Human beings share about 99.9% of their genes with one another. But it is the remaining 0.1% that makes every human being unique – from our retinas and fingerprints that are physiological differentiators to DNA, molecular, and hormonal markers that are unique to each one of us. Shouldn’t the healthcare we get then be tailored to our individual bodies?

Evolution in health tech is enabling us to listen to and decode our body signals in ways that enable the best care – both by the self and by healthcare professionals. Innovations in healthcare are not just helping us better understand our bodies but also navigate our care journeys – from diagnosis to treatment to post-treatment care – in a more effective and informed manner.

Doctors depend on detailed patient information to get to the root of the symptoms, identify hidden conditions, and provide a possible diagnosis. Technology has the potential to give doctors an in-depth understanding of individual health factors and the ability to monitor how people respond to different therapies. Aided by digital technologies, doctors can get actionable health insights through big data and advanced analytics that help increase the specificity of the treatment and make it more personalized. When data from millions of patients is combined with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), it can give doctors both macro and micro perspectives on diseases while also allowing a granular look at the individual level.

Technology and innovations are thus building inroads into a future of hyper-personalized healthcare. Here are some examples of what that future could look like.

Remote & miniaturized tech

Medical wearable and insertable devices are designed to improve the monitoring and management of issues linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or arrythmia. Mobile-compatible continuous glucose monitors are readily available today. Data collected from such devices enable doctors to analyze blood glucose fluctuations effortlessly and accurately and change treatment plans accordingly.

Remotely managed devices can enable doctors to have by-the-minute reports on their patients from anywhere. This data can help during pre- and post-treatment observation periods, assessment of response to therapies, and predictability of previously unforeseen health events.

AI, ML help interpret health data intelligently

AI and ML can enhance the effectiveness of innovations like biosensors. Biosensors study the composition of body fluids to help monitor patient wellbeing and provide data for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases. For instance, cardiac biosensors can detect specific biomarkers such as myoglobin, cardiac troponin, interleukins, and interferon to analyze heart health.

It supports medical practitioners in delivering a timely diagnosis and medical attention, helping save more lives. In 2019, Dr David Spindell, divisional vice president of medical and clinical affairs for Abbott's diagnostics business, spoke at the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Health conference in San Francisco. He said, “Using machine learning, we've found that in combination, patient demographics plus hematological measures and blood proteins are much more accurate in diagnosing heart attacks as well as heart disease than current methods.”

Personalization is the future of the healthcare industry

Healthcare is very personal because our health, and that of our loved ones, is one of the most important things for anyone. Many fear that technology will make care delivery a sterile, depersonalized experience. Contrary to these sentiments, technological advancements and innovations are continuously helping the humankind gain a deeper understanding of the self. With every new insight about the human body, we unravel secrets to good health. Technology is enabling this discovery and making it accessible to individuals, so personalized healthcare becomes a reality for all.

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