other specialties, as contrary to other fields, the patient doesn’t need a physical exam, but a meaningful conversation. Moreover, it could also mean a solution for the still prevailing stigma of “going to a therapist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Patients can schedule sessions with human coaches through smartphone apps. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.doctorondemand.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Doctor On Demand\u003C\u002Fa>, teenager-focussed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fginger.io\u002F\">Ginger\u003C\u002Fa>, or platform provider \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cloud9psych.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Cloud 9\u003C\u002Fa> make mental healthcare more accessible, connecting patients or those in crisis with mental healthcare professionals. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fitunes.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Ftalkspace-therapy\u002Fid661829386?mt=8\">Talkspace\u003C\u002Fa> connects users with licensed therapists through messaging. The service is not meant to replace real, face-to-face sessions, and the therapists are trained to tell the users if they need more or different counselling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.americanwell.com\u002Fresources\u002Fhow-childrens-omaha-improves-mental-health-access-and-outcomes-through-telehealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha\u003C\u002Fa>, which services multiple states in the U.S., provides another great example of the impact telemedicine psychiatry has on patients and providers. Children’s Omaha serves over 250,000 children, the vast majority of whom living in rural areas with limited or nonexistent access to psychiatric care. Using \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.americanwell.com\u002Fresources\u002Fhow-childrens-omaha-improves-mental-health-access-and-outcomes-through-telehealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">telepsychiatry\u003C\u002Fa>, the health system has been able to reduce follow-up no show rates by 50 percent, eliminate the psychiatrist’s 26-hour weekly windshield time, and have one psychiatrist provide care to over 600 patients in the program’s pilot year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Virtual reality against phobias\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Virtual\nreality offers another brand-new way to treat mental health problems, such as\nanxieties, fears, and phobias. The immersive environment re-creates the fearful\nsituation for patients – but it also offers them a safe place to get over their\nparanoia: they are under the control of physicians, and they can get out of the\nsimulation any time\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\n\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Spanish and American behavioural health technology company, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psious.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Psious\u003C\u002Fa> offers unique VR treatments for psychological conditions such as fear of flying, needles, various animals, public speaking, general anxiety, or agoraphobia. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.virtuallybetter.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Virtually Better\u003C\u002Fa>, the pioneering VR company founded in 1996, offers among others an exposure therapy for people suffering from anxiety disorders, specific phobias, or post-traumatic stress syndrome. Made for the mental wellbeing, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.exploredeep.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deep VR\u003C\u002Fa> is a meditative virtual reality game, controlled by breathing.\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=\"Deep Trailer\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fso1u6G4qch0?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\u002Fstore.steampowered.com\u002Fapp\u002F485270\u002FArachnophobia\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Arachnophobia\u003C\u002Fa> offers self-guided exposure therapy for people having an irrational fear of spiders. You are exposed to an increasing number of spiders in a room, and if that were not enough of a stressor, you are not allowed to move your hands or arms during the session. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.steampowered.com\u002Fapp\u002F517160\u002FRichies_Plank_Experience\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Richie’s Plank Experience\u003C\u002Fa> places you on a plank, 80 stories above ground, to tackle the fear of heights. And people who are afraid of public speaking can face the dreaded situation with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.steampowered.com\u002Fapp\u002F544880\u002FLimelight_VR\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Limelight\u003C\u002Fa>, which gives users the option of appearing in a business meeting, small classroom, or in a large hall as they give a speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Pharmacogenomics: finding the most appropriate antidepressants\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A specific strand in personalized medicine aims to revolutionize how we think about medication, which might also impact psychiatry and prescription medicine, e.g. antidepressants or antipsychotics. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC2014592\u002F\">Pharmacogenomics\u003C\u002Fa> deals precisely with this issue area. It is defined as the study of variability in drug response due to the genetic code. It argues that despite general sentiments, medications do not have the same effect on people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, inherited genetic variations (such as in cytochrome enzymes) can \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mdedge.com\u002Fpsychiatry\u002Farticle\u002F63442\u002Fpsychiatrys-future-here-here-are-6-trends-will-affect-your-practice\">influence the body’s response to drugs\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Genetic screening in clinical practice will hopefully become routine soon, enabling psychiatrists to customize drug treatment to achieve better efficacy and tolerability for each patient. This will help us adapt therapies to address genetic variations within our ethnically diverse society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics-512x288.png\" alt=\"pharmacogenomics\" class=\"wp-image-22433\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Artificial intelligence: flag signs of depression and suicidal thoughts\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A.I. can give a helping hand when it comes to the early detection of depression. The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fjournals.sagepub.com\u002Fdoi\u002Fabs\u002F10.1177\u002F2167702617691560?journalCode=cpxa\">machine learning algorithm\u003C\u002Fa> created at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville uses hospital admissions data, including age, gender, zip code, medication, and diagnostic history, to predict the likelihood of any given individual taking their own life. In trials using data \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fqz.com\u002F1367197\u002Fmachines-know-when-someones-about-to-attempt-suicide-how-should-we-use-that-information\u002F\">gathered from more than 5,000 patients