The University of Manchester are working alongside a number of parties to create a huge network of computer programs which could potentially change the way healthcare is delivered around the world. The project, heavily backed by a large European research program, involves creating 'virtual patients', essentially an algorithmic version of the human body which could allow healthcare plans to be individually tailored for every individual based on both their physiological and genetic composition.
The potential benefits are massive, and could eventually allow doctors to have instant access to a patients specific health needs and would allow a far quicker diagnosis of illness as well as flagging up medication which could prove harmful or may not be effective for the patient, saving a fortune on wasted drugs.
It is, obviously, an extremely complex system and it is a long way from reaching the operational stage, but the possibilities are staggering. Once completed it will be able to give the outcome of any number of hypothetical scenarios, such as the benefits and risks of a patient taking a certain medication or the impact of the person exercising regularly. It could lead to far quicker diagnosis, better treatment, shorter hospital stays and could even be hugely beneficial economically as it would vastly reduce levels of sickness and absence.
It’s early yet, but this is an exciting project. More details can be found in the article over at Medical News Today.
Posted in:
0 nháºn xét:
Post a Comment