In 2020, the world was severely impacted by the Covid-19 virus. With governments issuing lockdown orders to curb the spread of the virus, people faced a lot of difficulty in getting medical attention for existing issues and getting help. But thanks to technology, hospitals and clinics the world over have been able to provide much needed medical help to their patients. The industry is moving towards telemedicine, AI-powered medical devices, and blockchain e-health records to provide better service for patients.
The goal of developing and using this technology is to improve patient outcomes, reduce human error, streamline physicians’ work, optimize costs using various web and mobile experiences. According to the Econsultancy 2018 digital trends survey conducted by Adobe, only seven percent of healthcare and pharmaceutical companies said they had gone digital, compared to 15 percent of companies in other industries. But despite the slow adoption of digital transformation technology, the US healthcare industry is projected to grow to $5.7 trillion. To implement new solutions, companies must first understand the landscape of today’s healthcare industry. Here are some of the digital transformation trends to look out for:
On-demand healthcare
With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing all of us to stay home and clear of danger, patients have started using technology to find immediate medical solutions, research doctors, research medical facilities and hospitals, and schedule appointments without having to step outside. On-demand healthcare also allows doctors to freelance with healthcare companies, giving them the opportunity to serve a wide range of patients without having a long term commitment to a hospital. For example, Nomad health contracts doctors and assign patients to specific doctors based on their circumstances, experience, and schedule. These doctors become on-demand healthcare experts to serve clients based on their specific needs. The benefits that on-demand healthcare offers are convenience, reduced spending on hospitalization charges, less paperwork, efficient interactions with patients, and supplemental work for doctors.
Wearable medical devices
Medical devices that can be worn are currently becoming the rage in the medical industry. Instead of making the annual trip for a general appointment with the doctor, people can use these devices to track the user’s current physical state. With the advent of 5G, there will be more interconnectivity between the devices. Using these internet-connected (IoT) devices companies can focus more on preventive care and maintenance and quicker access to the user’s health. According to a recent survey, the market for wearable medical devices will grow to more than $27 million annually. Some of the common wearable devices are heart rate sensors, exercise monitors, sweat meters – for diabetic patients, and oximeters – that monitor blood oxygen levels. A recent study found that healthcare apps and devices could help save the US $7 billion per year through preventive care. The benefits that healthcare companies receive from these products are personalized healthcare experience, targeted insurance pricing, provides insurance incentives, encourages a healthier lifestyle, and provides gamification opportunities.
Big data insights
Big data enables you to compile massive amounts of data from various sources such as clinical, administration, financial, and operational data to understand what is working, what’s not, and what could possibly better the company’s operations. With many healthcare companies using mobile and web applications, wearable devices, etc. there is an insane amount of data to be studied. With a robust data pipeline in place and a solid data strategy, the benefits that big data provides are powerful. Using big data insights allows for increased operational efficiency, preventative maintenance for medical equipment, more accurate staffing, better customer service, better patient outcomes, more efficient spending of resources, reduced costs, and enhanced access to critical information.
In conclusion, the future of digital transformation in the healthcare industry is bright. Technology gives healthcare companies the opportunity to better serve their clients by providing meaningful solutions that help patients get the help they need.
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