Today’s healthcare systems rely heavily on technology and programming. Without the widespread integration of computer science in healthcare, medicine and related disciplines would be close to a century behind the current standards.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of computer science in healthcare in clinical and research senses, as well as delve into the world of health informatics. We will also talk about the future of computer science in healthcare including emerging healthcare technologies.
Health Informatics as the Meeting Point of Two Disciplines
Computer science and healthcare may seem like very different fields at first glance. Computer science deals with the complexities of computational systems, while healthcare involves providing medical care to communities. However, a new field called health informatics seeks to merge these two disparate areas by exploring how computer science can be used to improve healthcare.
Health informatics is a field of computer science that focuses on the development and implementation of technology within healthcare.
Its goal is to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare by creating systems that can store, process, analyze, and communicate information related to healthcare. This includes electronic health records, medical decision-support systems, and remote monitoring systems.
Health informatics as a field has been around since the advent of computers back in 1950s. As soon as these old powerful machines were invented, scientists and healthcare professionals acknowledged the potential of computers in cracking large amounts of data in medical sciences.
Today, health informatics has evolved and expanded to include new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and blockchain. These technologies are enabling doctors to better diagnose diseases, make decisions more quickly, reduce costs, and improve safety.
The Role of Computer Science in Healthcare Practice
Healthcare practice is everything related to clinical operations, which mainly involves doctor-patient interactions, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-up care.
In this field of practice, computer science plays an immense role in automating certain processes, streamlining data collection and management, and improving the quality of care. Let’s review the different domains computer science supports in modern healthcare.
1. Healthcare Сoordination
Healthcare coordination is strongly dependent on present technologies based on computer science. Doctor appointment reservations, reminders, doctor-patient communication, and digital prescriptions are currently based on web-based platforms that allow physicians and patients to access these services.
2. Telehealth
Lately, telehealth appointments and medical record sharing have become possible through the use of specially-engineered software. Patients are now able to attend virtual appointments and receive advice and treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
Such appointments are often used in urgent care, internal medicine, psychiatry, and follow-up care. They also decrease the burden on healthcare systems, especially during the pandemic.
3. Healthcare Management Systems
Before the advent of computers, health records used to be kept on pen and paper, and their storage required colossal spaces in hospitals and related care facilities.
Now, however, most of the medical records are kept within compact hard drives or in the cloud, saving space and time needed to extract them. Electronic medical records (EMR) allow physicians to access patient records, their medical history and diagnostic test results, within seconds at a click of a computer mouse.
Ordering and review of diagnostic tests can also be made via a simple electronic manipulation. Besides these, inventory management has also become significantly uncomplicated with the use of computer technology.
4. Diagnostic Tests
Some diagnostic tests are only possible with the use of automated computer systems, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, computerized tomography, MRI, and PET scans.
Others, including simple blood tests, can be done by hand, but have been vastly streamlined with the use of automation and programming.
Overall, diagnostic tests are made more sensitive, accurate, and quicker with the incorporation of computer science in healthcare.
5. Medical Devices
Ever been in a hospital and heard devices beeping all around you? Yes, all of those devices use programming to function.
In fact, modern healthcare systems are heavily dependent on automated medical devices that measure and monitor vital signs in real-time. These include pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, ECG machines, and ventilators.
Besides the hospital, latest innovations bring us wearable devices that help us track and monitor our own vital signs and health conditions. In addition, many mobile apps that are programmed by developers help us monitor our own health.
6. Public Health
Finally, computer science plays an immense role in public health. Computer modeling and analysis are used to understand the spread of infectious diseases, as well as research on epidemiology. The use of predictive algorithms can also help identify populations at risk for certain diseases.
The Role of Computer Science in Healthcare Research
Biomedical research that has been the pivotal force in advancing our knowledge in the field of medicine is also heavily dependent on computer science.
Using algorithms and complex programming, researchers can analyze data from a variety of sources, such as genomic data and medical records. These data can be used to identify drug targets, create personalized therapies, and even diagnose diseases.
1. Computational Biostatistics
One of the key roles of computer science in healthcare research is the use of computational biostatistics. This involves the use of computer systems and software applications to analyze, interpret, and visualize data from clinical trials.
The use of biostatistics has allowed researchers to identify trends and patterns in healthcare data that would otherwise be hard to detect. It can also be used to develop population health models and understand the efficacy of certain treatments.
2. Study Administration
The administrative side of research studies also relies heavily on computer science. Automated systems are used to manage the information collected in clinical trials, such as patient data, study protocols, and results.
