Tech Career Decoded #10: Revolutionising Healthcare: how health tech is transforming lives and careers

Let's talk about health tech. We've all seen the headlines about AI diagnosing diseases with superhuman speed and accuracy. When it comes to breast cancer screenings, for example, AI is now reviewing mammograms 30 times faster than radiologists, with near-perfect results. And this is just one example of how technology is revolutionising healthcare.  

In this edition of Tech Career Decoded, we'll explore how these innovations in healthcare are positively impacting our lives and share real-life stories of tech professionals innovating in the health tech space. We’ll also take a look at the most in-demand health tech roles and Michael Page experts weigh in on the skills needed to succeed in this industry.  

What is Health Tech?

You know the fitness tracker you wear or the meditation app you use to unwind after a long day?  Those are both examples of health tech. But it's much, much bigger. It encompasses everything from those handy tools we use daily to cutting-edge AI and robotics in surgery. Basically, health tech uses technology to improve every aspect of healthcare, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery. 

And the global digital health market is booming. It was already estimated at a staggering $240.9 billion in 2023, and experts predict it'll grow over 20% each year for the next six years. So, what's fueling this impressive growth? 

One reason is that there's a growing shortage of healthcare providers, while the number of people needing care is rising. This, coupled with rising medical costs, makes digital health services like telehealth a more affordable option. And with better internet access and more people owning smartphones, telehealth is becoming a realistic option for many. 

🩺 Examples of health tech innovations transforming healthcare

Improved technology, affordability, and a changing healthcare landscape are fuelling the rapid growth of health tech globally. For instance, Level Ex uses engaging video games to enhance medical education, allowing doctors and students to practise procedures in simulated environments. RapidAI leverages AI-powered software to analyse medical scans quickly, improving the accuracy and speed of diagnoses. Caraway offers a digital care platform for Gen Z, providing 24/7 mental, physical, and reproductive healthcare through a mobile app. These innovations illustrate how health tech is improving patient care and attracting tech talent dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the industry. 

By democratising healthcare access and improving training and diagnosis, these health tech companies are not only improving patient care, but also attracting a growing wave of tech talent seeking to make a meaningful difference in this industry.  

But it's not just companies driving this transformation; it's also the individuals behind the scenes.  

Real stories of tech professionals innovating in health tech 

Fueled by this vision of a more accessible and effective healthcare system, let's switch our attention now to some inspiring people who are tackling healthcare's toughest challenges head-on. 

Jack Parker (AIATELLA)  

Jack Parker is the Co-founder and CEO of AIATELLA, a cloud-based software startup that  automatically analyses medical imaging and accurately detects and diagnoses cardiovascular disease. Working in hospitals as a Biomedical Sciences student, Jack saw a major problem: medical imaging was underutilised due to workforce shortages and overworked staff. And so the idea for AIATELLA was born.  

We asked Jack what impact tech professionals can have on the healthcare industry, here’s what he had to say: 

“To quote one of our brilliant tech team members: ‘There's nothing quite like writing code that could contribute to saving somebody's life.’ You don't 'work' in tech when you're in healthcare, you make a difference. At AIATELLA we want to create a world where everybody can prevent their heart attack or stroke, not just the privileged few!" 

Ariadna Masó (SANNO)  

Ariadna Masó is the Founder of SANNO, a tech platform for patient tracking and data insights in treatment and research. Ariadna’s educational background is in Business Management and Finance, but she later studied Nutritional Science after being diagnosed with colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. That’s why she created SANNO, to focus on gut, metabolic, and women’s health. Here’s Adriadna’s advice for tech professionals considering a career move to health tech:

“Now is the time to join the health tech revolution so I encourage anyone to go for it! If you are new in the space, I suggest joining a health tech company for a summer internship or consulting assignment to learn the dynamics of the industry, business model, and go to market strategy. The most impactful health tech innovations require a broad mix of profiles including product, patient insights and UX as well as clinicians and researchers.”  

