Alex Fairweather looks at trending applications of emerging technologies in private practice.
“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” Elbert Hubbard.
The recurring theme of my research and writing has been that technology is best used when augmenting human expertise and performance, not replacing it. This article summarises this year’s trends of applying emerging technologies in healthcare organisations and provides a clear picture of how technology can be applied in practice.
Technology in administrative functions
Automation in patient communications, note-taking and revenue cycle management (RCM) represents another significant opportunity, with AI-powered tools handling appointment scheduling, medical documentation, medical billing and patient communications. AI medical scribes, for example, transcribe patient interactions in real-time, generating structured clinical notes and freeing practitioners to focus entirely on patient care. These systems reduce documentation burden by up to 50%, directly addressing one of the primary causes of physician burnout. RCM solutions streamline financial operations by automating front-end tasks such as client intake, insurance eligibility verification, and client communication.
AI-enabled platforms used for internal communications provide solutions for the unique challenges faced by healthcare workers. Effective communication is essential to the successful running of healthcare systems of any size, ensuring staff are informed, engaged and able to be deployed where they are most needed.
Data storage and sharing
Blockchain technology offers private practices advanced protection for patient data by using strong cryptographic algorithms and a decentralised, tamper-proof system that eliminates single points of failure and enables secure, auditable access. It allows seamless, privacy-compliant data sharing between providers and gives patients control over who accesses their information, building trust and improving transparency. By strengthening data security, streamlining compliance, and enhancing interoperability, blockchain helps private doctors minimise data breach risk, ensure patient confidentiality, and coordinate care more effectively.
Personalised treatment and predictive health analytics
AI applications can analyse complex medical imaging data, laboratory results, and patient histories to identify patterns that may signal disease onset long before traditional methods can detect them. For private practitioners, this translates to earlier interventions, better patient outcomes, and enhanced diagnostic accuracy. By analysing data from previous treatments, genetic information, and patient-specific factors, AI systems can recommend therapies more likely to be effective.
Digital twin technology creates virtual replicas of patients that integrate real-time data from multiple sources, including electronic health records, wearables, and medical devices. This emerging technology enables private practitioners to simulate treatment scenarios, predict disease progression, and optimise personalised care plans. Analysis of data from digital twins helps identify patients at risk of developing complications or chronic conditions. By analysing patterns in patient data, these systems can predict disease progression and recommend preventive interventions, enabling private practices to shift from reactive to proactive care models, not just for individuals but for large populations. Technologies such as AI and machine learning excel at being able to crunch huge amounts of data far faster than teams of humans, but combined with the expert insight of experienced medical professionals and leaders can have a highly targeted impact.
The future of private and public health
The future of technology in healthcare will be shaped by the rapid adoption of AI, remote monitoring, AR/VR, blockchain, and personalised medicine. These innovations will empower private doctors to improve diagnostic accuracy, tailor treatments to individual patients, automate workflows, enhance patient engagement, and secure health data. As integration continues, private practices will deliver safer, more efficient, and patient-centred care, with connected devices and virtual services expanding access and operational reach. Robust regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and patient consent frameworks will remain central as these advanced digital solutions mature.