Using automated systems simplifies the process of collecting and managing research data. It also helps to streamline the process of running clinical trials, ensuring that they are done securely and accurately.
3. Genomic Sequencing
The advancement of computer science has been instrumental in the development of genomic sequencing technologies. This technology allows us to analyze and compare DNA sequences on a massive scale and identify genetic mutations that are responsible for certain diseases or disorders.
The use of computer science has also enabled researchers to create databases of genomic data that can be used to identify patterns and develop personalized treatments.
4. Computational Modeling
Computational modeling is one of the most powerful tools in healthcare research. This technology enables researchers to simulate biological systems and understand their behavior and interactions. For example, it can be used to analyze the effects of certain drugs on the body or predict how a virus will spread in a population.
Emerging Applications of Computer Science in Healthcare
Computer science is on the road to bringing even more advanced technologies in healthcare that are extremely exciting and powerful.
1. Artificial Intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising applications of computer science in healthcare. AI can be used to analyze large amounts of patient data and make connections impossible to notice for the human eye.
AI can help make diagnostic and treatment decisions with extreme accuracy, as well as help to identify targets for drug development. AI-powered systems can also reduce the burden of manual data entry and streamline processes in the healthcare industry.
2. Robotics
Have you heard about the novel robotic technology that allows surgeons across the world perform highly intricate surgery on distant patients with the use of robotic arms? This technology is revolutionizing healthcare, and it’s all possible thanks to computer science.
Robotic devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are being used in more and more medical procedures. They can also be programmed to perform certain tasks with precision on their own, reducing the risk of human error and helping to reduce the cost of healthcare.
Computer science is also being used to develop autonomous robots that can assist with medical procedures, such as administering medication and collecting patient data.
3. 3D Printing Tissues/Organs
3D printing has been used to create a variety of objects, including medical prosthetics, implants, and even organs.
Using computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing, researchers are now able to create living tissue that closely resembles human organs. This technology could revolutionize transplant medicine and pave the way for personalized treatments.
4. Nanomedicine
Nanomedicine is a rapidly developing field of medicine that utilizes nanotechnology to diagnose and treat medical conditions. This technology can be used to create tiny robots that can be injected into the bloodstream to detect and treat disease.
Computer science is playing an increasingly important role in the development of nanomedicine, enabling us to create these miniature robots and control their behavior with precision.
As computer science continues to make strides in healthcare, the possibilities are endless. From AI and robotics to 3D printing and nanomedicine, computer science is revolutionizing the healthcare industry and paving the way for better, more affordable care for all.
It is clear that computer science has a major role to play in the future of healthcare, from identifying genetic mutations to performing highly precise surgeries. As computer science continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative healthcare solutions in the near future.
How to Become a Specialist in Health Informatics
Does what you are reading excite you and motivate you to pursue a career in this field? If so, there are many options available to you.
You can get into the field of health informatics by getting a Bachelor’s degree in this field. These specialized programs teach you how to use computers and technology in the healthcare setting in order to achieve some of the goals outlined above.
You can also get a Master’s degree in health informatics after obtaining an undergraduate degree in another related field such as computer science or biomedical sciences. This will give you advanced knowledge and skills to take on more complex roles in the field.
You can also specialize in a certain area of informatics such as electronic health records or clinical decision support systems. This can help you stand out in the field and open up more opportunities for advancement.
No matter which route you choose, it is important to gain experience in the field. This can be done through internships, volunteer work, and research projects.
Health informatics is an exciting field that will continue to grow as technology advances. If you are passionate about healthcare and technology, this could be the perfect career path for you.
Conclusion
Computer science plays a critical role in today’s healthcare practices and research. Without computer science, many of the technologies we rely on for diagnosis and treatment would not exist today.
Appointment coordination, diagnostic testing, record keeping, and modern biomedical devices all depend on technology that has been developed through computer science. Additionally, emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, 3D printing, and nanomedicine are revolutionizing the healthcare industry and paving the way for personalized treatments.
Computer science is an essential component of modern healthcare and will continue to play a major role in the future of medicine. With the right education and experience, you too can become a specialist in health informatics and make a real difference in today’s world.
Elmar Mammadov is a software developer, tech startup founder, and computer science career specialist. He is the founder of CS Careerline and a true career changer who has previously pursued careers in medicine and neuroscience.
Due to his interest in programming and years of past personal experience in coding, he decided to break into the tech industry by attending a Master’s in Computer Science for career changers at University of Pennsylvania. Elmar passionately writes and coaches about breaking into the tech industry and computer science in general.