Challenges of Indian healthcare to adopt the clinical transformation

Adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) is key to improve care by making it cost effective, connecting urban sector and reduce the clinical errors which is one the vital part toward going for the clinical transformation. It is proven and known that without clinical transformation, in other words, without clinical adoption it could be a tough time to sustain their business by having better clinical outcome, patient experience and patient engagement.

Clinical transformation within Indian healthcare institutions entails adopting cutting-edge technologies, reengineering workflows, and embracing a patient-centric approach. While the advantages of clinical transformation are considerable, there are numerous challenges that hospitals in India is encountering in this process which are as follows:

Infrastructure Limitations:

Many hospitals in India, particularly those in rural areas, may lack the essential infrastructure to support advanced clinical systems. Issues such as unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity, and outdated physical facilities pose significant hurdles.

Budget Constraints:

The implementation of expensive clinical transformation technologies can be hindered by limited financial resources. Hospitals face challenges in allocating budgets for new systems, staff training, and the ongoing maintenance of technology.

Availability of Cost-Effective Solutions:

Given the specialised nature of the IT budget, acquiring superior products within the allocated budget, particularly those utilising AI, ML, and Gen AI, poses a challenge. Consequently, the limited budget hampers user adoption, hindering the realisation of the ultimate goal of achieving clinical transformation with improved clinical outcomes.

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Availability of Cutting-Edge Applications:

There are a very few products which could have been made on the following goals and objectives:

• Faster than paper
• Sub-Second Response
• Users are not required any training

Without proper design and development, the utilisation of such applications could prove to be challenging for clinical users and healthcare providers, lacking a clear and user-friendly interface. This is particularly true for clinical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and technicians, making the user experience less intuitive and efficient.

Digital Literacy and Resistance to Change:

Healthcare professionals, especially those from older generations, may exhibit unfamiliarity with or resistance to adopting new technologies. Overcoming this resistance and ensuring comprehensive training for staff are vital for the successful execution of clinical transformation.

Lacking People, Process &Technology Methodology adoption:

The methodology known as "People, Process, and Technology" (PPT) adopts a holistic perspective, emphasising the interconnected nature of three pivotal elements within an organisation. This approach underscores the significance of aligning and collaborating among people, well-defined processes, and suitable technology solutions to achieve successful outcomes. Regardless of the financial investment in acquiring technology, the presence of adept resources capable of embracing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and aligning themselves with the technology is essential. This synergy between people, processes, and technology is the catalyst for realising.

?The People, Process, and Technology methodology is a comprehensive approach that recognises the interconnected nature of these three pillars within an organisation. By strategically aligning people, optimizing processes, and leveraging appropriate technologies, businesses can achieve operational excellence, foster innovation, and adapt to the dynamic demands of the modern business landscape. The PPT methodology provides a roadmap for organisations to navigate the complexities of today's environment and build a foundation for sustainable success.

Embedding the Tech Trend (Emerging Technological Trends in Healthcare)

Cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT) have permeated nearly every facet of the healthcare industry today. To gain a clearer understanding, let's explore some potential applications of these two transformative technologies: (a) AI, encompassing automation, machine learning, and deep learning, and (b) IoT.

a)??Applications of AI

AI, with its unique ability to complement and significantly expand human skills, finds diverse applications in healthcare. Various AI-related technologies include natural language processing, intelligent agents, computer vision, machine learning, expert systems, chatbots, and voice recognition.

One prominent application is in the data management of health records. AI-powered systems, including robots, efficiently collect, store, re-format, and trace data, providing faster and seamless access from anywhere at any time. AI is also employed to handle repetitive tasks, such as analysing laboratory tests, X-rays, CT scans, and data entry. AI-based applications offer medical consultation based on personal medical history and insights gathered through analytics.

