Technology trends in health care

By Marylou Bride

The health care industry will see significant technological advancements in 2025. The industry will focus on enhancing patient care, improving operational efficiency and addressing systemic challenges. Trends for 2025 include the following:

1. Expansion of telehealth services

Telehealth has become integral to health care delivery, extending beyond basic consultations to encompass specialties like mental health, chronic disease management and remote physical therapy. This expansion increases access to care, particularly for individuals in remote or underserved areas. 

RxNT

2. Remote Patient Monitoring 

Remote patient monitoring utilizes wearable devices and internet technology to enable real-time health monitoring. This approach is beneficial for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, allowing for timely interventions and personalized care plans. 

RxNT

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics

AI is transforming health care by automating documentation, aiding in diagnosis and supporting clinical decision-making. Predictive analytics facilitate early disease detection and the development of personalized treatment plans, enhancing patient outcomes. 

Lucid Reality Labs

4. Integration of extended reality technologies

Extended reality encompasses virtual reality and augmented reality and is being integrated into medical training and patient care. These technologies offer immersive simulations for surgical training and patient rehabilitation, improving both educational outcomes and patient experiences. 

Lucid Reality Labs

5. Data-Driven Health care 

The increasing availability of health data is enabling more refined and personalized health care services. Robust systems are being developed to manage and leverage this information for informed decision-making, improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. 

AMN Health Care

Innovations in mental health 

Two notable advancements in mental health technology include AI-powered therapists and wearable EEG devices, both offering promising avenues for support and early detection of mental health conditions.

AI therapists:

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being integrated into mental health services through AI-powered chatbots and virtual therapists. These platforms provide immediate, 24/7 support, making mental health care more accessible and affordable. For instance, applications like Woebot and Wysa utilize AI to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy via mobile apps, offering results comparable to traditional CBT. 

Builtin

Additionally, companies like Mindvalley are developing AI tools such as E.V.E., designed to function as a therapist and personal assistant by sensing users’ emotions through wearable devices. E.V.E. aims to offer personalized guidance on various aspects of users’ lives, including health, relationships, and career goals. 

The Sun

While AI therapists offer numerous benefits, including reducing barriers to seeking help, such as stigma or cost, they are not intended to replace human therapists entirely. Instead, they serve as complementary tools that can provide immediate support and bridge gaps in mental health care accessibility. 

Builtin

Wearable EEG Devices:

Wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) devices are emerging as valuable tools in mental health care. These devices monitor brain activity in real-time, enabling the early detection of conditions like depression and anxiety. By providing continuous monitoring, wearable EEGs can identify atypical neural patterns associated with mental health disorders, facilitating timely interventions.

The integration of wearable EEG devices into daily life allows for unobtrusive monitoring, empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward managing their mental health. Early detection through these devices can lead to more effective treatment plans and better outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Robotic-assisted surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery enables minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision, flexibility, and control compared to traditional methods. Surgeons operate robotic instruments through small incisions, leading to reduced trauma and faster recovery times for patients. 

Mayo Clinic

A notable example is the da Vinci Xi surgical system, which has been utilized in various complex surgeries, including pediatric cases. In a recent case, an 8-year-old boy in Australia underwent a successful robotic-assisted kidney surgery, resulting in a significantly shortened recovery period. 

The Courier-Mail

The Symani surgical system, featuring wristed robotic arms with seven degrees of flexibility, became the first FDA-approved robot for microsurgery in April 2024. Designed to mitigate human hand tremors during operations, this advanced technology marks a significant milestone in surgical robotics. 

Time

Exoskeletons in rehabilitation

In rehabilitation, advanced wearable robotics, such as exoskeletons, assist patients in regaining mobility after injuries or neurological conditions like strokes. These devices support and enhance movement, facilitating repetitive, precise exercises essential for recovery. 

Physiopedia

An example of the exoskeleton is Keontae Clark, a 26-year-old former tennis player from San Francisco, who walked for the first time in more than 13 years with the aid of a robotic exoskeleton suit. After surviving a severe car accident in 2011, which resulted in paralysis from the waist down, Clark had been wheelchair-bound. Over the past four months, she has been training with the exoskeleton, progressively regaining confidence and strength in her movements. 

The Sun

Additionally, the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has developed a robot named ARI to assist patients with rehabilitation. Following a successful two-week trial with health care professionals, ARI will now be tested with real patients to aid their recovery post-surgery or trauma by providing verbal instructions, encouragement and demonstrating exercises. 

The Scottish Sun

The sources for technology trends in health care are listed at the end of the paragraphs.