The ratio of the number of doctors and other health care professionals to the number of patients is changing very dynamically, causing more and more problems with the efficiency of the health system in the world. This is due to the fact that we live longer and longer, and the constant progress in medical therapies ensures a longer life also in the case of once fatal diseases.
The Medical Futurist Institute estimates that the global lack of 17,4 million healthcare workers is now. The answer to this worrying number is technology, which can take over some of the tasks related to health care to relieve doctors and at the same time better care for patients, including prevention.
An equal, and perhaps even greater focus on, solutions supporting prevention, e.g. applications supporting healthier health habits, may turn out to be crucial, as it can significantly contribute to reducing the number of patients, especially chronic diseases related to an unhealthy lifestyle.
However, in order for modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), telemedicine or blockchain, to have a real impact on the health of entire populations, a number of rules must be met. First, technologies need to emerge in response to key needs, and for that to happen, research and tools must be fed with data. Secondly, healthcare professionals should be involved in designing new solutions to make them as useful as possible. Third, patients need extensive education and access to innovative solutions. Each of these steps presents many challenges and only close collaboration between technology developers, physicians and government authorities responsible for healthcare and a commitment to promoting these solutions for patients will lead to complete success.