When COVID-19 hit, it changed the world as we know it. Humanity has worked hard to adapt to the changes and challenges it has brought with it, yet there will always be a lingering impact.

It’s essential to know how COVID-19 will impact healthcare technology. In 2020 and 2021, telemedicine had never been so big. Yet, it was the only practical and safe way for many patients to meet with their doctors. What else will the pandemic change? 

Many people believe that telemedicine will become the new norm. It was effective during the pandemic and made it much easier for many patients – especially those who had difficulty leaving the house – to see their doctor.

Telemedicine did more than just connect doctors and patients. It allowed for a new standard of care, removing the long wait times spent outside the office and making the care feel more individualized. It’s understandable why many patients would want to hold onto that level of care (and convenience).

However, it’s important to note that should telemedicine continue; there must be a rise in cybersecurity. The longer medical records and appointments are held in a virtual format, the more likely there will be a problem. Thus, experts must plan and begin access higher security.

The future of medicine will almost certainly lean more heavily on technology. Even now, scientists are using predictive analytics and tracking apps to track health conditions as they spread. These predictive analytics can also be used to set up patterns to watch for when it comes to the long-term care of COVID-19 patients.

In some counties, it became the norm to see the use of AI in diagnosing COVID-19. As it turns out, AI is exceptionally talented at telling the difference between many similar conditions. Thus, this will start a new trend in having AI report, diagnose, and translate scans. All in the hope of having a more accurate diagnosis.

Unfortunately, one more common element was spotted during the pandemic—a significant supply shortage in most major hospitals. The good news is that many of these hospitals learned from the experience. 

Some hospitals, such as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York), used their 3D printing laboratory to try and keep up with the demand. In the future, having a 3D printing lab in most hospitals may just become an everyday sight.