who had been admitted to the hospital for either self-harm or suicide attempts\u003C\u002Fa>, the algorithm was 84 percent accurate at predicting whether someone would attempt suicide the following week, and 80 percent accurate at predicting whether someone would attempt suicide within the following two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A.I. can also \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fganeskesari\u002F2021\u002F05\u002F24\u002Fai-can-now-detect-depression-from-just-your-voice\u002F?sh=44797a7e4c8d\" target=\"_blank\">detect depression from your voice\u003C\u002Fa> – and it’s even eerily accurate. In fact, it’s twice as accurate in it than a human practitioner. “\u003Cem>There might be as many as 1,000 smartphone-based ‘biomarkers’ for depression\u003C\u002Fem>,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalxpress.com\u002Fnews\u002F2019-01-depression-apps-teen-angst.html\">said Dr. Thomas Insel\u003C\u002Fa>, former head of the National Institute of Mental Health and now a leader in the smartphone psychiatry movement. Researchers are testing apps that use artificial intelligence to try to predict depression episodes or potential self-harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s the future of mental health management via technologies?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2020, Brad Pierce from Virginia Commonwealth University investigated the magnitude of the changes in mental health due to COVID-19. “\u003Cem>Telepsychology is different from in-person therapy. Each method has advantages and disadvantages over the other\u003C\u002Fem>” – we quoted Pierce in our article on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-deeper-look-into-telepsychology-during-covid-19-it-all-depends-how-you-look-at-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Telepsychology During COVID-19.\u003C\u002Fa> As of today, telepsychology is not a “thing” but an everyday choice for patients and professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Psychiatry, clinical psychology, and all the other medical fields dealing with mental health issues will always remain a personal profession. An intimate doctor-patient relationship cannot be built through chatbots, smartphones, or telemedical screens in these fields, although these solutions could alleviate the immediate need for a therapist. As Brad Pierce and his colleagues found, many practitioners feel they will conduct their practice online after the pandemic: “\u003Cem>psychologists nationwide predict that 34.9% of their treatment will occur via telepsychology after the pandemic ends.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>As there is a lack of physicians worldwide, they might need to learn how to use technologies more and more alongside with the skill how to offer words of wisdom and empathy through screens, and how to offer peace of mind regarding data security. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\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":1970,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Could a chatbot, an online community, or a telepsychiatry solution offer meaningful help for people who are fighting mental health issues? Could virtual reality, artificial […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",23985,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[230,328,329,5],[740,1855,1240,1975,1726,507,71,1976,1977,508,1978,510,1720,1769,1979,77,78],1347,271,640,759,923,[742,80,353],[],[364,1983,84,1984,1732,365,1985,747,85],2029,1563,1579,[1987,53,91,92,93,94,95,244,372,373,98,761,1876,1260,1988,1744,524,99,1989,1990,525,1991,527,1738,1992,1993,105,106,762,107,395],"post-23980","tag-psychiatry","tag-health","tag-psychology","tag-apps","tag-virtual","tag-health-apps",{"id":1971,"alt_text":1995,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":110,"media_details":1996,"post":1956,"source_url":17},"future of psychiatry",{"width":402,"height":403,"file":1997,"sizes":1998,"image_meta":2015},"2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry.png",{"medium":1999,"large":2002,"thumbnail":2005,"medium_large":2008,"1536x1536":2009,"2048x2048":2012},{"file":2000,"width":408,"height":409,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2001},"085_future_of_psychiatry-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-370x208.png",{"file":2003,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2004},"085_future_of_psychiatry-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-768x432.png",{"file":2006,"width":418,"height":418,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2007},"085_future_of_psychiatry-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-150x150.png",{"file":2003,"width":413,"height":414,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2004},{"file":2010,"width":423,"height":424,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2011},"085_future_of_psychiatry-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-1536x864.png",{"file":2013,"width":784,"height":785,"mime-type":121,"source_url":2014},"085_future_of_psychiatry-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F085_future_of_psychiatry-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":143,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":143,"copyright":64,"focal_length":143,"iso":143,"shutter_speed":143,"title":64,"orientation":143},{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":2017,"cta_type":147,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":2021},[2018,2019,2020],22502,22972,30847,[431,149],{"yoast_wpseo_title":1966,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":2023,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1964},"Medical fields requiring social skills might not be swept away by new innovations, we looked at how technology will appear in the future of psychiatry.",{"self":2025,"collection":2030,"about":2032,"author":2034,"replies":2036,"version-history":2039,"predecessor-version":2043,"wp:featuredmedia":2047,"wp:attachment":2050,"wp:term":2053,"curies":2064},[2026],{"href":2027,"targetHints":2028},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23980",{"allow":2029},[27],[2031],{"href":171},[2033],{"href":174},[2035],{"embeddable":41,"href":589},[2037],{"embeddable":41,"href":2038},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=23980",[2040],{"count":2041,"href":2042},9,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23980\u002Frevisions",[2044],{"id":2045,"href":2046},35561,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23980\u002Frevisions\u002F35561",[2048],{"embeddable":41,"href":2049},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F23985",[2051],{"href":2052},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=23980",[2054,2056,2058,2060,2062],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":2055},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=23980",{"taxonomy":199,"embeddable":41,"href":2057},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=23980",{"taxonomy":202,"embeddable":41,"href":2059},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=23980",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":2061},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=23980",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":2063},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=23980",[2065],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},[],[],1785514448949]