The medical world is changing fast. In order to play a meaningful role in its progress, it’s important to consider how the development of technology will impact the medical industry. If you’re a medical student, you have all kinds of amazing pathways available to you. As you narrow down the options, you might want to consider how new technology will impact specific medical careers. With the right approach, you can position yourself for success and choose an in-demand career path.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is going to be huge in the medical world of the future, and we’re already seeing incredible developments in this area. Almost every aspect of medical care is starting to implement AI, including diagnostics, research, apps for predictive healing, and much more.
By taking an interest in Artificial Intelligence and learning some of its basic tenets, you can emerge as a more capable medical professional. Combining medical knowledge with an understanding of AI can lead to all kinds of opportunities. Who knows? Maybe you’ll design the next big medical app.
Robotics
The rise of robotics is impacting virtually every industry on the planet, and medicine is no exception. Today, robots are already capable of performing surgeries, disinfecting hallways, and much more.
As a medical student, you may want to ask yourself how robotics will impact any career paths you’re considering. It may seem like a disheartening concept, but the truth is that robotics will render many medical professions obsolete. You may want to choose a medical career that requires soft skills, as these types of jobs will see continued demand throughout the next few decades.
Virtual Medicine
With the rise of Covid-19, virtual medicine is becoming more and more common. In many areas of the world, doctors are still relying on phone conversations or video calls as their first level of patient assessment.
The convenience and efficiency of this approach has become clear. This means that even when the pandemic subsides, telemedicine and virtual medicine will probably continue to play an important role in healthcare. This is definitely something to consider when choosing a future medical career.
3D Printing
3D printing is one of the most exciting new technologies of the last few years. Using 3D printers, medical professionals can quickly and easily create a vast range of helpful tools. This includes the creation of specially-designed prosthetic limbs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, 3D printers helped provide doctors with comfortable masks and goggles that fit the contours of their faces.
Using 3D printing, we can even produce implants or entire organs with stem cells. This will not only reduce the need for organ donors, but it will also help train new doctors who can learn by working on real organs. 3D printing is certainly an interesting path to explore, especially as a new doctor or student.
Health Data Cybersecurity
Although the rise of technology in the medical world might make certain jobs obsolete, it will also create new opportunities. For example, there is a growing concern about the vulnerability of health data that is stored on a digital, online platform. This has led to an increased demand for cybersecurity experts who can protect this data from being viewed and used by the wrong people.
In addition, the vast array of new medical apps each have a responsibility to protect this medical data so that it doesn’t fall into the hands of third parties. Cybersecurity experts will play an important role in the medical industry of the future.
Bioweapons Anti-Terror Experts
As our understanding of biotechnology increases, so does the potential for the use of new bioweapons. This is even more of a concern when you consider our increased understanding of the human genome today, which leaves the door open for bioweapons that can target the human body in a more efficient way.
Some of the future’s most important medical professionals will be those who can combat these potential bioweapons using all kinds of techniques and methods.
Genome Editing
New developments in genome editing have the potential to create a vast array of new jobs in the medical industry. Gene therapies are proving to be incredibly efficient in treating a wide range of disorders and diseases. Our understanding of the human genome also makes disease modeling easier.
Medical professionals with a strong understanding of this new discipline could help cure diseases that previously had no cure. Graduates who understand the complex field of genome editing will find themselves at the forefront of a new chapter in medical history.