Even before the COVID pandemic hit in early 2020, the healthcare sector was changing in many ways. But when millions of individuals and families faced home confinement for months at a time, several processes within the health-related industries speeded up considerably. For instance, in-person doctor visits gave way to online video sessions with providers, professionals with degrees saw demand for their services rise, preventive care became a burgeoning industry, and direct services from licensed physicians is now a rarity in some locations.
There are multiple trends in the healthcare sector, which is literally changing the face of what was once a slow-moving niche of the overall economy. If you plan on entering the exciting, challenging field of healthcare anytime soon, it’s important to know more about the ongoing transformation of the industry. Here are some key details about the top changes taking place as 2022 gets underway.
Telehealth
Just a few years ago, it was a rarity for patients to interact with nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and mental health professionals via online video chat apps. But after the great COVID lockdown, in-person medical visits began to decrease in number all over the world. This is especially true for routine encounters that don’t require the taking of vitals or physical examination of patients.
Health-Related Degrees
Getting the right degree can make the difference between success and stagnation in any career. But, in a market niche that’s in a state of rapid transformation, getting and paying for schooling is an essential piece of the career puzzle. In an uncertain economy, the smartest way to finance a degree is to take out a private student loan. It’s clear that college is a costly investment that calls for upfront expenses. Knowing how to apply for the best loans can relieve financial pressure and give you time to focus on coursework. To learn more, check out a comprehensive online guide that explains how to take out private student loans without a cosigner. Getting a diploma is tough enough, so it makes good sense to deal with the financial part of the quest before getting your degree in nursing, pre-med, biology, or other relevant areas.
Home Health Services
On-call services by nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists are on the rise. Part of the boom in this area is related to an aging population that requires more home-based services. But another part of the reason is connected to the popularity of non-doctor services. In fact, there’s a trend toward the use of non-MD workers like medical technicians, therapists, physician assistants, and nurses for all kinds of in-home examinations. Part of the new home delivery economy includes the medical profession, and the change appears to be a permanent one.
Preventive Care
One of the biggest transformations in medicine is the increased use of preventive treatment. Professionals and patients understand the basic logic behind the move. It’s nearly always much easier, more effective, and less costly to screen people for illnesses than wait for a problem to arise and treat it after the fact.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
