The turbulence caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the past few years has given rise to not just uncertainty, but also redressal and reinvention. Medical organisations across the globe have started experimenting with new methods, devices, and technologies, paving the way for up-and-coming trends that could shape MedTech in the months ahead.

A CB Insights Report suggests that funding to digital healthcare and medical devices surpassed an all-time high in 2020, reaching a combined value of $9.9 billion. The growing emphasis on tech innovation is ushering in a new era of healthcare, empowering both patients and service providers.

In this article, we will be exploring the five latest MedTech trends awaiting wider adaptation and opportunities in 2022. Let’s dive straight in!

AR/VR for Psychological Treatment

Back in 2017, when an international team of doctors first used a mixed reality headset to perform a surgical procedure, the technology seemed like an expensive, distant solution available only to the richest countries. However, AR and VR are counted among the top MedTech trends of the year today, with particularly interesting applications in physiotherapy and psychological treatment.

VR headsets are being paired with treadmills, for instance, to offer an immersive experience to patients with limited mobility. VR and AR-based stimulated environments are being used to help brain injury and stroke survivors rehabilitate. Psychological disorders can be treated much more effectively by allowing patients to experience real-world-like situations in a safe setting.

Telehealth on the Rise

The boost in demand for remote healthcare services has only risen over time, especially thrown into the spotlight because of the pandemic. A 2021 analysis by McKinsey & Company has highlighted the growth in telehealth use by 38 times in the wake of COVID-19, besides digital health seeing thrice more investments compared to 2017. With new and profitable telehealth business models visible on the horizon, along with their integration with myriad virtual health solutions, telehealth is all set to augment patient experience, convenience, outcomes, as well as affordability in the months to come.

Precision Medicine

Apart from the automation of most generic processes otherwise handled manually, advanced healthcare systems are set to witness a paradigm shift towards precision medicine. There is increasingly available data available on patients with healthcare facilities today, including demographics, medical history, genetics, and so on. The collation of such intrinsic data is going to enable the advent of personalised, precision treatment and predictive diagnostics, with heightened possibilities of success.

AI and Computing

The conversation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has been going on for decades, but it’s effective harnessing by global organisations is truly taking shape now more than ever. Equipping machines with human intelligence and behaviour is truly revolutionising medicine, with applications in diagnosis, treatment, safety, productivity, and prediction.

AI can be used to reduce errors significantly, which in turn helps mitigate as much risk as possible. Text, language, symbols, and other assets can be read by machines using AI within seconds, speeding up laborious tasks that will otherwise have to be performed manually. Discoveries and observations can be made more accurately, and communication strategies improved.

Medical Robotics

Unprecedented advancements in medical robotics over the past few years are in for a sustained adoption in 2022 and beyond, set to reach a global market value of $23.92 billion by 2028. Robots are currently in use during surgeries, patient rehabilitation, premises sterilisation as well as telemedicine improvement.

The biggest advantage of medical robots is the minimisation of human contact, while high precision and efficiency quickly follow. This is the reason robotics is being hailed as one of the biggest MedTech trends in the coming times, with more innovations and applications waiting in line.

An Era of Digital Disruption Ahead

The MedTech industry is certain to witness the domination of digital technology in the near as well as distant future. After all, healthcare organisations all over the world have come to terms with the need to move beyond siloed solutions and integrate solutions, products, and experiences for productivity and performance.

With time, medical devices and services are getting more and more commoditised, calling for greater attention to efficiency, cost reduction, and competitive advantage for customers. Digital-powered MedTech is a clear-cut solution for these targets, thus ushering in an era of digital disruption ahead.

Our Medical Device and Biotechnology division serves one of largest and fastest-growing sectors within the global Healthcare Industry. Due to the highly technical nature of roles within the medical device and biotechnology sector, Leaders in Care have a team of experienced consultants dedicated to recruiting and delivering the highest-calibre medical devices personnel in the industry. Get in touch today.