Five healthcare technology trends to watch for in 2021

If you’ve read our article on where the digital health market is heading, you know that the global digital health market size was valued at USD 96.5 billion in 2020 and it’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.1% from 2021 to 2028.

Every year, billions of dollars are invested in healthcare innovations. Some of them do not meet expectations and aren’t launched on the market. But some get launched from time to time and transform the face of the industry. Here are the five top trends that impact the healthcare market on a global scale and that you need to keep an eye out for in 2021.

1. Telemedicine It’s of no surprise that telemedicine services greatly accelerated during the last year because of Covid-19. During the pandemic telehealth was a great solution for the safety of both healthcare providers and patients. It eliminated in-person appointments and further increased practitioners capacity. According to a March 2020 SSCG Media Group study, 53% of general practitioners in the US were using telemedicine for the first time due to Covid-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, telehealth is here to stay. Hospitals and health systems will incorporate virtual care as part of their long-term care strategy.
2. Augmented reality/virtual reality Augmented reality and virtual reality are finding widespread applications in the healthcare industry. The technology helps medical students, practitioners and researchers to train in specific surgical scenarios, to get improved visualization of body mapping and to access mass medical learning, just to name a few. In the coming years, we will see an increase in new mobile Apps and tools developed for AR and VR.
3. Artificial intelligence (AI) alone has the capacity to completely transform the health industry. For instance, when Covid-19 surfaced, artificial intelligence helped in fighting the pandemic and scientists were using AI to find a vaccination. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare will take healthcare trends to a whole new level in the future.
4. Internet of medical things (IoMT), we’re all familiar with the word Internet of Things (IoT) but it’s also paving the way for a new Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). This includes the use of numerous wearables for the end consumer, which are meant to track health data. The adoption rate of these medical devices is rapidly increasing and by 2025, the IoT industry will be worth $6.2 trillion. Medical portable devices can provide health care teams with valuable information 24 hours a day, even when a patient is at home or out of the practitioner’s direct care. This helps to better understand the health conditions and makes the care more profitable for all concerned.
5. 3D scanning technologies for the Human Body The global market for 3D scanners is projected to reach US$6.1 billion by 2025. The market is mainly driven by the growing use of the technology in rapid prototyping, quality inspections, body scans, reverse engineering, and several other applications. There are many types of 3D scanners and 3D scanning technologies. Some are ideal for short range scanning while others are better suited for mid or long-range scanning.

It’s of no surprise that your digital transformation needs to start today to get ready for the future of healthcare. If you are ready to get started, start by taking a look at TechMed 3D’s scanning technologies like 3DsizeMe and MSoft. Our products are designed for human body digitization with orthotics and prosthetics challenges in mind.