The healthcare industry has come an exceptionally long way since its inception and has evolved to help improve the standard of living globally. What started as an enterprise operating on trial and error has now evolved into one of today’s most scientifically robust and capable industries. Advancements in science, education, technology, and more have helped the healthcare industry better adapt to societal changes and develop treatments for previously fatal illnesses. These evolutions have helped create a healthier, safer society for all. However, although the healthcare industry is exceptionally advanced today, it is by no means done changing. Some of the most ground-breaking updates have only come in the past decade, and these changes continue to pioneer better treatments. Understanding how and why these changes were developed and implemented can help us improve Healthcare even more. If you’re interested in learning more about the biggest ways Healthcare has changed over the past decade, keep reading below. 

1. Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most popular buzzwords, and you’ll hear of it across all industries. Artificial Intelligence is ground-breaking in its ingenuity and allows algorithms to make scientifically sound judgments and recommendations based on a conceptual framework. Put simply, once you input the necessary information, you can teach computers to make sound judgments. 

AI is widely used across all industries, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Ai can help streamline care delivery immensely by allowing the computer algorithm to take over several processes. This can include recommending medication, analyzing medical records, scheduling appointments, processing patient data, and more. The use of AI in Healthcare has helped alleviate much of the burden on healthcare staff members and give them more time to care for patients. Using AI solutions has helped streamline the healthcare sector and aid clinical decision-making. Moreover, AI solutions can help improve preventative care and can help predict outbreaks, and protect vulnerable populations. 

2. Greater independence for nurses 

Over the previous decade, we’ve seen nurses’ roles evolve immensely, becoming more functional and independent. Previously, although nurses were recognized as an important facet of the healthcare sector, they were primarily seen as caregivers. So, nurses served in a supplementary capability with doctors without much independence. Over the previous decade, however, the nurse’s role has changed significantly, and nurses have gained much more independence. 

Now, nurses with a higher degree and experience can also serve in a diagnostic capacity and have the liberty to analyze, diagnose, and treat patients independently. Doing so decreases the burden on doctors and leaves them free to care for other patients. Nurse practitioners serve in a diverse capacity and can help educate patients, treat them, counsel patients and family members, and promote overall health. Nurse practitioners can provide their clients with all-rounded care and can help increase their trust in the healthcare system too. 

3. Telemedicine 

Telehealth is one of the most ground-breaking changes the healthcare industry has seen recently, transforming healthcare delivery entirely. Traditionally we imagine doctor’s visits to only occur in person and patients having to travel to the clinic for small and big issues alike. Telehealth changes all this and allows patients and doctors to have appointments from the comfort of their homes. Telehealth thus increases convenience immensely and reduces the hassle that often prevents patients from seeking healthcare services. 

During the pandemic and generally, telemedicine services have proven vital in reducing infection and protecting vulnerable patients. However, it isn’t just a hassle that telehealth eliminates. Reducing visits to clinics and hospitals makes it possible to limit exposure to people with already weakened immune systems. It also reduces the burden on the healthcare sector by allowing doctors to handle patients who don’t need too much attention at home while only asking for serious cases to come in. this way, there is much less traffic at healthcare institutions, which can help streamline treatment delivery immensely. 

4. Increased focus on mental health 

Mental health services have been long regarded as not a part of actual Healthcare, and issues that aren’t serious enough to be scientifically addressed. Over the past decade, however, we’ve realized just how faulty this statement is and how much of an impact mental illness can have across our life. Mental health problems affect more than 792 million people globally, and these are just the cases that are reported. There are countless people who suffer in silence and may seem normal on the surface but are battling demons internally. 

Mental health issues have a firm biological basis and can destroy individuals and their families. Moreover, these issues are also hereditary and can pass down from generation to generation. In recent years we have become much more aware of how important it is to tackle mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding such topics. Several ground-breaking treatments have been devised to help people suffering from mental issues recover and reclaim their lives. Apart from medical help, therapeutic protocols can help people develop healthy coping mechanisms and get their lives back on track. 

5. Drug advancements 

Over the past few years, some of the biggest ways Healthcare has changed have been by developing more sophisticated and effective drugs. Previously, there wasn’t much selection in terms of drugs, and the ones we did have available had limited efficacy. In such cases, recovering from many illnesses was hard, and certain diagnoses almost always meant a death sentence. Whereas treatments administered in hospitals are selected, drug advancements are vital in helping patients maintain good health independently. 

In recent years, however, things have changed immensely. Scientific advancements mean that there is a much better selection of drugs available on the market for independent and home use. These drugs aren’t just for milder issues but have been instrumental in lowering death rates globally. Better drugs for cancer treatment, HIV, neurology, neurodevelopmental diseases, mental health issues, and more mean that many diseases can be effectively managed. Additionally, many existing drugs have evolved to become much safer, and side effects and drug complications have been reduced. 

Conclusion 

Without the healthcare system’s consistent advancements, humanity would have been impossible to come as far as we have. The healthcare sector has helped improve the lives of billions, from birth to death. It has helped us tackle deadly diseases and improve overall wellness to lead a healthy, happy life. These are just a few monumental changes we’ve seen in the previous decade. The healthcare system continues to evolve even today.