Digitization is keying healthcare’s level up

?“Everybody everywhere is trying to up their digital game.”?

This quote wrapped up the theme of HLTH 2022 — an event that looks at the present and future of healthcare — quite nicely. Despite the $23 billion raised by U.S. and European healthcare tech companies representing a 40% dip from last year’s exceptionally bumper total , the enthusiasm surrounding digitized healthcare technology is palpable.??

What were some of the bigger takeaways we heard about the future of digital healthcare??

?IT Infrastructures Will Get More Integrated and Connected?

The healthcare experience is a well-rounded one with more stakeholders than just patients and providers. We spoke with a couple of healthcare professionals who oversaw healthcare systems that cover large geographic areas. The topic? Continuing to develop and fine-tune solutions that help strengthen existing IT infrastructures and connect different actors in the healthcare ecosystem.?

One discussed their desire to establish a more streamlined system of healthcare assistance or even other community carers in very remote settings sending important information to doctors so they can make real-time suggestions in a more flexible manner. Another mentioned the alterations it made to its software to look at patients’ genomic data and use those findings to help doctors make prescription recommendations and aid overall decision-making.?

Clinicians can’t be with patients 24/7. But with better-connected solutions aided by next-generation tools like AI and machine learning, they should be able to receive information and act accordingly. Some industry leaders are even hoping the integrations extend into the supply chain so mission-critical items can get restocked in a timely manner.??

Decision-makers understand what a drawn-out process these integrations can be. But they also recognize the impact a more integrated IT infrastructure can have on efficiency and effective treatment.?

Non-Traditional Will Expand Their Footprints?

Amazon announcing Amazon Clinic. Best Buy using its resources to enter the healthcare tech and homecare field. These are just a couple of the non-traditional names throwing their hats in to disrupt healthcare and help it realize untapped potential.??

The increasing reliance on telemedicine and non-traditional treatment options like virtual wards are opening the door for these new entrants. So, too, are under-the-radar startups with singular focuses on remote care and telemedicine. Just on estimate, it’s safe to say that a quarter of the booths at the convention were remote and telemedicine providers. Not a surprise considering that telehealth startups raised $5 billion in funding in Q2 of 2021 and overall digital health new entrants raised $29.1 billion in 2021. ?

Right now is an amazing and opportunistic time to enter the healthcare landscape. How far some of these new entrants will go is still a question, but they’re enthusiastic about the chance to try their hands.??

Building Trust With Patients Will Still Matter?

Digital solutions run on accurate, up-to-date patient information. The information collected by these solutions can help create customized, more efficient healthcare resources that help get to the root of a patient’s issues.??

The task then becomes caring for and securing data properly. It’s an issue many digital health professionals must grapple with every day.??

Patient data protection must follow the latest regulatory guidelines. Patients need to trust digital solutions with their confidential information and their personal well-being. Taking every step to protect both is a priority for the organizations we spoke with.??

Equity Will Be a Top-Line Value?

Digitized healthcare does wonders for people who want care on their own terms. But are solutions always calibrated to be as inclusive as they can be? One trend we heard come up repeatedly is the idea of updating algorithms and strategies to treat as wide a swath of patients as possible.??

Social determinants are one element providers are trying to incorporate into diagnosis. That can mean, for example, that a patient who lives in a community or has economic circumstances that makes them more vulnerable to contracting an illness It’s a variable many providers are starting to account for when embracing solutions that can treat entire communities, especially in underserved areas.???

For ambitious, forward-thinking professionals, digitized healthcare is key to tackling the industry’s most pressing issues and sparking positive patient outcomes. We work with clients to develop innovative solutions that make impacts and help the people who need them the most. Connect with us today!?