Beyond illness: the future of healthcare technology
How can advances being made in health and wellbeing influence the future of work?


The next step from bionic limbs is neurological implants.
Once again, this is a technology that has appeared often in sci-fi media, giving humans advanced analytical capabilities, enabling them to carry out actions more precisely, allowing them to solve problems more quickly, and enhancing reflexes.
In reality, this is a field that is much more firmly in the research and theory stage than bionics, 3D printing or wearbles. But that is not to say there is nothing in production.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a technology used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, albeit rarely and only in cases where traditional medications are not working.
However, further research is also being carried out on patients with severe depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or who suffer from chronic pain.
"It's not well appreciated, but over half the world's population suffers from some kind of cognitive, emotional, sensory or motor condition," said Herr.
"Because of poor technology, too often conditions result in disability and a poorer quality of life," he added, claiming, as with the physically disabled, those suffering from these conditions should have the right to be free of such illnesses.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
While the technology is immature, further research could result in life changing results for people with debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders. As with bionic prostheses, neurological implants could help these patients successfully integrate back into society and, ultimately, into the workplace.

Jane McCallion is Managing Editor of ITPro and ChannelPro, specializing in data centers, enterprise IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Before becoming Managing Editor, she held the role of Deputy Editor and, prior to that, Features Editor, managing a pool of freelance and internal writers, while continuing to specialize in enterprise IT infrastructure, and business strategy.
Prior to joining ITPro, Jane was a freelance business journalist writing as both Jane McCallion and Jane Bordenave for titles such as European CEO, World Finance, and Business Excellence Magazine.
-
M&S suspends online sales as 'cyber incident' continues
News Marks & Spencer (M&S) has informed customers that all online and app sales have been suspended as the high street retailer battles a ‘cyber incident’.
By Ross Kelly
-
Manners cost nothing, unless you’re using ChatGPT
Opinion Polite users are costing OpenAI millions of dollars each year – but Ps and Qs are a small dent in what ChatGPT could cost the planet
By Ross Kelly
-
Connected Cloth: Your new digital epidermis
In-depth eTextiles, smart fabrics and connected clothing could revolutionise wearable tech
By David Howell
-
TikTok to open first European data centre in Ireland
News The move could signify a desire to shift its operations away from the US as well as secure its position in the European market
By Sabina Weston
-
MPs in a muddle over GDPR and storing voters' personal data
News Labour MP Chris Bryant says his staff were told to delete constituents' data
By Bobby Hellard
-
Trump resort will not be charged for breaching data laws
News Presidential hopeful's Scottish golf course failed to register under the Data Protection Act for four years
By Adam Shepherd
-
Pavlok electric shock wristband could be security risk
News The wristband that supposedly stops over-spending could be hacked according to Kaspersky Lab
By Clare Hopping
-
Banks urged to share data but warned over security
News Experts voice concern over security of open API recommendations
By Rene Millman
-
EU centralises European open data through one portal
News Open Data Portal will enable public sector bodies to share information
By Rene Millman
-
Experts question sheer scale of data storage required by Snooper's Charter
News Who will foot bill for physical infrastructure to house UK's browsing histories?
By Jane McCallion