Top Tech Predictions in Healthcare for 2024

14 November 2023 | 5 minutes read

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the year 2024 promises to be a critical turning point for a confluence of factors. Among them, there are old populations, low public investments in social care and welfare, and worldwide economic uncertainty. The association of these factors, worsened by country-based obstacles, leads to huge challenges.

However, digital technology applications are rising more than ever with the strengthening of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. These new technologies, together with omnichannel and patient-centricity, will improve access to healthcare for assisted people and citizens. This will democratize healthcare and enhance access to care services.

A powerful transformation is underway—one that seeks to shift our focus from reactive to preventive care. Healthcare systems worldwide are embracing a proactive approach aimed at averting the overwhelming burdens that could otherwise befall us. We considered these factors and used our skills and knowledge from the market and independent consultancy firms. As a result, we created a strategic map measuring the use of advanced technology in healthcare for the next year.
In this article, we will embark on a journey into the heart of healthcare innovation, exploring the top tech predictions that will shape the future of medicine and healthcare in 2024.

Telemedicine 2.0

Telemedicine, the practice of delivering healthcare services remotely, is at the forefront of a new era in healthcare provision. These emerging trends are likely to continue as healthcare systems make substantial investments in virtual care infrastructure. Telemedicine 2.0 builds upon the core components of traditional telemedicine, including video consultations, remote monitoring, and cloud-native EHR. This advanced phase integrates cutting-edge technologies and strategies to enhance patient care, improve healthcare access, and streamline medical processes.

One significant area where telemedicine excels is inward virtualization, which involves optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources within hospitals and medical facilities. By enhancing the management of inpatient care wards, telemedicine plays a pivotal role in delivering efficient healthcare services, particularly in times of high demand or emergencies. Mia-Care, thanks to its Composable Approach, enables care providers to build an ecosystem of patient‑centered services that are customized based on unique needs.

Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)

Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) refers to software intended for medical purposes that can be used for the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, or prevention of diseases and medical conditions. These software applications are designed to operate as medical devices and can have a direct impact on patient health and well-being. SaMD encompasses a wide range of technologies, from simple mobile health apps to complex medical imaging software and clinical evaluation support systems.

The Software as a Medical Device is strategically positioned for the future of healthcare because of its potential to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and improve accessibility. As technology and healthcare continue to converge, SaMD will play a pivotal role in driving the transformation of healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Discover how to build certified SaMD with Composable Architecture.

This age, led by digital transformation, requires medical device manufacturers to be prepared to offer top-notch solutions for patients who are increasingly knowledgeable about their conditions and demand more advanced therapies. Mia-Care technology provides MedTech companies with a certified and regulated environment to handle every stage of SaMD development that leads to a streamlined certification process, total management of product features, and the capability to expand rapidly and securely, by maintaining costs under control.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI’s role in healthcare is ever-evolving and indispensable. With its potential to improve diagnostics, treatment, administrative efficiency, and patient care, AI is not just an exciting prospect but a critical necessity. As technology continues to advance, the integration of AI, Machine Learning, and healthcare promises to unlock new frontiers, making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and patient-centered. It’s a revolution that is already well underway, and the future of healthcare has never looked more promising.

AI has emerged as a powerful ally in the quest for more effective, accessible, and efficient healthcare solutions. The appeal of AI in the healthcare sector is that it facilitates the collection, storage, analysis, and, most importantly, the sharing of data. The exchange of data in healthcare is vital to providing medical practitioners with a holistic view of a patient’s health status. By incorporating AI and ML into the healthcare ecosystem, you can perform activities such as collecting data from devices, monitoring patients’ vitals, and recommending therapies.

This wide-applicable technology provides tools to support doctors in their daily activities of patient support and delivering high-quality care. It also improves the collaborative work of healthcare professionals, software developers, and data scientists by providing an efficient development environment to create and manage AI-driven algorithms, and by providing tools to monitor Data Drifting and Data Modeling activities. In this scenario, Mia-Care provides a user-friendly and governed development platform where Devs, Data Scientists, and AI experts can work together to create real value for the patients.

Digital Twin

In healthcare, a “digital twin” refers to a virtual counterpart or a digital replication of a physical entity. This concept, originating from industrial contexts, is increasingly valuable in healthcare settings. Digital twins are virtual representations that mirror real patients’ conditions, enabling healthcare professionals to gain deeper insights and enhance patient care through data-driven decision-making.

Digital twins in healthcare, exemplified in preventive planning, provide a robust tool to enhance observation precision, patient safety, and overall therapy outcomes. By minimizing unpredictability and optimizing surgical procedures, this technology contributes significantly to improved patient care and recovery. Mia-Care is already working in this field through a Data Virtualization Platform adopted by Centro Diagnostico Italiano to gather, structure, and leverage data coming from internal operations.

In summary, digital twins are essential in healthcare because they offer a holistic, patient-centered approach that enhances diagnostics, treatment, and preventative care. They empower healthcare providers with valuable data-driven insights and are integral to the future of healthcare as it moves toward personalized, efficient, and effective patient care.

Personalized Medicine

Personalized Medicine is an innovative approach to healthcare that tailors medical treatment and healthcare decisions to the individual characteristics of each patient. It acknowledges that every person is unique, and their genetic makeup, lifestyle, environment, and even microbiome can significantly impact their health and how they respond to treatments. The goal of personalized medicine is to provide the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, maximizing the chances of treatment effectiveness and minimizing adverse effects.

Digital technologies play a crucial role in supporting the diffusion and implementation of personalized medicine. Here are some of the key digital technologies and tools that contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine such as:

Genomic Sequencing: Next-generation sequencing technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing and exome sequencing, enable the rapid and cost-effective analysis of an individual’s genetic code. This information can identify genetic variations that may influence disease risk and treatment response.
Clinical Decision Support Systems: CDSS integrates patient data, medical knowledge, and best practices to assist healthcare providers in making evidence-based decisions. These systems can help tailor treatment plans based on individual patient data.
Pharmacogenomics Tools: These tools analyze genetic information to predict how an individual is likely to respond to specific drugs. This information helps avoid adverse reactions and select the most effective treatment.

The integration of these digital technologies with personalized medicine is revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered. It empowers healthcare providers to make data-driven decisions, offer tailored treatments, and improve patient outcomes while reducing adverse effects and healthcare costs.
The integration of these digital technologies with personalized medicine is revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered. It empowers healthcare providers to make data-driven decisions, offer tailored treatments, and improve patient outcomes while reducing adverse effects and healthcare costs.

Final Predictions

Below there is a graphic representation of the studies made on diffusion and penetration rate of the tech trends analyzed for 2024.

The article was written by Andrea Di Carlo, .