“Access to basic quality healthcare is one of the most important domestic issues facing our nation.” –Former Congressman Ed Pastor
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep-seated issues in healthcare, particularly inequities in access and the challenges of serving uninsured populations. It also opened our eyes to the potential for a flexible healthcare system, as seen in the rise of telehealth services and the essential role of traveling nurses.
What’s Next for Healthcare?
As our world population grows and ages, there will be more patients and a greater need for an efficient, cost-effective healthcare system. Other key factors to watch out for in future healthcare settings include:
- Digitalization and automation.
- Big data management.
- Patient-centric practices.
Let’s examine how the future of healthcare and how the industry may evolve in the coming decades.
Restructured Care Teams
While there are currently 297 physicians for every 100,000 patients in the United States, a new Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report projects a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Stressful schedules fraught with challenges, like poor work-life balance and ongoing global healthcare crises, have contributed to lack of qualified care.
This means that in the absence of physicians, other healthcare providers will become increasingly essential, such as nurse practitioners (NPs), who can diagnose, treat, and manage patient care independently. Additionally, registered nurses (RNs) will become indispensable in areas lacking other providers.
Telemedicine and Virtual Wards
As technology advances, clinics will likely restructure into hybrid care teams, delivering services both virtually and on-site. For example, virtual hospital wards allow patients to be monitored from a central location. This will allow providers to effectively treat every patient, move them through the healthcare system efficiently and provide fully engaged care. Collaborative patient care systems, in which patients have more control over their health journey, will also become more prevalent.
Big Data and Smart Networks
Did you know that the healthcare industry generates about 30% of all global data? Because so much data is generated and captured, about 97% of healthcare data in hospitals goes unused. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered diagnostic tools, like image analysis software in radiology, are already improving early detection rates for conditions such as cancer. As these AI-aided systems advance, big data is helping us streamline information and revolutionize healthcare in areas such as:
- Data-informed, personalized care.
- Enhanced X-ray capabilities and precision.
- Improved global collaboration.
Smart networks enable the access of patient files from anywhere in real-time, meaning patient data can be updated and viewed on the spot. However, these types of systems are often hindered by complex integration and their vulnerability to data breaches.
Predictive, Preventative, Personalized Medicine
With the onset of big data also comes the possibility of personalized healthcare. Personalized medicine means a patient’s personal data is used for customized treatment and prevention, which can help healthcare providers shift from a reactive approach to a more proactive one. While personalized healthcare creates long-term benefits for the patient, tailoring medical treatment based on your genome can be expensive. However, wearable devices are already used in fields like:
- Cardiology (e.g., pacemakers)
- Neurology (e.g., wearable EEG headbands)
- Diabetes management (e.g., continuous glucose monitors)
While promising cures are emerging, antibiotic resistance is also rising, along with mental health issues linked to digital device dependence. To ensure the benefits of healthcare advancements reach all communities, it’s essential to address barriers to access, particularly in underserved regions. While these innovations promise better healthcare outcomes, balancing the costs to make them accessible remains a pressing challenge.
The Rise of Robotic Assistants
The da Vinci robotic surgeon assistant is a good example of a growing number of automated systems implemented into our healthcare system. Robots are used to assist in complex and precise surgeries and can be built to provide robotic exoskeletons to help patients walk. This isn’t just limited to robots we can see: Nanobots (tiny robots injected into the body) can deliver medication directly to intended cells, instead of a broader area, which minimizes side effects and maximizes precision.
Shape Healthcare’s Next Generation
The evolving roles of healthcare professionals will require adaptability, making continuous learning and a patient-centered approach vital in the future. If you’re considering a career in nursing, it’s essential to have the right education and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technology.
Hone Your Nursing Skills Online With a BSN
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program prepares you for these future challenges and innovations. You’ll gain leadership skills, learn evidence-based practices and focus on patient-centered care: all critical for modern healthcare environments.
Our program’s flexible format, which is entirely online except for two proctored courses, allows you to keep up with healthcare advancements while balancing your work and studies.
Take charge of your career growth on your own schedule, adapt to new healthcare demands, and help shape the future of patient care. Learn more and apply here.
Sources:
https://www.gehealthcare.com/insights/article/six-trends-that-are-shaping-the-future-of-healthcare
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/science-innovation-technology/healthcare-timeline
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3116776
https://www.statista.com/statistics/186269/total-active-physicians-in-the-us/