In his new book The Future of Health: Emerging Technologies, Dr. David L. Priede gives a comprehensive view of the new technologies being implemented in the medical field today and in the future. As founder and Director at BioLife Health Center and Research Director at BioLife Neuroscience in Weston, FL, he examines eleven technologies, their uses in the medical field, and the ethical and societal implications their uses may have on patients and society.
Dr. Priede states ‘As we search for new methods of progress in all aspects of our daily lives, how can we ease this burden and create life-changing alterations in the healthcare system today?’ The answers appear to lie in the latest technologies, and their uses in the medical field might be the ‘…answer to radical changes in the near future.’ he concluded.
Each chapter provides the reader with a comprehensive description of the latest technologies and how they’re currently being tested and used in the medical field. Dr. Priede believes that ‘The new landscape includes advancements in virtual healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), nanomedicine, virtual and augmented reality, robot-assisted surgery, 3D printing, wearable healthcare trackers, medical tricorders, genome sequencing, and new drug development.’ These and other technological innovations will fundamentally change the nature of healthcare delivery by better connecting people with services, automating routine tasks, and analyzing patient health information to improve care decisions.
New medical technologies limit human error, provide quicker diagnoses, and offer more treatment and opportunities for more patients. ‘Readers will understand how these technologies are used both by doctors in clinics, hospitals, medical centers and by patients in their own homes.’ Dr. Priede explained. The book also covers the ways the rise in telecommunications and AI can lead to better, faster, and more accurate diagnoses, leading to more patients being seen even with understaffing or patients receiving medical care from their own homes.
Several major fields of study are covered in this book, some of which are newly introduced and are still being tested. ‘Some of the major themes include creating new methods for seeing patients and new innovations in the healthcare system, particularly with new virtual options.’ Dr. Priede said. This will allow more accessible healthcare choices for those currently unable to receive treatment in a physical facility or because of cost.
According to Dr. Priede, “The book gives an accessible outline for those who may be unfamiliar with how these technologies are being tested and used. It also demonstrates how medical professionals are working to develop changes in the current healthcare system.” Readers will also gain an understanding of new ideas that will be implemented in the future of health.
In addition, Dr. Priede has created and introduced in his book a new interdisciplinary model for health: the neurobiopsychosocial framework. The model takes the same factors that George Engel created in 1977 in the biopsychosocial model and tailors it to include neurobiological alterations in one’s health. The new model reflects health development through the close interactions between neurological, biological, psychological, and social factors. This health framework emphasizes the importance of investigating even further beyond the biopsychosocial model when examining a patient to provide a more inclusive and higher care quality. According to Dr. Priede, with all these factors in mind, ‘…the neurobiopsychosocial model can be used today for an even more comprehensive and effective approach to health and wellness.’
Each chapter of the book also details the ethical and social implications of using these technologies. Dr. Priede stated ‘The healthcare industry faces the challenges of addressing ever-increasing patient expectations and lowering costs while still providing consistent healthcare quality.’ These challenges must be addressed, driven by greater efficiency, lower cost, and the ability to satisfy previously unmet medical needs.
The book is available now in the U.S., U.K., Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and India with Amazon Publishing.
