Medical Devices as an Industry Needs more Healthcare Intervention

The medical device industry is on a big-bang growth spurt. Worldwide yearly revenue is projected to increase by more than 5 percent annually, achieving almost US$800 billion by 2030. This industrial boom will help billions across the globe. Medical equipment is used by people of all ages and income levels, ranging from the newest blood sugar monitoring device versions to high-end MRI machines and surgical robots. 

Apart from that, it has created innovative job options for many—including the practitioners themselves. Yes, you, as a clinician, can be a valuable resource in the medical industry. Stay with us as we walk you through a whole new branch of healthcare careers— ‘the medics in MedTech’ 

Challenges in the Medical Device Industry

The medical device industry faces many issues: regulatory hurdles, technological complexities, cost constraints, and disparities in access to advanced medical technologies across different regions. 

One hidden challenge that often stunts growth unknowingly is the lack of understanding of the key stakeholders—the healthcare professionals and the healthcare firms.

You need to understand your target audience as the ‘best’.

What happens when researchers, PhD holders, and biomedical engineers work on medical devices without involving the healthcare system? You create a technologically flawless gadget, but it does not address the particular requirements of the physician. This results in:

1. Poor User Experience: Medical devices developed without input from physicians may lack intuitive design and user-friendly features tailored to the workflow and preferences of the doctors.

2. Low Patient Outcomes: When medical devices do not align with the clinical needs and treatment protocols followed by physicians, they may not deliver the expected benefits to patients, resulting in compromised healthcare delivery and treatment efficacy.

3. Repetitions: The company upgrades devices frequently, which demands repeated research, design, manufacturing, clinical development, marketing, and feedback.

4. Overexpenditure: Repetition wastes money. The company spends on resources repeatedly, and will eventually break even or incur losses.

5. Lacks Market Trust: Even if a medical device boasts advanced technology and features, its lack of alignment with the needs and preferences of physicians can lead to limited adoption in the market. Launching newer versions too frequently forces healthcare firms to purchase the most recent update, forcing them to migrate to longer-lasting alternatives.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals in the Medical Device Industry

You must be wondering, how can you, as a medic, mitigate these challenges. 

The intersection of medicine and technology opens up numerous opportunities for physicians to make significant contributions to the medical device industry. 

• Doctors may offer priceless insights into the functionality, usability, and design of medical devices by using their clinical expertise. 

• Their direct experience in patient care provides them with a solid understanding of the issues and needs that arise in healthcare settings, giving them foresight about the possible issues that may occur during the clinical procedure.

  
  

• They can help biomedical engineers identify areas of possible drawbacks in the machine, and novel ideas are urgently required.

• They become the real-time feedback mechanism and can help design clinical trials with efficiency. 

• They add credibility to the product. A medical device that is backed by medical sciences theoretically and practically under the name of expert healthcare professionals will be better accepted in the healthcare industry. The company gains the trust and confidence of its key target customers.

Healthcare Professionals in the Medical Device Industry

As a healthcare graduate or postgraduate, you have a multifaceted career option. Gone are the days when healthcare professionals only knew clinical practice. Today, we ace the game of corporate jobs as well. 

Here's a quick overview of the healthcare ‘non-clinical’ jobs available on job boards today.

• Medical Advisor or Subject Matter Expert  (SME)

Doctors play a crucial role as medical advisors or consultants in the medical device industry. 

They work closely with device makers, providing crucial clinical advice and knowledge all the way through the product development lifecycle. Medical advisors make sure that medical devices meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and usability from the very beginning of their conceptualization and design to their testing, regulatory approval, and final release onto the market. 

Sometimes their clinical experience and insights come in handy. They offer crucial input into the conception, operation, and real-world implementation of medical devices, helping to foster the creation of novel remedies for unmet clinical needs.

• Clinical Researcher or Medical Affairs Specialist

Medical professionals can also work as medical affairs specialists or clinical researchers. Doctors conduct clinical trials and research studies to generate evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of medical devices. The practical feedback from the healthcare pros themselves contributes to the validation of medical devices and their suitability for clinical use.

• Role in Post-Market Surveillance 

Healthcare professionals are often trained to design, execute, and monitor the product market. Monitor device performance and patient outcomes to identify potential problems or areas for improvement. Doctors who participate in clinical research and post-market surveillance contribute to the ongoing evaluation and refinement of medical devices, ultimately improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes.

Do you Need Additional Certifications to Switch to the Medical Device Sector?

To excel in these roles within the medical device industry, doctors may benefit from pursuing additional degrees or certifications. 

• A Master's degree or certification in medical device innovation or regulatory affairs can help them gain specialized knowledge and skills in their field. 

• Medical professionals who take courses on subjects like clinical trial management, medical device design, and regulatory requirements will be better equipped to handle the complicated world of medical device development and regulation.

• Those applying for leadership positions in medical device companies might think about earning an MBA or other credentials linked to business. These degrees provide insights into marketing, entrepreneurship, and strategic management—all crucial for fostering innovation and achieving financial success in the cutthroat medical device industry.

Other than that, as a healthcare professional, you cannot be technologically handicapped. Basic technical expertise with computers, effective communication, and collaboration skills are a must for doctors working in the medical device industry. 

Anastomos—A Doorway to The Medical Devices Industry

Anastomos is a full-spectrum, end-to-end online platform designed for healthcare professionals. We provide career guidance to medical practitioners, medical graduates, and aspirants in medicine.  Anastomos can actively assist you with academics, clinical and non-clinical job boards, and career counseling. 

We are not on any other job board. We also try to walk you through possible courses and certifications and help you reach out to medical device industry experts to shape your career better. 

Anastomos is the brainchild of many medical industry stalwarts who have carefully aced practice, entrepreneurship, and technological positions. Their career errors, high-profile positions, and success stories inspire all Anastomos members to succeed. Feel free to reach out to us today.