The future of medicine is changing rapidly, and many believe that physicians will soon be obsolete. With medical schools currently experiencing a shortage of applicants, it might seem like a wise decision to become a physician now. However, before making any decisions, it’s essential to consider all the factors involved in this career choice. This article will explore the changing landscape of medicine and what it means for those considering a healthcare career.

Can doctors become obsolete?

First, we’ll discuss the problem of a shrinking healthcare workforce and what it could mean for those pursuing this career.

In recent years, smartphones have transformed from luxury items into an integral part of people’s everyday lives, as more apps are being created to make our lives easier. There are now apps that do pretty much anything you can imagine: from finding your lost iPhone to helping you fold clothes. As we’ve seen with other technology such as iPods and calculators, once someone invents something valuable and convenient enough, people quickly want it everywhere they go –including the doctor’s office. And so enters the smartphone medical apps industry.

Currently, most published studies on mobile health apps are funded by the industry, typically on m-health education. For example, just last summer, two new apps were created to help people learn more about their health conditions. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania tested both of these apps on a group of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes. They found that not only did participants find them helpful in learning more about their disease, but they felt a greater sense of empowerment over their illness.

And while it’s great that these tools exist for those who wish to learn more, let’s keep in mind that many physicians today have already incorporated technology into their practice to aid in diagnosis and treatment guidance.

An article from 2013 states that “78% [of doctors] possess smartphones and 59% of those use them for patient consultations, and 62% use them to access medical records.” Furthermore, “mobile devices are widely used in clinics and hospitals, particularly for diagnostic imaging”, – so it seems that the smartphone is already making its mark on modern medicine.

Additionally, there’s a growing trend of robot-assisted surgery, which has been around since the 1980s but has recently become more widespread as technology advances. In these surgeries, tiny robots perform tasks like suturing blood vessels or removing dangerous cancerous tissue. Since these surgeries involve less cutting and thus minor bleeding (and even no transfusions!), many patients experience faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays. However, some doctors believe that robot-assisted surgery comes at too great a price.

Furthermore, since both augmented reality and 3D printing are still being tested for safety and efficiency, it seems that they’re not quite ready to become widely integrated into hospitals just yet – but we may see some practical uses sooner rather than later. For instance, we’ll likely begin seeing robots assist during surgeries more often as technology advances and surgeons feel more comfortable with this type of assistance.

And virtual reality has already been used on children under anaesthesia: research shows that those who played a VR game before surgery experienced fewer postoperative complications. So while these technologies are still being tested, it’s clear that they’re on their way to becoming a regular part of healthcare.

In addition to apps and robots, one must also consider artificial intelligence advancements within the healthcare industry. In late 2016, Google DeepMind announced that its algorithms could detect eye disease and human ophthalmologists – and more recently, it reported a study showing that its AI system can detect abnormalities better than a group of radiologists working independently.

But, of course, all this begs the question:

• will physicians soon be obsolete?
• And is it a bad idea to become a physician in the next decade?

Some specialists are now pushing for hospitals to adopt telemedicine, which uses video conferencing technologies to diagnose and treat patients remotely. So, for example, if you break your arm but live in Vermont, doctors at the University of Vermont could potentially help set it through teleconference with an orthopedist down the road at Fletcher Allen Health Care.

Not only does this mean that nurses lying in wait won’t be necessary, but it means there will no longer be a need for scheduled office visits – so physicians can focus more on patient care and less on bureaucracy. Many companies and insurance providers are already using telemedicine as an alternative to employer-sponsored health plans, and soon we may see it as a convenient option right in the comfort of our own homes.

It’s important to note that while telemedicine and mobile health apps are becoming more popular, they aren’t a replacement for a real human being – at least not yet. So if you want a second opinion or prefer talking to someone face-to-face, visiting your local clinic will still be necessary (for now). And while robot-assisted surgeries can lead to fewer complications, there’s no guarantee of accuracy; if something does go wrong, you’ll want an actual physician around who can fix the problem.

In the end, it seems that much like how medical advancements in the past led to an overhaul of the healthcare system and improved care for patients, we’re now seeing a similar pattern through technology. Whether or not physicians truly become obsolete is yet to be seen – only time will tell what lies ahead for this field.