In 2025, what are the emerging trends and patterns likely to impact careers in medtech?
As part of our month-long focus on future health, we have compiled a list of some of the most interesting trends dictating STEM careers based at the crossroads between science, technology and healthcare. So, if you are a student, early-career starter or established professional, what topics in the future health realm should you keep an eye on, to ensure your career is moving with the times?
Regulatory frameworks
While regulatory changes are not new, the political, economic and social influences that govern them can change at the drop of a hat, leaving organisations and their employees in limbo. The best example would be the current threat of heavy tariffs to be levied against the many multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in Ireland.
Future health professionals need to ensure that they have a solid understanding of how their career and the industry they are in can be transformed by shifting global policies. Experts should also keep abreast of their region’s rules around controversial topics such as AI, privacy, ethics and more, to make sure they are not in breach of any laws or policies.
By understanding how a model works, why it is in place and what or who it is protecting, professionals can limit harm and keep the focus on innovating for a more just healthcare system.
Robotics
The days of robotics being crude or clunky are long behind us, as some have been built to have even greater dexterity than that of a qualified surgeon, making precision-based research and treatment a whole new ball game.
Professionals who want to be on the cutting edge of innovation in the future health space should consider developing skills that would enable them to work in the area of robotics, whether that is in exoskeletons and prosthetics, AI technologies, surgery aids or cybersecurity. As with most STEM careers, the opportunities to branch out, collaborate and learn new skills are many, you just have to go looking for them.
Remote medicine
The healthcare system, as with basically everything in life, is not equitable, however, professionals in the future health sphere have a responsibility to democratise it where possible. One such approach is ensure access to care and services no matter where people live.
Telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies are one such move in the right direction. Covid-19, among other things, was proof that decent healthcare need not be bound to one location or country. Wearables can now track a person’s health, giving them far more options when managing chronic or debilitating conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, among others.
STEM professionals looking to have a long career in the medtech space in particular should look into establishing foundational skill in UX, data analysis, software and IoT systems to start, as remote medicine is only going to continue to evolve.
Digital twins
Digital twins, that is virtual representations of an object or system, designed to reflect the physical object accurately, are a novel and innovative way to get the full picture. By simulating an area in need of improvement, for example a machine or even someone’s organs, researchers and medical professionals can experiment and locate the source of a problem without causing damage to an expensive device or a human being.
Technical professionals in STEM careers who want to develop their skills for a role in healthcare might find working on digital twins to be an excellent opportunity to merge their skills and work on the ‘next big thing’.
So, there you have it – four exciting trends that STEM experts should consider exploring, for a long, adventurous and always interesting career in the future health space.
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