Conventional medical treatments are based on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. While there are several leading drugs, studies report that only 30% to 50% of patients benefit from receiving the medication, thus making conventional treatment inefficient. The advanced use of technology and genetic insights has paved the way for precision medicine as a revolutionary approach that tailors treatment per the individual patient’s needs. Instead of applying a broader use of a treatment, precision medicine enables physicians to customize treatments and therapies that are more likely to work for a patient.

Conventional care restricts physicians to use a trial-and-error method on most patients. When the patient outcome is ineffective with the given treatment, physicians switch to a different type of treatment. This method is often time-wasting, inaccurate and inefficient. Precision medicine’s pivotal role is to use genetic biomarkers and patient data to streamline clinical decision-making to ensure the patient gets personalized treatment and maximum benefits.

How Precision Medicine Empowers Physicians-

• Using genetic markers and advanced technology enables physicians to detect diseases at earlier stages and with better accuracy. Early detection leads to more intervention that leads to the prevention of diseases.
• Physicians can select a treatment that is most likely to work based on the patient’s genetic markers and biomarkers. Targeted therapies are cost, time and resource-efficient.
• Physicians can identify patients who respond well to certain medications with precision medicine. It also helps to adjust medications to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. 
• Treatment plans designed to meet patients’ unique needs attract more engagement. 

Application of Precision Medicine

The concept of precision medicine particularly shines in specific scenarios such as oncology, preventive medicine, genetic disorders, pharmacogenomics and complex multifactorial conditions.

Oncology: Specific genetic mutations or biomarkers are ascertained that help design targeted therapies more effective than traditional chemotherapy.

Preventive medicine: Identification of genetic predisposition allows physicians offer customized prevention strategies, such as lifestyle modifications for specific medical conditions.

Genetic Disorders: Precision medicine enables physicians to quickly determine the genetic changes that cause a genetic disease. Early identification makes it possible to start the effective treatment quickly to avoid irreversible damage. 

Pharmacogenomics: People react differently to medicines. Pharmacogenomics enables treatments to be more effective by tailoring medications per the individual’s genetic profile. 

Multifactorial conditions: Some health conditions result from a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and the environment. Broadly-based treatments may only be suitable for some. Precision medicine enables doctors to create personalized treatment plans that work better and have fewer side effects.

Physicians’ Role In Precision Medicine

Physicians are the crucial link between advanced technology and personalized patient care and play a vital role in applying precision medicine for better healthcare.

– Gathering critical data to diagnose and develop personalized treatment plans.

– Counseling, monitoring, adapting, and communicating the treatment plan to the patients.

– Promoting the use of precision medicine in hospitals. 

Challenges for Physicians

While precision medicine is a revolutionary approach, physicians face several challenges. It is essential to overcome these challenges to make the best use of precision medicine in clinical practice.

– data overload

-time constraints 

– cost issues

-limited clinical evidence

-ethical consideration

-potential privacy concerns

-high patient expectations 

-ensuring effective patient education

-acquiring adequate training

-navigating regulatory issues and 

– setting up coordination and communication.

In the changing healthcare landscape, physicians and precision medicine can work together to make people’s lives healthier and happier.