How the Skills Shortage is Threatening Telehealth Progress and What to do About it.

Telemedicine and the broader services of telehealth have exploded in the UAE in recent years. The UAE telemedicine market is forecast to reach over US$536.5 million by 2025, according to recent data revealed by global Medical Directory Omnia Health.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the need for non-contact healthcare has increased dramatically, and there are significant benefits of telemedicine for both patients and healthcare providers.

Convenience, reduced risk of infections, increased speed, and treatment efficiency from telehealth devices all contribute to better treatment and improved patient care.

But what about the benefits for the telehealth providers? This new way of delivering medical care is revolutionising the sector; however, a skills shortage is threatening progress.

Let me explain more about the value of telehealth for medical providers, how the current lack of skills prevents more companies from benefitting, and what businesses can do to solve the talent problem.

The Benefits of Investing in Telehealth for Medical Providers

According to recent data, around half of all UAE pharmaceutical, medical device and life science organisations have already started branching out into telehealth using various IoT (Internet of Things) based solutions.

Examples of IoT used successfully in telehealth include:

• ECG monitors
• Clothing with embedded sensing devices
• Pulse oximeters
• Glucose monitors
• Blood pressure monitors

Using these cutting edge devices aids and improves the delivery of care, and as a pharma, medical device or life science organisation, developing strategies to take your business forward should be at the forefront of your mind.

The following are just some of the benefits we see companies benefitting from telehealth.

Better management of resources – Businesses must manage their resources effectively, and telehealth can help organisations in this way. Companies can reduce costs and streamline when using telehealth equipment as these devices increase efficiency and free up time and space in schedules.

Improves communication – Data can be transferred instantaneously with telehealth devices, allowing more accurate and up-to-date communication of vital data.

Regulatory compliance – The pharmaceutical, medical device and life science sectors are some of the most regulated globally, and companies must operate correctly under stringent guidelines. IoT telehealth devices allow better protection of patient data and monitoring of the delivery of medicines and equipment.

Despite these revolutionary advances in the sector, companies are being held back by a critical skills shortage – let me explain further.

The Future of Telehealth in the UAE

As a world leader in many scientific fields, the UAE is at the forefront of adopting telehealth as a way of delivering healthcare.

The UAE government has supported the establishment of an infrastructure to support telemedicine applications. Since the introduction of the ‘Doctor for Every Citizen’ service in Dec 2019, the UAE government has increased investment in working with telehealth providers to improve care. The Doctor for Every Citizen is a telehealth app-based aid that allows any UAE citizen to access consultations 24/7.

You can read more about the government support for the telehealth sector on their site by clicking here.

The Challenge of Locating Telehealth Specialists

The skills shortage in the telehealth sector comes from the fact that the industry is expanding faster than there are skilled experts to grow with the advancements.

New research by Gulf Telehealth provider vHealth found that usage of Telehealth apps increased by 500% between March – September 2020, mainly attributed to the pandemic but representative of the rapid expansion of the sector.

In any industry that expands so quickly, skills shortages are always a real threat. Healthcare systems worldwide are already suffering from skills gaps resulting from increased demand for medical care. The need for experts to work in and develop the field of Telehealth is a new addition to the global skills problem.

Companies are struggling to find the right people for those roles as they require individuals with in-depth knowledge who can put together complex proposals. The reality is that there is a distinct shortage of experts in this area.

So, what can companies do to find the telehealth professionals they need?

How to Attract Telehealth Specialists for Your Business

In our experience, companies struggling to attract and onboard individuals with in-demand telehealth and telemedicine skills will benefit from working with an expert recruitment company.

At Kinetic, we help businesses find the telehealth specialists they need in an increasingly challenging arena.

With only a limited number of experts in this field, organisations often struggle to know what kind of talent they are looking for and where to find it. As Kinetic is a global talent supplier to the UAE, we have worldwide access to candidates with world-beating telehealth skills who will develop and strengthen your business.

The pharmaceutical, medical device and life science sectors are all advancing towards increased telehealth services. Those who fail to attract the right talent to develop their business in this way risk being left behind.

Do you need telehealth talent to develop your business’s digital care approach?

I can help – get in touch with me to discuss the future of your telehealth strategy either by connecting here or you can call me on +971 (0)4 442 0921.

Thanks,

Mark

About Kinetic:

Kinetic are the market-leading recruitment solutions provider for the MEA Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Industry. Established in 2012, we are a dedicated and niche provider of effective recruitment and HR solutions led by industry experts with over 50 years combined experience and are driven by innovative, established, and proven research.