3 healthcare trends to watch in 2023
New technologies and the increased uptake of these technologies continue to define the newest trends in the healthcare industry. However, pressured healthcare systems in many countries are also affecting priorities outlining the importance of connected health and telecare solutions.
Explore 3 healthcare trends for 2023 below:
1. Connected healthcare and telecare is still accelerating
The digitalization of the healthcare sector has seen massive progress after the global pandemic and many of these new digital health solutions seem to be here to stay.
Among the benefits of this increasing digitalization are the numerous telecare or telehealth solutions emerging, enabling more people with special care needs to stay living at home instead of blocking beds in a hospital or nursing home.
According to Parks Associates, the role of at-home health devices continues to grow, and as of 2022, over half of US households with an internet connection own and use internet-connected health products.
These connected health products enable users and caregivers to track various health metrics remotely and be proactive upon recognizing irregularities and health issues, and in some cases before they develop into more serious issues.
Additionally, research has found that a familiar environment and proximity to family members can have positive health effects.
IoT devices offer numerous intelligent solutions for the healthcare sector and citizens wishing to live independently at home.
2. Prevention is key
Healthcare systems are under massive pressure in many countries with too many patients for healthcare facilities to cope with due to too little capacity, the need to focus on enabling independent living at home, covert management of health issues, and injury prevention is crucial.
As healthcare professionals struggle to keep up with the task of treating and caring for patients at facilities, TEC (Technology Enabled Care) such as remote home care technologies can play an important role in the diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of health issues for people in their homes.
According to the TSA, these technology-enabled care systems – or telecare systems – currently support the independent living and safety of around 1.7 million people in the UK and the use of IoT devices such as passive smart sensors analyzing domestic behavioral patterns can help prevent health issues before they require intervention and hospitalization.
Furthermore, to relieve some of the current pressure on medical professionals, IoT devices can improve processes in care facilities and hospitals by tracking movements of patients or the placement or supply of medical equipment, automating supply of medicine and gathering patient health data.
Learn more about the great potential of IoT technology in healthcare.
3. Smarter fall detection
The consequences of an older adult falling while living alone can be severe and fall detection technology has long been a focus in the healthcare industry with care service providers.
Although, numerous technological methods for detecting falls have been developed, most have limitations, with the new radar style systems offering promising results.
Emergency buttons and cords mounted on walls are only useful within reach, wearables such as pendants are not being worn due to forgetfulness or embarrassment, and video cameras and acoustic monitoring systems are perceived as intrusive by many.
Because of this, home care system providers are increasingly looking to passive, touchless fall detection systems using 4D imaging radar that offers the privacy that care users demand.
Such a radar-based fall detection technology has been developed by Vayyar Care with sensors detecting falls in any lighting condition, dense bathroom steam, and even through walls and shower curtains, making it ideal for use in bathrooms where 80 % of falls happen.
Develco Products has recently integrated the 4D imaging radar system Vayyar Care with its gateways, making it possible for home care solution providers to include this leading-edge fall detection technology in their offerings.
Learn more about radar-based fall detection and how you can include it in your care solution.
