New interdisciplinary career era in healthcare

Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digitalization are fundamentally changing not only healthcare services but also health professions. Stating that a new interdisciplinary career era awaits students graduating in the field of health, Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said, "A new interdisciplinary career era has begun, centered on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digitalization. Brand new areas of specialization are emerging, replacing or transforming traditional health roles."

Prof. Ertekin stated that healthcare professionals who add artificial intelligence literacy to their diplomas will be the most sought-after names in the future. "While technology provides great convenience in diagnosis and data analysis, the relationship of trust, psychological support, and the human touch in treatment will always remain the responsibility of healthcare professionals. Machine and human are not alternatives to each other; they are two complementary elements," he said.
 

Acting Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin evaluated the future of healthcare professionals.

"A new career era has begun"

Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that a new interdisciplinary career era awaits students graduating in the field of health. "A new interdisciplinary career era has begun, centered on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digitalization. Brand new areas of specialization are emerging, replacing or transforming traditional health roles," he said.

Prof. Ertekin listed the new professions and areas of expertise that are likely to become most popular in the coming years as follows:

“Digital health and artificial intelligence specializations; As technology integrates into hospitals, the need for healthcare personnel with software and data analytics knowledge is rapidly increasing. In this context; Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Health Informatics and Data Analyst, Remote Health (Tele-Health) Coordinator.

Advanced genetics and personalized medicine; With the end of the one-size-fits-all treatment era, personalized medicine applications are gaining ground. Genetic Counselor, Personalized Medicine (Pharmacogenomics) Specialist, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research.

Robotic technologies and surgery; The autonomization of devices in hospitals brings new operational and technical roles. Robotic Surgery and Surgical Assistant and Biomechanics and Prosthesis Technician.

Healthy aging and Longevity consulting also attract attention

Aging population and quality of life focused areas; The aging population worldwide has significantly increased demand for areas that will improve quality of life beyond direct clinical care. Healthy Aging (Longevity) Consultant, Occupational Therapist, and Digital Rehabilitation Consultant.” 

Prof. Ertekin, pointing out that the sustainability of healthcare systems and their resilience to global crises also give rise to new managerial roles, said, “Green Hospital / Health Sustainability Manager, Epidemiology and Health Security Specialist. If you are studying in the field of health or are a recent graduate, adding data analysis, basic artificial intelligence literacy, and digital health technology management to your diploma will make you one of the most sought-after professionals in the sector in the coming years.”

Üsküdar University brings digital health education into the curriculum

Prof. Ertekin stated that Üsküdar University, with its thematic structure especially in behavioral sciences and health, is rapidly integrating digital transformation into its education system, and said the following:

"At our university, digital health monitoring, clinical decision support systems, and artificial intelligence applications are not only taught theoretically; students learn them in a practical way. In our Faculty of Medicine, courses on 'Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Innovation in Health' are offered. Parallel to the digitalization of healthcare systems, students' clinical skills are blended with a digital vision within the Faculty of Health Sciences. With an academically focused approach, students are trained on remote patient monitoring technologies, tele-health protocols, and the role of artificial intelligence in patient care processes. We keep students up-to-date by bringing them together with experts on AI-supported healthcare services and innovative approaches through sectoral events and symposiums such as 'Strengthening Nursing in the Digital Health System'."

Students don't just learn theory

Prof. Ertekin stated that significant investment is also being made in the field of health informatics in postgraduate education. "A Health Informatics Master's Program is offered for graduates of Health Management, Nursing, or Engineering to specialize in these areas. Clinical Information Systems and Hospital Information Management Systems are taught. Data and Signal Processing explain how data collected from wearable medical devices, web, and mobile-based applications contribute to clinical decision-making and treatment processes," he said.
Emphasizing that NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi's infrastructure provides a significant advantage for students, Prof. Ertekin said, "Our students don't just learn theory. They have the opportunity to experience digital health applications in the field by directly using brain mapping systems, neuromodulation applications, and deep learning-based laboratory software." 

"Technology will not eliminate empathy"

Prof. Ertekin, stating that concerns about artificial intelligence eliminating the human factor in healthcare are not true, said, "Artificial intelligence and digital systems should not be used to turn humans into data points; they should be used to strengthen compassion, empathy, and personalized healthcare services. While technology provides great convenience in diagnosis and data analysis, the relationship of trust, psychological support, and the human touch in treatment will always remain the responsibility of healthcare professionals. Machine and human are not alternatives to each other; they are two complementary elements. Sustainable success in health is only possible if this balance is established." he said.

"Artificial intelligence will not leave nurses jobless"

Evaluating the discussions about artificial intelligence leaving healthcare workers jobless, Prof. Erif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that, on the contrary, healthcare workers will move towards more qualified areas, saying, "Artificial intelligence will not displace people from their jobs; it will change the way they work. By automating routine tasks, it will allow healthcare professionals to devote more time to clinical decision-making, personalized treatment, and patient communication." he said.

Regarding the future of the nursing profession, Prof. Ertekin said, "Nursing will never disappear. On the contrary, nurses will transform into professionals who interpret data, manage remote patient monitoring, use early warning systems, and provide digital coordination."
Prof. Ertekin stated that artificial intelligence can identify risks of sepsis, sudden cardiac arrest, and falls hours in advance; and significantly reduce error rates in medication administration with barcode and camera systems.

Wearable technologies applied in courses

Prof. Ertekin stated that many technologies, from smartwatches to glucose sensors, are now part of health education, and said:

"Our students don't just learn to use devices; they also practically see how to analyze data from sensors, patient tracking, data security, and the legal aspects of remote healthcare services."

Prof. Ertekin also stated that Health Management students receive education on big data, health information systems, AI-supported process management, and health policies. 

Transformation in every field from physiotherapy to audiology

Prof. Ertekin emphasized that artificial intelligence will not be limited to medicine and nursing, and continued as follows:

"In physiotherapy, AI-supported movement analyses, robotic rehabilitation systems, and telerehabilitation applications are becoming widespread. In audiology, smart hearing aids analyze the environment to optimize sound. In speech and language therapy, AI systems that perform voice analysis provide significant support to therapists in many areas, from stuttering to aphasia."

Prof. Ertekin stated that gamified artificial intelligence applications for speech disorders in children also accelerate educational processes.

Training with virtual patients before real ones

Prof. Ertekin, explaining that students at Üsküdar University receive training in AI-supported simulation laboratories, concluded his words as follows:

"Our students work on AI-supported virtual patient scenarios in digital twin laboratories before encountering real patients. They learn by experiencing how clinical decision support systems work. In the final stage of their education, they transform theory into practice through internships in hospitals with strong digital infrastructure. We are preparing the healthcare professionals of the future not only for today's but also for tomorrow's healthcare system."