The end of medicine as we know it - and why your health has a future

The book "The End of Medicine" predicts the end of medicine as we know it due to the deep crisis of medicine. However, digitization will lead to a radical change in healthcare, making it more precise, uniform, safer, and affordable. Physicians will become patient coaches working in interdisciplinary teams, and illnesses such as cancer will be prevented or cured. Health care spending will shift from chronic treatment to prevention and health maintenance, resulting in significant cost savings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 291 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Medicine itself is ailing. We have a limited understanding of diseases, leading to a chronic focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing their underlying causes. Consequently, drugs and other therapies only benefit a small fraction of patients, while our healthcare system continues to pour vast sums of money without delivering significant improvements. This has led renowned physician-researcher Harald Schmidt to predict the imminent end of medicine as we know it.

However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Digitization is poised to revolutionize healthcare, ushering in one of the most significant socioeconomic transformations in human history. Schmidt is a pioneer in systems medicine, a comprehensive reimagining of disease definitions, medical organization, and the utilization of Big Data for healing rather than treatment, prevention rather than cure.

In this book, the author delves into the profound crisis facing medicine, while also outlining a path toward its transformation. Medicine will become more precise, uniform, safer, and surprisingly, more affordable. Artificial intelligence will take over the task of diagnosis, rendering organ-based medical specialists, disciplines, and hospital departments obsolete. Physicians will transition into roles as patient coaches, collaborating with pharmacists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals in interdisciplinary teams. This shift will alleviate their workload and allow for a more focused approach to patient care.

Illnesses, including cancer, will be prevented or cured with remarkable precision. We will witness a significant increase in lifespan, with individuals reaching 100 years and older. Health care spending will shift from chronic disease treatment to prevention and health maintenance, resulting in substantial cost reductions. Health will become a universal right, accessible to all.

However, Schmidt also cautions that those who resist digitization will miss out on these advancements. To fully benefit from the revolution of medicine, individuals must possess a digital twin—a digital representation of their physical and mental health. This digital twin will serve as a valuable tool for personalized healthcare, enabling doctors to make informed decisions and provide tailored treatments.

While some may view this as futurism, it is important to recognize that each of us has the potential to harness the power of digitization and shape the future of healthcare. By embracing technology, we can unlock new possibilities for improved health outcomes, greater longevity, and a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system.

In conclusion, medicine itself is sick, but digitization holds the key to its rejuvenation. By embracing systems medicine, leveraging artificial intelligence, and embracing the digital twin, we can transform healthcare and pave the way for a healthier, happier, and more prosperous future for all. The time for change is now, and the possibilities are endless.

Weight: 531g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030952952
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022