AI can support the drug creation process by significantly reducing the costs associated with traditional clinical trials. Precision medicine, another AI application, utilises body scans powered by AI to detect cancer and vascular diseases early, predicting potential health issues based on individuals' genetics.

b) Applications of IoT

In healthcare, IoT focuses on harnessing the power of connected devices and sensors. The exponential growth of connected devices—surpassing the global population in 2008 and expected to reach 50 billion by 2020—reflects the IoT revolution. This transformation involves replacing disconnected objects with intelligent, context-aware ones through the integration of sensors.?

IoT facilitates valuable insights derived from data obtained from devices such as foetal monitors, electrocardiograms, temperature monitors, or blood glucose level trackers. Smart IoT devices can remotely provide essential health information, reducing the need for direct patient-physician interaction. In an IoT-driven world, distributed devices gather, analyse, and communicate real-time medical information to open, private, or hybrid clouds, allowing the collection, storage, and analysis of big data streams in various new forms, triggering context-dependent alarms.

IoT plays a vital role in healthcare surveillance, aiding in the early detection of health problems and integrating data collected from tests instantly. This information is relayed in real-time to doctors and staff, enhancing the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. The convergence of AI and IoT is reshaping the healthcare landscape, promising improved diagnostics, personalised treatment plans, and a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.

Lacking to Understanding the Barriers to Clinician Engagement

Clinicians encounter a myriad of challenges beyond patient care, including the burden of student debt, administrative demands such as regulatory measures, and unfulfilled promises of improvement from Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). While clinicians traditionally operate in a professional culture where they are the primary decision-makers at the point of care, the shift towards data-driven decision-making and improvement initiatives is reshaping this paradigm. Health systems need a strategic approach to engage clinicians in improvement initiatives, inviting them to be active partners rather than adding to their existing burdens.

Clinician engagement is not a technical issue; it's an adaptive challenge. Merely introducing more technology does not offer a solution. Instead, a profound understanding of clinician challenges is essential for developing solutions that cater to their needs, providing clinician-centric data for improvement endeavours, and establishing partnerships with involved clinicians.

An optimal environment for improvement work entails aligning and involving clinicians through shared ownership and accountability across the organisation. Leaders in improvement cultivate this partnership with a foundation of trust and transparency.

Interoperability Issues:

Existing health information systems may lack interoperability, making the seamless integration of new technologies a challenge. This can lead to data silos, hindering efficient information exchange between different departments and healthcare providers.

Data Security and Privacy Concerns:

The digitisation of patient records and adoption of electronic health systems raise significant concerns about data security and patient privacy. Hospitals need robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive patient information.

Regulatory Compliance:

Meeting regulatory requirements and adhering to standards for clinical systems is a complex challenge. Hospitals must navigate intricate regulatory landscapes and ensure that their clinical transformation initiatives comply with national and international healthcare standards.

Vendor Selection and Integration:

Selecting the right technology vendors and ensuring the seamless integration of diverse clinical systems can be intricate. Failure to address incompatibility issues between different systems during the planning phase may arise.

Change Management:

The implementation of clinical transformation involves substantial organisational change. Hospitals must effectively manage this change to ensure that staff members, from clinicians to administrative staff, adapt smoothly to new processes and technologies.?

Limited Skilled Workforce:

Shortages of skilled professionals, including IT specialists and data analysts, can pose challenges for the successful implementation and maintenance of advanced clinical systems.

Patient Education and Engagement:

Engaging and educating patients about the benefits of clinical transformation can be challenging. Patients need to comprehend how to use new technologies for tasks such as appointment scheduling, telemedicine, and accessing health information.

Scalability and Sustainability:

Ensuring that clinical transformation initiatives are scalable to accommodate future growth and sustainable in the long term is a critical challenge. Hospitals need to plan for evolving technologies and changing healthcare needs.

Effectively addressing these challenges necessitates a strategic and collaborative approach involving hospital leadership, technology vendors, regulatory bodies, and healthcare professionals. Successful clinical transformation requires meticulous planning, effective change management, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery through technology.