Technology is altering the world at an unbelievable pace. It’s changing how we communicate, how we get around, and how we work. Some of the most exciting advances are coming in the world of healthcare. Technology is redefining how we take care of our bodies, and even saving lives.
Many companies are racing to bring significant changes to the world of medicine. These are just a few that might completely change your healthcare experience in the next decade.
23andMe
Many people are familiar with 23andMe as a genetic testing service, where you swab the inside of your cheek and then find out information about your ancestry. However, the company is also researching ways to utilize that DNA information to improve pharmaceutical development. They say they’ve already identified 17 new markers indicating a risk of Parkinson’s Disease.
Silene Biotech
This is the only FDA-compliant stem cell preservation service that works directly with consumers. When you preserve your stem cells, you can use those cells to treat you for disease later on in life. This is more viable than the alternative, which involves using less promising cells from other people. Silene Biotech collects these cells with a simple blood draw, and they stay in storage until you need them.
Emulate
Emulate’s Organs-on-Chips technology puts human cells into micro-engineered environments, allowing researchers to get a view inside the human body. Their product can be used for drug development and personalized medicine to predict human response.
HumanDx
This exciting project (the Human Diagnosis Project) is a crowdsourcing system that allows physicians to work together and share their specialized knowledge across borders, streamlining treatment and helping more people stay healthy.
CrowdMed
CrowdMed is also a crowdsourcing project. With CrowdMed, a large group of medical professionals collaborates to provide suggestions and support. They look at the patient’s medical history and their symptoms, research, then offer advice that they can take to their care providers for a diagnosis.
POC Medical
Breast cancer is a leading killer of women worldwide, and POC Medical wants to change that. They’ve developed a mobile screening kit, which allows women to monitor their risk of breast cancer for only $3 per session, instead of hundreds. Preventive medicine and screenings can go a long way towards catching cancer early and helping women survive.
Glow
For many women, tracking fertility is an important goal. Whether they’re trying to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy, it’s valuable for women to know when in their cycle they are most fertile, and Glow is trying to help. This app helps women of all ages track their cycle and understand their body better.
Medisafe
Millions of Americans and those across the globe take prescription medications. For these medications to be effective, patients must take the right dosage at the right time. Medisafe is here to help. This app gamifies the experience of taking medication, reminding patients to take the proper number of pills at the correct time. They even notify a friend or family member if you forget (which could be great for aging family members or anyone who needs extra assistance).
It’s not just about search. This tech giant is beginning to work in the healthcare industry through its secretive division Google X, which is home to Google Life Sciences. Physicians and researchers are trying to use data to not only cure sick people but also prevent people from getting sick in the first place. They have a wide range of projects, but they all depend on using Google’s huge trove of data to make a difference in medicine.
Counsyl
This genetic testing startup is focused on helping people make better, more informed decisions about their health. Counsyl offers genetic counselors, who help customers understand their genetics and make smart choices about how to stay healthy. They also provide pre-conception testing for parents and pregnancy scans that offer information about the fetus’ health.
PatientPing
In today’s modern world, there’s a good chance that you might be out of town when you need medical care. With PatientPing, your primary care provider will be notified whenever you receive care. Not only does this help medical teams across the country collaborate and provide better healthcare, it also saves time for patients.
PatientsLikeMe
Often, one of the most challenging parts of a diagnosis is feeling alone. PatientsLikeMe lets people connect to others who have the same illness, to commiserate and share advice. While healing is often the ultimate goal, the chance to bond with other patients can give people hope.
Empathetics
Doctors are incredibly busy, taking care of many patients on a given day. However, research shows that more empathetic doctors who connect with their patients on a human level have better health results. Empathetics trains doctors in relational skills so that they can connect with their patients.
meQuilibrium
Many diseases are exacerbated by stress, and stress can even cause people to develop some illnesses. With meQuilibrium, organizations and individuals can create individualized plans for stress management. The modern world moves fast, and knowing how to build resilience is an essential part of living a healthy life.
—-
The world of healthcare moves fast. Doctors are continually researching new ways to treat patients, as well as how to help people live longer and healthier lives. Practices that are considered top-of-the-line today will be out of date within just a decade. These companies and thousands of others are making a huge difference for the patients of tomorrow.