Bernadette Frech (Instahelp)  

Bernadette Frech is CEO of Instahelp, a leading digital mental health startup in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company offers convenient online access to mental health support with over 300 psychologists and a variety of online mental health programs, for both individual consumers and company employees. Here’s Bernadette’s vision for Instahelp and what she finds most exciting about working in health tech:   

“My vision is to improve mental health via easy access to professional mental healthcare. As you can’t see mental health, I want to give it a voice! Mental health should not be a taboo anymore but an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. When investing time and love in the healthcare industry you can change the quality of life of people for the better. As the healthcare sector is of utmost importance, it needs more low-threshold, timely, flexible and fast, inclusive, and personal solutions!” 

The most in-demand health tech roles 

The rapid development of healthcare technologies is creating a growing demand for skilled individuals with a tech background. Here are just a few of the most in-demand health tech roles for tech professionals: 

📊 Data scientists and analysts 

The healthcare industry is swimming in data, and experts are needed to analyse it effectively. Data scientists and analysts play a crucial role in extracting insights from patient records, medical research, and wearable device data. These insights are then used to improve patient care, develop new treatments, and optimise healthcare delivery.  

👩💻 AI and machine learning specialists  

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are arguably the two most important technologies in digital healthcare. Tech professionals with expertise in these fields are highly sought-after to develop AI-powered applications for tasks like medical diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalised treatment plans.  

👾 Cybersecurity experts  

Protecting sensitive patient data is paramount in the digital age. Cybersecurity professionals are needed to safeguard digital healthcare systems from cyberattacks and ensure that confidential patient information remains secure. 

📲 UI/UX designers  

Creating user-friendly interfaces for both patients and healthcare providers is crucial for the successful adoption of health tech solutions. Good UX/UI design plays an important role in making sure that healthcare professionals can access and interpret patient data quickly and accurately, and also helps patients to understand their health information and easily communicate with their healthcare providers. That's why it's no surprise that UI/UX designers with an understanding of the healthcare landscape are in high demand.  

This is just a glimpse into the exciting world of health tech for tech professionals. If you're looking for a career that combines your technical expertise with a passion for improving healthcare, saving people's lives, and having a positive impact on society, then a career in health tech could be the perfect fit!  

We asked Michael Page experts across the globe to share their insights on how the health tech industry is growing in their region, the most valuable skills in this critical field, and how tech professionals with non-medical backgrounds can contribute to innovation in healthcare. Here’s what they had to say: 

“Colombia's healthtech sector is booming, with over 300 companies now operating and creating more than 3,000 jobs. This growth is fueled by several key factors: 1- Investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of healthtech to revolutionise healthcare access and solve pressing health issues in Colombia. This has led to a significant rise in investment in healthtech startups. 2- The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of healthtech solutions, as people look for more convenient and secure ways to access healthcare. 3 - The Colombian government is actively supporting the healthtech sector's development. Initiatives like creating accelerator and incubator programs and financing research and development are fostering a thriving ecosystem for healthtech innovation.” 

Daniel Camacho Mejia , Director at Michael Page Colombia

 “You don't need a medical degree to make a difference in healthcare innovation! Tech professionals with non-medical backgrounds can contribute to areas like wearables, patient support, connecting with healthcare providers, and social media marketing. The key is having empathy for patients. Generative AI can help create content for healthcare providers and clinical trials, and data analytics is a game-changer for treating critical diseases. Also, analytics and automation frameworks like Pharma 4.0 are revolutionising efficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing.” 

Nupur Mehta , Director at Michael Page India 

“I believe there are some soft skills related to tech professionals' backgrounds that can ease their transof human skill sets. Having experience in different industries allows you to see things from various angles, understand different demands and goals, which can be crucial for integrating into the healthcare industry with the right mindset. On the other hand, a background in leading teams or focusing on analytical tasks can be a significant advantage, particularly in preventive or mid-term healthcare roles.”  

Gonçalo Castelbranco – Associate Manager at Michael Page Portugal

Are you considering a career in health tech? What aspect of healthcare would you love to improve with tech?  

We love hearing from our tech-savvy community, so please drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation. 

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Thanks for reading!  

The Michael Page Technology team