By King Jamalamadaka
Healthcare has been an increasingly demanding sector with growing concerns about sustainability due to the increasing (and aging) population worldwide, the emergence of new and chronic diseases, the shortage of skilled labor , the increasing complexity of existing and vitally life-threatening diseases, raising regulatory and quality standards. Providing affordable and accessible healthcare in such challenging times has put enormous pressure on the healthcare infrastructure and workforce, forcing them to transform from volume-based to value-based systems.
So how do we facilitate this transformation? Research from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement shows that data and technology, i.e. digitization, play a vital role in transforming healthcare into a values-based system that drives meaningful results.
Insights from such research have played a key role in providing the much-needed impetus for “digitization” in healthcare. The Covid pandemic in India has accelerated this adoption. So what does this digitization entail?
The digitization of healthcare helps with the management of the entire care process, from diagnosis to aftercare, through the use of advanced digital technologies. This wave of digitization has simplified and improved “access to information” for patients, leaving them in control of their situation, knowing precisely their condition and the next steps in their treatment. Driven by the growing awareness of medical procedures, patient participation is gradually transforming from ‘passive’ to ‘active’. Initiatives like value-based care are creating opportunities for more digitized solutions that help clinicians make informed decisions while facilitating optimal use of resources. Providers now see patients as smart consumers, and technologists are innovating too. this wave of digital innovation it has empowered the entire ecosystem, from physicians and caregivers to hospitals and, vitally, patients as they are able to better understand their continuum of care journey.
Through digital healthcare technologies, services and procedures previously provided only in acute care hospitals are now delivered in outpatient, community, virtual, and home settings. Doctors and diagnostic services are now just a click away, thanks to the ease of getting digital consultations, results and prescriptions directly on smartphones. In addition to patient care, there has been a push to streamline operations from automation to electronic health records (EHR) to encourage the use of telemedicine. Driven by value-based changes in reimbursement, cost optimization, convenience, and advances in technology and procedural techniques, this trend is expected to accelerate in the future.
Several factors have aided this digitization drive.
- Regulatory support through government interventions and initiations (eg, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Aayushman Bharat), access to technology, and digital readiness of the masses continually strengthen the health technology infrastructure in the country.
- Cloud computing has allowed healthcare settings to store and access data remotely and enable virtual access, a boon in a vast country like India with an already expanded healthcare infrastructure. The resulting cost benefits are an added bonus.
- The significant amount of effort and budget invested by the healthcare industry to have a consistent and standardized information structure and data sharing framework have supported digital adoption.
- The use of innovative deep learning technologies such as Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning it has further catalyzed the digitization journey. AI-powered systems can analyze large volumes of data, such as medical records and diagnostic images, to find trends and deliver better results. data-driven therapy recommendations Artificial intelligence can also be used to automate routine operations, freeing up healthcare workers to focus on delivering better value.
So what does the future hold for healthcare in India?
Health care is already one of the largest sectors of the Indian economy, both in terms of revenue and employment. According to estimates by the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), healthcare can generate more than 500,000 new jobs a year.
Driven by rising income, better awareness, access to quality and affordable insurance and services, the healthcare market in India is expected to reach greater heights in the near future. The burgeoning digital healthcare technology sector and resulting innovations have the potential to make India a global hub for healthcare innovation and a hub of medical tourism.
Looking forward, the focus of healthcare should rapidly shift to providing personalized healthcare by delivering sustainable healthcare solutions that improve outcomes across the overall patient continuum. To achieve these results, a key focus for healthcare providers would be to increase their organization’s digital literacy to create a technology-enabled workforce that is both competitive and productive.
The world of healthcare is changing and India is adapting fast. The best is yet to come.
Raja Jamalamadaka, Managing Director, Roche Information Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by ETHealthworld. ETHealthworld.com will not be liable for any damages caused to any person/organization directly or indirectly)
