John A. Macoviak is a healthcare author and retired transplant surgeon. In the following article, Dr. Macoviak discusses how synthetic medicine is influencing healthcare.
The strides that modern medicine has made, even within recent years, is unparalleled. When one takes a glance at the ever-growing list of accomplishments the medicinal world has made as of late, one of the truest standouts is that of synthetic medicine.
Though the word “synthetic” may be cause for concern, especially in a society that values all-natural and organic techniques in every aspect of their lives, when it comes to medicine- syntheticism may be nothing short of a major achievement.
The Role of Data Synthetization
John A. Macoviak explains that the true hero of the future of medicine is that of biomarkers- or the individual pinpoints of data obtained from both sick and healthy patients. The more biomarkers collected from a range of people, the more structured of a profile doctors and professionals will be able to create.
When it comes to synthetic medicine, a varying number of biomarkers will be collected. Not only will it include the standard: height, weight, symptoms, etc.- but it will also account for genetic predisposition, demographic, and clinical and biological data. John A. Macoviak explains that these markers will be gathered during initial visits, as well as lab testing and the like.
Though not yet confirmed, it’s more than likely that these points will be uploaded into an anonymous data server- or formed into a digital avatar in a “virtual reality”-esque repository where doctors can test different forms of intervention, and make the strongest possible antidotal choices for patients with varying degrees of similarity in symptoms and diagnosis.
Collecting Data and The Patient/Doctor Relationship
For the patient, John A. Macoviak says that learning that they’re going to become a primary source of information in the medicinal world may be overwhelming. It’s difficult enough to be undergoing a health scare, but it shouldn’t be exaggerated by feeling like a “guinea pig” to those who are trying to treat you.
Thankfully, the outlook of synthetic medicine places the value of the relationship between patient and doctor in great importance. Trust is the foundation of data analysis, and helping the patient feel as comfortable as possible during data collection is paramount explains John A. Macoviak.
In the coming years, data collection doesn’t have to occur in a sterile room surrounded by employees in scrubs. Thanks to the aid of mobile devices and wearable sensors and trackers, patients can undergo data collection from the comfort of their own home. This will occur alongside therapeutic interventions, to aid in patient comfort.
Working Towards a Cure
John A. Macoviak explains that synthetic medicine, and all of the aspects that make it as effective as it is, can mean remarkable things for the future of medicine. Not only does the patient-centric approach allow for a more personal experience, but it could mean a cure for many patients who didn’t think relief was possible.
This is especially potent for those currently going gene therapy, or the prevention or treatment of diseases through the use of genetic material. With synthesized data, John A. Macoviak explains that a major form of treatment could be predicting and rebuilding RNA strands, serving as an overarching remedy, or a functional cure for those with hard-to-treat ailments.
Changing The Tide
As of now, John A. Macoviak says that the medicinal “standard” involves having a singular form of medication for every illness, ailment, or disease. Though effective, this technique doesn’t regard the nuances that each individual person is experiencing. This issue has been a major cause of concern for scientists everywhere and is the foundation for the changes that will be made in the future.
The growth of synthetic medicine is the consequence of a multitude of smaller accomplishments in the world of computerized advantages, precision medicine, as well as synthetic biology according to John A. Macoviak. The combination of these arenas allows medicine to be a truly personalized experience that places the patient and their individual concerns at the center of what medication will be given to them.
This is notable for a number of reasons- the first one being the increase in data analysis- the data points extracted from each patient will go towards strengthening the approach to their ailments, which could mean other victims of the same or similar illnesses may find relief more easily.
For the patient, these changes could mean desensitizing their diseases. John A. Macoviak says that these data points allow each person in treatment to further understand their diagnosis, and in turn become less scared or worried about the prognosis of their illness. It may also comfort them to know that their time in the hospital isn’t time wasted, as they’re playing a major part of a higher cause.
