Reimagining Patient Care: How Technology is Personalising Clinical Treatments
Technology is not just enhancing clinical treatments, it’s fundamentally transforming them.
As a leading Strategy and Architecture IT service provider and Business Owner, with a personal deep-rooted passion for clinical care, I’ve witnessed how technology can bridge the gap between generic care models and personalised, patient-centric solutions. The shift toward personalised clinical treatments is revolutionising patient care, leading to better outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and more efficient healthcare systems.
Let’s look at some of these developments . .
The Rise of Personalised Medicine: A Paradigm Shift
Personalised medicine, or precision medicine, tailors treatment to each patient’s unique characteristics. This approach contrasts with traditional one-size-fits-all models. In the UK, personalised medicine is becoming more prevalent, with over 70% of cancer treatments now tailored to the individual. Advances in genomic medicine, data analytics, and AI drive this trend, allowing clinicians to craft treatments based on a patient’s genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
Orthodontics and Dentistry: Precision and Personalisation
1. Digital Dentistry and 3D Printing
Digital technologies, such as 3D printing, CAD/CAM, and digital imaging, have revolutionised Orthodontics and Dentistry. I recall the shift to digital dentistry vividly. 3D printing, for example, is used to create custom-made dental appliances like aligners, leading to more accurate and comfortable treatments, as seen with Invisalign (a brace system I used to specialise in).
2. Intraoral Scanners and Digital Impressions
Intraoral scanners have replaced traditional, uncomfortable dental impressions with quick, highly accurate digital impressions. Nearly70% of UK Orthodontic and Dental Practices now use these scanners, improving both treatment precision and patient experience.
3. AI in Orthodontics
AI is making waves in Orthodontics. I used to use a UK-based company called Dental Monitoring, which uses AI to track patient progress between visits, allowing real-time adjustments to treatment plans. This technology reduces treatment times and enhances overall care effectiveness.
Technology at the Forefront: Tools Enabling Personalised Care
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning are at the heart of the personalisation revolution. In the UK, the NHS has been actively investing in AI technologies to predict patient outcomes, optimise treatment plans, and assist in early diagnosis. AI can also now accelerate drug discovery, enabling more targeted and effective therapies.
Researchers from Iraq and Australia have developed an AI algorithm that can diagnose diseases such as diabetes, anaemia, asthma, COVID-19, liver and gallbladder disease. This is made possible by analysing the colour of the human tongue. AI has been trained using 5,260 tongue images, and has successfully diagnosed 59 out of 60 test cases. A camera was placed 20cm from each patient and captured their tongue images, allowing the system to predict these health conditions in real time. Professor Al-Naji noted that this technology replicates a 2,000 year old practice from traditional Chinese medicine and could potentially be used via smartphone in the future.
2. Genomic Medicine
The UK’s 100,000 Genomes Project, which concluded in 2018, has laid the foundation for integrating genomics into everyday clinical care. This project sequenced the genomes of 100,000 participants, providing invaluable data that is now being used to develop personalised treatments. This is allowing clinicians to understand how genetic makeup influences treatment responses, enabling more precise and effective interventions.
3. Wearable Technology and Remote Monitoring
Wearable technology is another disrupter. Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers can monitor vital signs and track health in real-time. With over 7 million UK adults using wearable devices, remote monitoring is becoming essential for managing chronic conditions without frequent hospital visits.
Remote monitoring, facilitated by these devices, enables clinicians to provide continuous care without the need for frequent hospital visits. This approach is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, where regular monitoring is essential for effective treatment.
Overcoming Challenges: Integration and Ethical Considerations
While the benefits of personalised medicine are clear, the journey towards widespread adoption is not without challenges. Integrating new technologies into existing healthcare infrastructures requires careful planning and expertise in enterprise architecture. This is where specialist strategy and architecture IT services play a crucial role, ensuring that new systems are interoperable, secure, and scalable.
Ethical considerations, especially around sensitive patient data, are also paramount, with compliance to regulations like the UK’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) essential.
The Future of Personalised Care: A Collaborative Approach
The future of personalised care lies in collaboration. Clinicians, technologists, and enterprise architects must work together to design and implement systems that support the delivery of personalised treatments. At Entasis Partners, we are committed to bridging the gap between technology and patient care, leveraging our expertise in IT Strategy and Architecture to create solutions that can contribute to enhancing patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes.
Conclusion: Patient Care First and Always
The integration of technology into clinical treatments is accelerating. Personalised medicine is now a reality, reshaping patient care by harnessing the power of AI, genomics, and wearable technology. For healthcare providers and businesses looking to stay ahead, the time to invest in personalised care is now. Whether implementing new technologies or refining existing systems, the right strategy and architecture are crucial to success.
We are passionate about contributing toward the personalised treatments that patients deserve.
