Healthcare in Poland has been undergoing a real revolution for several years. The Sars-CoV-2 pandemic has forced accelerated digitization, which has changed the availability and quality of medical services. There is still much to be done, and the answer to the challenges is to be found in the increasing use of new technologies, i.e. artificial intelligence (AI), IoT or medical robotics. Innocenta Dźwierzyńska, Business Development Executive at the Healthcare Division, Asseco Poland, talks about what lies ahead in the healthcare sector.

According to the expert from Asseco, this year will see the further development of key trends that emerged several years ago. What is changing, however, is the availability and ways of using technology.

We are facing an opportunity for a great acceleration, and it is up to us - the people involved in healthcare - to determine how this will translate into improvements in the quality of treatment for patients, she said.

The most important IT trends in the medical field according to Innocenta Dźwierzyńska:

AI - unstoppable development

Artificial intelligence (AI) gives us the promise of changing everything in healthcare, from the methods of treating patients, to the creation of drugs, to yet-to-be-determined elements, as its potential seems limitless.

AI can already interpret test results and give recommendations to choose the best treatment. In genetics, it is used to analyze patients' DNA to diagnose and treat diseases and create personalized medicines. In preventive healthcare, it enables early warning and rapid intervention. In disease prognosis, AI can analyze medical data and risk factors to predict the development of diseases. Based on this information, preventive measures can be taken and patients can be monitored to prevent complications.

A very interesting aspect of the revolution that is taking place with the support of AI is elderly care. Our society is aging, we are living longer and longer, and we want to remain fit and active at work, in the family or in society. From this perspective, the ability to monitor the vital signs of the elderly will become increasingly important. Of course, we already have smartwatches today that check heart rate or perform a basic ECG, but the game is about much broader diagnostics and analysis of the acquired data by AI. The results of these measurements could alert the patient and the attending physician to possible health problems.

Moreover, AI can help optimize healthcare processes, i.e. hospital management, scheduling of medical staff and resource management. With the help of algorithms, schedules can be optimized and the efficiency of the entire system can be improved.

It's safe to say that artificial intelligence is a driving force behind the direction in which healthcare will develop and has a bearing on all aspects of healthcare. However, focusing solely on technology can lead to neglecting other aspects of medicine. Despite progress, patients still need emotional support and understanding. AI can be an enabler, but it is human knowledge, understanding and empathy that are crucial to the healing process.

Data stored in emotions

Generative artificial intelligence that creates texts and images from data was a hit in 2023. However, what catches my attention this year and whose development I will be watching is EAI - artificial emotional intelligence. EAI is able to recognize emotions, i.e. happiness, anger, confusion, sadness or sentimentality, even from subtle changes in facial expressions and convert them into data. This is very important for healthcare. Recognizing even subtle differences in mood or behavior and having artificial intelligence respond accordingly will help people struggling with mental illnesses, as well as chronic diseases, to live in better comfort. In particular, it will contribute to the effectiveness of online therapy, adapting to the individual needs of the patient, and can also monitor the behavior of the subject and help diagnose mental disorders. However, remember that this is only a support of the therapeutic process, technological solutions will not replace contact with a specialist.

Training at a higher level

We are seeing a steady development of virtual reality and its application in medicine especially in the training of personnel. This technology allows us to simulate the course of a surgical procedure or the symptoms of a particular patient, which can be helpful in improving the process of diagnosis and the art of surgery.

Tissues straight from the printer

3D printing is already being used to create dental prostheses and implants, rehabilitation and medical equipment, as well as pre-operative planning. However, the future of this technology and its huge potential is bioprinting, that is, printing human tissues that will be able to replace natural organs. With the ever-increasing demand for organ transplants, the technology to produce them is becoming one of the most desirable innovations. We will be able to provide patients with new opportunities for health and life, eliminating long waiting times for transplants and the risk of rejection. Without a doubt, bioprinting is a promising direction for 3D printing and will bring a revolution in the medical field.

Security is crucial

Ensuring the security of patient data is an extremely important topic. We have been observing a number of cyberattacks on healthcare facilities and attempts, unfortunately also successful, to steal this particularly sensitive medical information. Here, a significant role will hopefully be played by the possibility of blockchain technology, which would ensure patient privacy and facilitate the exchange of information between healthcare entities. However, at this point, it does not yet have widespread application in medicine.

Technology revolutionizing medicine is the “Holy Grail” of our time, but the changes taking place should take into account the society in which we live. It is necessary to ensure equal access to AI-based medical care to avoid exacerbating health inequalities. Self-awareness and taking care of one's health is also important. Technology can provide information and support in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but the ultimate responsibility lies with each of us. We need to be aware of our habits and take appropriate action to stay as fit as possible.