In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, staying ahead of the curve is essential for both professionals and organizations. Technology continues to develop in varying fields, and healthcare is one such field. As we move into 2024, the healthcare industry is taking a massive step towards utilizing this development towards the greater good. Let’s dive into the emerging healthcare job trends that you will have to look out for in the upcoming year:

Telemedicine Expansion

Do we really need to travel to the hospital to get a routine check-up done? Well, not anymore! With technological advancements, healthcare employers can provide help remotely through video calls, and online messaging. This practice is called telemedicine. The popularity of this practice continues to increase as it eases the lives of many individuals and professionals alike.

It’s a brilliant innovation for those who struggle to leave their home for many reasons like agoraphobia, chronic illness or mobility issues since healthcare services are now at their fingertips. Also, we couldn’t possibly forget to address the issue of long queues and waiting times. Telemedicine can cause a major reduction in the waiting time allowing patients to consult a professional at the earliest.

Personalized Medicines

Increased development in the fields of genomics and biotechnology research are enabling personalized medicine plans tailored to suit everyone’s genetic make-up. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to analyze patients’ DNA to diagnose and treat them in the best way possible. These medicines are personalized to specific people down to the molecular level. Most often, this technological development is particularly prominent in treating cancer, where the patient’s medical history is taken into consideration.

Mental Health Awareness

The importance of mental health is gaining widespread recognition, and there is a growing need for professionals specializing in mental health support services. As it continues to gain popularity, many organizations are making access to mental health support easier. Most often, it’s just a message away! Digital mental health apps and platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated, offering several tools to make the journey to good health a smooth and easy one.

More professionals are starting to emphasize the correlation between mental and physical health. The holistic approach to treating individuals is the idea of taking into consideration mental and emotional health towards effective treatment of their physical health.

Blockchain in Healthcare

Security is a major issue in the healthcare industry. There were 692 large healthcare data breaches reported between July 2021 and June 2022. Keeping medical data safe is the most popular blockchain healthcare appliance to tackle these breaches. Blockchain has come around at the perfect time since the United States spent almost 20 percent of its GDP on the healthcare sector in the 2021. Imagine dealing with breaches when such a large percentage was spent on it. Here comes blockchain acting as the high-tech superhero for data.

Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare

Did you read that correctly? Yes, you did. We’ve heard of AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) games, but now it’s entering the field of medicine. AR works by integrating digital information into the user’s real situation. AR is increasingly being used by surgeons to provide digital information as they work without having to constantly look at different screens.

While both these technologies seem the same, there is a fine line separating them. VR takes the user into a digital world rather than bringing the information to the user’s world. According to Accenture, 82% of healthcare professionals believe that the usage of VR makes it significantly convenient for medical students to access and learn new information.

3D Printing

3D printing has been around for quite some time, but only recently did it start to make its debut in the medical industry. With its magic like properties, it can turn digital designs into actual physical objects. In 2024, this technology is causing a stir, with its ability to create custom implants, prosthetics, and even human tissue. It’s like a tailor, crafting precise and personalized solutions for patients.

With the chronic shortage of organs for transplant, 3D printing might just be the solution for it. Although the research is still underway, the talk of the town is about the viability of 3D printed organs for transplant using biological tissue taken from the patient’s body. This could significantly reduce the cost of the procedures, while also making these operations easier and more convenient.

Impact on Nursing Jobs

• Shift in skillset: To ensure that you’re competitive in the nursing field, Nurses will need to acquire skills in using and navigating these technologies, requiring ongoing training and education to stay updated with advancements.
• Remote Work and Flexibility: The integration of technology might offer more flexibility, allowing nurses to work remotely or have flexible schedules.
• Job Diversification: New job opportunities will arise in specialized fields, providing nurses with a broader range of career paths to explore.

With the integration of technological advancements, it shows that the future of healthcare is promising and dynamic. These futuristic trends will undoubtedly shape the services provided to their patients. These trends will not only redefine the services provided, but also the roles and responsibilities of the professionals, ultimately shaping a brighter future with a more patient-centric approach.