Pros and Cons of Disruptive Technology in Medicine

Healthcare technology has revolutionised the way we deal with issues in health and medicine. With the advent of technology, medical experts and healthcare strategists introduced new therapies, healthcare management practices, and medical devices to help improve the well-being of an individual and alleviate their sufferings caused by various medical conditions.

Disruptive technology continues to foster significant changes in the healthcare industry. And there have been massive results that create a ripple effect. The question is, are these changes positive or not? Let’s find out in this article.

What Is Disruptive Technology?

Before going into the advantages and disadvantages of disruptive technology in medicine, let us first understand what disruptive technology is.

Disruptive technology is a result of innovative ideas that changes the processes and operations of consumers, businesses, and industries. This type of technology ditches the traditional methods and fully replaces it with what they believe is superior and more effective.

Some examples of disruptive technology include e-commerce, GPS systems, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence.

Healthcare and Technology

As different sectors in the industry adapted technology into their practices, the health sector utilises these breakthroughs and has transformed the healthcare strategy of some medical experts. Here are a few of the examples of the use of disruptive technology in medicine:

Robotics

The eye is a highly sensitive organ. That is why it requires a high degree of precision and skills when carrying out eye operations. However, medical and surgical specialist Prof Marc de Smet said that they had reached an impasse doing eye operations without assistance. But in 2015, he has developed Preceyes.

This breakthrough is believed to be transforming the medical practices of ophthalmologists in treating genetic eye defects and doing retinal surgery.

Electronic Health Records

Electronic health records are essential in giving better health management and healthcare to patients as it provides the professionals with updated patient information and quick access to the patient’s records. Now that health records are easily accessible, providers will have the information they need to diagnose patients more accurately, give beneficial healthcare advice, and provide reliable prescribing.

3D Printing

3D printing has become a significant innovation in healthcare technology. Orthodontists in Ireland use this type of technology to scan the patient’s teeth and produce an accurate negative imprint of the tissues in the mouth. By using this imprint, orthodontists can create perfectly fitted crowns for teeth restoration.

Telemedicine

The pandemic in 2020 has become a driving force for the health sector to carry out diagnosis and treatment for the patients remotely. According to experts, this approach to healthcare is here to stay since it benefits both the doctors and patients. However, it would be completely effective if everyone in the world had access to the Internet.

Disruptive Technology in Medicine: Pros and Cons

The introduction of healthcare strategists and professionals of disruptive technology comes with both advantages and disadvantages to both the patients and medical practitioners. In this section, we will walk you through the pros and cons of disruptive technology.

Pros

• Improves Communication in Hospitals - The presence of technology in hospitals enables medical professionals and patients to have streamlined communication. This way, the doctors can provide an immediate response to their patients and save their lives.
• Enhances Patient Care - The invention of technological devices such as portable defibrillators, MR systems, and electronic IV monitors make healthcare delivery more efficient. Moreover, patients now have 24/7 access to the important medical information provided by professionals should they have questions and concerns.
• Lower Costs for Healthcare - Manual diagnosis of a problem may result in mishandling of the health condition. It also takes longer to diagnose a disease, which can be costly. But with modern technology, doctors can arrive at an accurate diagnosis and treatment for the patient. Therefore, patients won’t have to spend much due to misdiagnosis and erroneous treatment.
• Guaranteed Results - With accurate diagnosis and treatment, the patients will experience guaranteed results and eventually have an optimal health condition.

Cons

• May Damage the Cells, Tissues, and Organs - Excessive and intense use of medical machines may cause internal damage to a person. Take, for example, radiation therapy. Although it helps treat cancer, it may also bring damage to the surrounding tissues.
• Artificial Treatment - While technology provides immediate treatment to the patient, it has the potential to disrupt the body’s natural ability to heal itself, which can be harmful.
• Robotic Surgery Can Be More Costly - As previously mentioned, disruptive healthcare technology provides healthcare at a lower cost. However, the use of robots and other high-end machines can cost you more as it uses expensive technology.
• Isolation - Technology may lessen in-person interaction between the doctor and the patient, which may result in isolation or loneliness.

Know More about Healthcare Technological Advancements with StratHealth Ltd

Healthcare technology is ever-evolving. And one of our goals at StratHealth is to introduce service providers in the health sector to innovations and new machinery that will help enhance healthcare delivery. Reach out to us on 020 8128 4420, and we’ll help you come up with strategies to be a step ahead in the health industry.