Quantum Computing in Medical & Healthcare Sector

Quantum computing in medical & healthcare sector
Abstract
Quantum computing is an advanced form of computing which has much more capabilities
than the classical computing methods. This is possible because of Qubits that are the
computing units that can hold multiple states at a time. Because of the speed of quantum
computers, they are able to serve up many sectors including healthcare. This research is
proposed to explore the applications of quantum computing in the sector. It proposes
conducting a mixed qualitative research in which the secondary data from literature review
and the primary data from the interviews would be collected and thematically analysed to
identify patterns or themes essential to healthcare quantum computing. The paper presents the
significance, research methodology, and future implications of the research on the healthcare
sector.
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Quantum computing in medical & healthcare sector
Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................1
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Background.............................................................................................................................1
Significance............................................................................................................................1
Aims & Objectives.................................................................................................................2
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................2
Quantum Computing..............................................................................................................2
Healthcare Applications of Quantum Computing..................................................................2
Medical and Biomedical Uses of Quantum Computing.....................................................3
Predictive Health Analytics................................................................................................3
Future Applications of Quantum Computing.........................................................................3
Literature Gaps.......................................................................................................................4
Methodology..............................................................................................................................4
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................4
Research Design.....................................................................................................................4
Data Collection.......................................................................................................................4
Data Analysis..........................................................................................................................5
Ethical Considerations............................................................................................................5
Limitations..............................................................................................................................5
Discussion and implications of research....................................................................................6
Conclusions................................................................................................................................6
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Quantum computing in medical & healthcare sector
Introduction
Background
Quantum computing is a highly advanced digital data processing method that works on the
principles of quantum physics. Quantum mechanics has brought revolutionary advances in
the medical and healthcare sector. Quantum computers contain algorithms that are used for
processing a large amount of digital data. The systems use Qubits as the quantum particles
that store the bits of data in them (Solenov, Brieler, & Jeffrey F. Scherrer, 2018).
Quantum computing is used in healthcare to solve many problems related to data such as
matching of treatments with patients and drug discovery. With the use of the speed at which
quantum computing can analyse data, many things are now possible that were not possible
earlier in the healthcare. These are many advances happening in the field and this research is
set to explore them. The application of quantum computing in healthcare can delivery many
new possibilities and benefits. Thus, this makes an important area of study.
Significance
Computer applications have been used in medical applications for long now. However, with
increasing demands of the sector, older computers do not suffice in their capabilities to help
diagnose and provide medical treatment options to a large number of patients because of their
limited capabilities. Quantum computing serves as technology with a very high computing
capability which has help the medical science make a breakthrough innovation. Quantum
computing today has several important applications in medical and healthcare sector.
Quantum radiations can be used for destroying the cancer cells. It can provided improved
diagnostics capabilities and through early diagnosis of diseases like cancer, it condition can
be fought against. Quantum computers are also used for protecting medical records through
the use of an unbreakable encryption (Fursman & Zaribafiyan, 2017). There can also be
many other significant areas of applications of quantum computing in health care such as
pattern matching of disease implications on human protein structures with treatment options
and drug discoveries that can be very useful for the field of study.
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Quantum computing in medical & healthcare sector
Aims & Objectives
The aim of this research is to understand the role of IT in the healthcare for which the
application of quantum computing technology in medical sector has been explored. This aim
of the research would be explored by fulfilling the following research objectives:
 Understand the difference between classical and quantum computing capabilities
 Explore the applications of quantum computing in medicine sector
 Understand how quantum computing can bring innovation in the medical sector
 Exploring quantum computing applications and advances in the healthcare sector
 Identify areas of healthcare and medicine that can eb served by quantum computing
Literature Review
Quantum Computing
Classical computers rely on microchips and transistors that are embedded in computer
system. Quantum computing makes use of subatomic particles that can exist in multiple states
at the same time which enables faster operations with less energy utilization. Quantum
computers are capable of processing large and complex data sets with nearly unlimited
variables much more efficiently than the classical computers. Basic units of quantum
computers are Qubits that can be used for performing two calculations at a time because of
their quantum nature (CIR, 2018).
Quantum computing can be three types including annealing, simulations, and universal
computing. Annealing can help solve optimization issues so that best configuration can be
discovered from available combinations of data variables. If classical computers were to be
used to do the calculation to identify most optimum solution, they would take years of
compute but with quantum computes, this can be done within a few hours. Simulations work
beyond the capacities of classical computer systems by offering simulation of complex
phenomenon. It involved modelling through which a chemical simulation can be performed
on subatomic particles (Pariente, 2015).
In medical applications, they are used for a variety of applications such as simulation of
protein folding which could be causes diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This
scientific breakthrough is capable of saving lives of patients through realistic mapping of
protein sequence. The most powerful form of quantum computing is universal computing that
can use even 1M qubits for complex computations and simulations. Shor’s algorithm and
Grover’s algorithm are some of the famous algorithms that are used for factoring and for
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