Medicine, the science that is more art than rigid methodology. In the expanse and depth of its numerous branches, new things are being discovered every day. Novel research breakthroughs brought us COVID vaccines last year in record time, with the mRNA technology in particular being a lynchpin of halting the spread of the pandemic.
The world relies on innovation in medical research to propel efforts in keeping disease and disaster at bay. Whether it is a career in the medical domain that has caught your fancy, or if you’re interested in what differentiates MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS, there’s no denying that this is an interesting time for research breakthroughs in the medical domain. To give you a tantalizing glimpse of what the future of medicine holds, we have something for you!
10 Trending Research Topics in the Medical Domain for 2022
1. Telemedicine
The COVID 19 pandemic enforced periods of isolation and lockdown upon the general public. With hospitals overwhelmed by the sheer number of Covid 19 cases and only emergency medical requests being catered to in person, telemedicine witnessed a major boom in growth. More and more patients turned to virtual medical appointments for problems that would have normally been taken care of with elective hospital visits.
As a result, the telemedicine industry experienced rapid growth. A study found that telemedicine reduced missed appointments by 13 percent, was of great benefit to patients of chronic diseases as well as mental illnesses, and reduced patient apprehension.
2. Virtual Reality
While VR has been in use for rehabilitative practices and exposure response prevention therapy in cases of anxiety for some time now, it is limited to a few hospitals and universities around the world. In 2022, widespread usage of VR technology is expected in the realms of medical education, perioperative imaging during surgeries, holographic scans that provide far more in-depth information, among others.
3. 3D Printing
From personalized medical equipment to patient specific surgical models that help surgeons improve outcomes of difficult surgeries, 3D printing has been a boon to medicine since its inception. Despite the current lack of 3D printing machines at hospitals, it is a technology whose implications in the health sector are immense and unlimited in scope.
4. Genomics
Imagine a health plan tailor-made for you based on your genes. The application of genomics in medicine is an upcoming field of research that promises manifold gains. Not only will it help provide knowledge to prevent diseases one is susceptible to, it will also provide bespoke treatment solutions to individuals when implemented on a large scale.
5. A New Treatment for a Deadly Brain Tumour
Glioblastoma multiforme is a deadly cancer that begins in the brain. It is nearly always fatal despite maximum treatment and recurs after surgical removal. It is a grim and shattering diagnosis for patients and practically regarded as a death sentence in medicine.
A new ray of hope has been found in a study that used a drug called ADI-PEG20 along with focal brain radiotherapy in animal models leading to complete elimination of the tumour. The cancer did not recur over the lifespan of the animal. If these results can be replicated in human trials, it could mean that a life threatening illness now can be cured.
6. Can a High Fiber Diet Help Stave off Dementia?
While the benefits of consuming a high fiber diet from a digestive system perspective are well known, new evidence is emerging that it could prove to be beneficial for brain health.
A wide ranging study spanning decades of dietary intake in individuals was conducted in Japan and found that groups who had more fiber in their diets had a lower risk of developing dementia. The connection between gut health and brain health is increasingly being studied and shows a lot of promise not just in tackling dementia, but also mood disorders and anxiety.
7. Mechanical Hearts can Generate New Muscle Tissue in Failing Human Hearts
Mechanical left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used in patients of end stage heart failure to assist the heart in pumping blood effectively. New research carried out in a small study in the USA found increased activity in previously dormant regions of hearts where LVADs were used. This indicates the potential of failing hearts to regenerate areas that were non functional and would be pathbreaking for cardiology!
The author would advise against the extrapolation and application of this data to any dormant romantic endeavours.
8. A Growth Factor Protein may Counter Debilitating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a condition that features chronic inflammation of the gut. Patients suffer from a range of symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, bleeding ulcers, stomach pain, and bloating.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered that a growth factor protein called HB-EGF can massively help mitigate IBD symptoms and provide relief to patients.
9. An Injectable Gel that Aids in Recovery of Post Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA)
A new polymer gel incorporating native cartilage proteins and anti-inflammatory compounds has been shown to halt the onset of osteoarthritis occuring after trauma. Injected directly into the joint space, it is expected to aid patients as a sustainable and well tolerated treatment method.
10. Gastrointestinal Hormone may Help Treat Heart and Kidney Failure
The gastrointestinal hormone secretin, associated with stimulating pancreatic secretion, has been shown to have positive effects on heart and kidney function as well. This discovery could lead to future applications in the treatment of heart and kidney failure.
Conclusion
“L’homme c’est rien, l’oeuvre c’est tout,” as Sherlock Holmes quotes in The Red Headed League, which is French for – The man is nothing, the work is everything. From antibiotics to robotic surgery, there is much in medicine that is miraculous. Have you wanted to be amongst the elite luminaries reinventing what is considered possible in the realms of human biology? Or do you see yourself on the frontlines of medicine, applying newfound perspectives to remedy age old problems?
To know about a career in the medical profession, and to discover the paths that lead to a career in the medical research domain, reach out to one of our experts here for career counselling online.
If you want to experience medicine as a career to solve your career doubts, then you can try out our Virtual Internship Program at Mindler today.
