Some essential health tech skills are:
1. AI and deep learning
While experts have continued to gradually expand the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid application of its capabilities in drug discovery, testing, prevention, vaccine development and more.
With an increase in the utilization of technology, there is also an increased demand for experts in the field. The demand also extends to deep learning experts, who can help by developing end-to-end sophisticated AI solutions to provide insights at every stage of the health care continuum, from diagnostics to care delivery and from health data analytics to population health management.
The advances extend beyond helping connect disparate data sets using AI and machine learning technologies to get a more unified picture of the individuals behind the data. Professionals in the field can also contribute to enabling early diagnosis, better outcomes and reducing the cost of care.
2. Cloud computing
One of the 4 pillars of the quadruple aim of health care is affordability. Cloud computing not only leads to efficient operations but also lower costs by enabling users to gain access to services such as storage software, databases and networking, via the internet through a cloud provider.
Cloud computing also allows for easy tracking of patient data and safe storage, as well as telehealth care delivery. It is estimated that the cloud manages data for approximately 83% of the global health care sector.
This necessitates the hiring of cloud engineers and architects who can design, implement, configure and maintain cloud-based systems in health-tech organizations.
Cloud service platform expertise, programming language knowledge and database management experience, among other things, are highly sought-after skills in health technologists.
3. Extended reality (XR)
Global augmented reality and virtual reality in health care are projected to grow at a CAGR rate of 26.88% from 2022 to 2030. COVID-19 has fueled the rise of these immersive technologies, making way for increasingly leveraged augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies in health care.
Applications of XR technology in health care are going to be widespread in intraoperative surgery, training of health care professionals, physiotherapy, accurate diagnosis, anatomy, visualization and more, with the potential to reduce costs and enhance patient satisfaction.
Skills like programming, UI/UX development, project management, etc., along with a passion for driving impact and improving health care for everyone, are imperative for aspiring professionals in the field.
4. Data science
In health care, the primary focus of technology services has affixed to data interoperability, collaboration and keeping all health care professionals connected as patients progress through their treatment or care plan.
Health care organizations, hospitals and other care facilities rely on these systems to manage patient care, billing, health care data and other tasks. Data scientists and health care software engineers are tasked with helping to develop these systems.
Companies are seeking software engineers who have a knowledge of security controls, governance procedures and compliance, as well as abilities in C#, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Linux development and Java.
5. Actuarial science
With health care evolving and becoming increasingly complex, the demand for actuaries is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Armed with an understanding of risk management and programming skills, actuaries bring a lot of value to the industry by analyzing medical trends, developing customized products, and helping stakeholders make informed decisions about the costs, growth and benefits associated with different care plans and policies.
Identifying new variables to estimate risks better would improve health equity and create an environment of trust and security among insurers, providers, regulators and the end customer.
As the application of technology increases in health care, actuaries will prove to be extremely valuable to government and insurance agencies, research organizations, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies and others. Along with relevant education, aspiring professionals in the field will need technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of statistical analysis, mathematics and economics.
Technologists making way for the future
Technology is helping modernize, streamline and simplify the complex and fragmented health system, which has been difficult to navigate for both consumers and the organizations serving them. While technological advancements have always had an undeniable impact on almost all processes and practices in health care, COVID-19 has accelerated their influence at an unprecedented rate.
Working in this space offers professionals the opportunity to build solutions that can help create the future of health care and make a real impact on the communities around them.
This article, authored by Madhuri Raya, senior director, Software Engineering at Optum Global Solutions (India) Private Limited, was published in Express Computer.
