Katie Gilsenan, senior trends analyst at GlobalWebIndex, writes about what we can expect in 2020 after publication of its report. Having an appointment with your doctor online will become as normal as making a payment on an app or booking a taxi through Uber. Because technologies like AI and telehealth, among others, are solving problems in healthcare. According to the World Health Organisation, global healthcare spending reached $7.5 trillion in 2016, representing 10% of global GDP. Growing and aging populations, as well as the increase in chronic diseases are among some of the top contributors to these statistics and as a result, hospitals and physicians are under immense strain.

In the near future, having an appointment with your doctor online will become as normal as making a payment on an app or booking a taxi through Uber. Disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telehealth, along with tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google, are changing the face of healthcare as we know it. According to the World Health Organisation, global healthcare spending reached $7.5 trillion in 2016, representing 10% of global GDP. Growing and aging populations, as well as an increase in chronic diseases are among some of the biggest contributors to these rising costs and as a result, hospitals and physicians are under immense strain. This is where technological advancements could potentially alleviate some of the problems affecting the healthcare industry, particularly when it comes to creating greater efficiencies across the board.