How will robots and automation impact healthcare?

Robotics and automation have ushered in a new era of efficiency and precision in surgery and patient care. Technologies including robotics, AI, and advanced machines are transforming the way healthcare professionals diagnose, treat, and manage patients. With robotic-assisted surgeries, complex procedures can now be performed with extreme precision, reducing human error and improving patient outcomes.

Robots and automation are poised to revolutionize the healthcare sector in a variety of ways such as enhancing patient care, improving efficiency in disease treatment, streamlining administrative tasks, reducing healthcare costs, and improving the allocation of medical resources.

In this article, we will explore the multifaceted impacts of robotics and automation in healthcare, including the opportunities and challenges they bring.

1. Improve surgical precision

One of the most prominent applications of robotics in healthcare is in surgery. Robots can perform complex and precise procedures with greater precision than human surgeons. They can eliminate shaking and provide a stable, magnified view of the surgical site. This results in less invasiveness, faster recovery times, and improved patient outcomes.

2. Telemedicine and telecare

Automation plays a key role in supporting telemedicine and telehealth. Automated diagnostic tools, combined with teleconferencing, allow doctors to monitor and treat patients remotely, especially in remote or underserved areas. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

3. Laboratory automation

Laboratories are adopting automation to streamline repetitive tasks such as sample processing and analysis. This not only speeds up the diagnosis process but also reduces human error. Automated systems are able to process large volumes of samples efficiently, which is important when there are many samples to be tested, especially during disease outbreaks.

4. Drug discovery and development

Robotics and automation are accelerating the drug discovery and development process. High-throughput screening robots can quickly test thousands of compounds, helping to develop new drugs faster. Automated systems are also used in drug manufacturing, ensuring consistency and safety.

In fact, the traditional drug development process is time-consuming, costly and labor-intensive. Statistics show that it takes 12 to 14 years to develop a drug, costing hundreds of millions to a billion dollars. Computer assistance and automation can save more than 50% of this cost, shorten the drug development time, and contribute to more effectively meeting the health care needs of the community.

5. Automate pharmacies

In pharmacies, automation can help dispense medications accurately and reduce medication errors. Robots can manage inventory, package prescriptions, and even provide medication advice. This increases patient safety and frees up pharmacists to focus on clinical research.

6. Patient care and recovery

Robots are being used for patient care and rehabilitation. Assistive robots help patients with mobility issues, facilitating and supporting the lives of the elderly, frail, or those with dysfunctions of body parts that affect mobility. These robots are also being used for rehabilitation and related procedures, such as training and treatment.

Exoskeleton robots are a unique and professional type of service robot. These robots are equipped with multiple devices that can simulate and support the user's movements. The application of exoskeleton robots on the market today focuses on the rehabilitation of patients in the medical field, specifically assisting patients in the process of recovering from injuries and practicing limb movements.

Additionally, exoskeleton robots could be used as everyday objects, or applied to military operations. These technologies could improve patient independence and reduce the burden on healthcare providers.

7. AI-based disease diagnosis

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key component of automation in healthcare. Machine learning algorithms can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, to detect diseases and abnormalities more accurately and quickly than humans. This helps speed up doctors’ diagnoses and treatment decisions.

8. Data management and analysis

Automation is essential to processing the large amounts of data generated in healthcare. Automated data analytics tools can identify trends and insights in patient records, leading to more personalized treatment plans and improved population health management.

9. Supply Chain Management

The healthcare supply chain is complex, involving the procurement and distribution of medical equipment, drugs, and supplies. Automation helps improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure timely access to critical resources.

10. Ethical challenges and considerations

While the benefits of robotics and automation in healthcare are undeniable, they also pose ethical and regulatory challenges. Privacy concerns around patient data in telemedicine, the risk of job displacement due to automation, and the need for strict regulations to ensure the safety of robotic systems are issues that need to be addressed.

11. Cost issues

Implementing robotics and automation in healthcare is a relatively large investment, which can be costly for healthcare facilities. Hospitals and healthcare organizations need to carefully evaluate the return on investment and consider the long-term cost savings of investing in new technologies.

12. Resist change

Healthcare professionals and staff may resist the adoption of new technologies such as robotics and automation due to concerns that they will replace human work or because they are unfamiliar with these advanced technologies. Healthcare facilities need to change their management strategies as well as promote training to overcome staff resistance.