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The major technology trends of the coming years pose significant challenges for users
Technological progress is the central driver in the medical industry and affects a wide range of areas. Ambition and reality often remain far apart. In this article, we explain current trends, problem areas and emerging approaches to solving them.
Technological progress is driving evolution in an industry that has always had to adapt to change.
Digitalisation undoubtedly has the greatest influence on advances in medical technology. In our previous article, we explored this subject through a specific case study. We now take a broader view of other trends.
Technological trends in the medical industry
Microsystems engineering, nanotechnology and optical technologies are enabling the miniaturisation of products. Technology has now reached a point where implantable microsystems can operate actively or passively, using sensors, telemetry or neural interfaces. Surgical procedures will also change fundamentally, with minimally invasive surgery becoming even more common, including image-guided, catheter-based and endoscopic interventions.
Molecularisation is also becoming established through biotechnology and cell and tissue engineering. Medical technology will become more important, particularly in regenerative medicine, as research in cell and tissue engineering is put into practice.
As in many other areas, the next major step in transforming healthcare will be artificial intelligence: intelligent data analysis and use through algorithms that continuously learn and improve. Systems that increase diagnostic accuracy are particularly valuable as supporting tools to reduce the risk of errors when doctors are working at peak capacity.
Challenges in practical implementation
Much remains to be done before this apparent transformation becomes everyday practice. Alongside flagship projects such as those implemented at Hamburg University Hospital, there are broader difficulties getting started. More than half of hospitals currently lack their own digital strategy, and implementation often falls short. The reasons for the lack of direction are varied. Financing can be difficult. Incompatible IT systems and insufficient interoperability are further obstacles. The prospect of processes grinding to a halt because of insurmountable barriers during an IT transition poses a safety risk and discourages action. Elsewhere, the problem runs deeper: if a hospital’s core processes lack structure, that weak foundation cannot support an IT or digital strategy. Data protection is another important issue. Opening processes to greater digitalisation creates risks of cyberattacks and security vulnerabilities. Policymakers have pledged support: the Act on Secure Digital Communication and Applications in Healthcare came into force at the end of 2015. This eHealth Act aims to make better use of the considerable opportunities offered by digitalisation in German healthcare. Among other things, it supports telemedicine and electronic medication plans. Implementation is intended to be completed by 2021. But what can healthcare providers do themselves?
How to implement technological processes successfully
It is not always possible to implement a comprehensive digital strategy immediately. It is therefore necessary to identify individual processes that can be standardised. Smaller steps that do not require changing an entire hospital’s process chain include automatic patient check-in using the electronic health card, tracking patients through the hospital, and automatically transmitting test results to mobile devices. Hospital operators also benefit from looking at existing reference projects and obtaining expert input before implementation. While commercial factors such as investment requirements and operating costs are easy to quantify, particular care is needed in deciding where a digital strategy can intervene in sensitive processes. Typical questions include: how can a patient’s stay be improved without compromising quality of care? Which coordination processes can be optimised? Measuring efficiency is another important issue. Was the pilot project successful? Can qualitative improvements in the changed processes be measured?
Contact DTO
As a manufacturer in the medical industry, are you part of the hospital process chain? Do you want to help hospitals and healthcare providers adapt their processes to digital change? Would you like to contribute to an empathetic, responsive search for solutions? DTO offers several options. Through Technology Scouts (www.technology-scouts.de), we connect you with smart start-ups and creative minds to improve or extend your technology strategy. Would you like a deeper understanding of your market? A market analysis (www.dto-research.com/en/core-areas/medical-markets) can provide insight into your competitors, customers and product potential.
Shape technological change with DTO as a reliable partner by your side.
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