The healthcare industry has changed tremendously in recent years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic as a transformation catalyst. Powered by innovation and technological advancements, digital health has been revealed in the past few years, making virtual clinical consultations and wearable devices a reality rather than just a future vision. Implementation and adoption of changes in public health services have since accelerated with digital health solutions such as telemedicine and mobile health apps improving accessibility and convenience for all. According to Deloitte, more than 90,000 new digital health applications (apps) were added to app stores in 2020—an average of more than 250 new apps every day.
What is digital health and how is it transforming the healthcare sector? Digital health is often referred to as eHealth (electronic health) or mHealth (mobile health), which encompasses a broad spectrum of technologies designed to enhance and facilitate the provision of healthcare to patients.
So why is digital health booming?
The booming growth of digital health can be attributed to its ability to revolutionise the way healthcare services are delivered. As digital technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, digital health provides numerous advantages, including:
- Increased efficiency and accessibility of medical care
- Easy access to medical information and records
- Improved communication with healthcare providers
- Availability of remote care options
- Increased patient autonomy in gathering information on digital therapeutics
- Better screening and diagnostics leading to improved patient outcomes
- Reduced healthcare costs through automation
- Immediate and round-the-clock availability, resulting in higher patient satisfaction
- Improved healthcare delivery in underserved communities
These advantages have made it the go-to method of healthcare delivery, surpassing traditional services in many areas. This shift has created a demand for professionals with expertise in digital health, leading to an increase in training courses to equip healthcare industry professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills. The prevalence of digital health is shaping the future of healthcare, and its continued expansion is a testament to its many advantages. At SMU Academy, we offer several popular programmes in the area of digital health such as:
The Graduate Certificate in Digital Health is an interdisciplinary digital health course that aims to examine the effects that technology, data analytics, law and insurance have on the future of healthcare, the risks involved and the role of healthcare leadership in a digital era.
The Advanced Certificate in Business Digitalisation and Transformation Module 10: Smart Healthcare teaches how smart healthcare utilises new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (loT), big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to transform the medical system.
How are some of these digital health technologies being utilised?
The integration of technology into healthcare systems is driving the rapid growth of digital health. In addition to enhancing existing systems, it also provides valuable data that improves efficiency and accuracy for healthcare providers. Here are some examples:
- Telemedicine: Telemedicine enables patients to receive medical care remotely through video conferencing and other forms of communication technology, making it especially helpful for those in rural areas, the elderly, or those with mobility challenges.
- Electronic health records (EHRs): Electronic health records (EHRs) digitise, centralise, and streamline patient medical records, and in some cases, allow healthcare providers to collaborate and access the same information.
- Remote monitoring: With the advent of wearable devices, patients can now track and share vital signs and other health data with their healthcare providers, especially useful for those with chronic conditions or erratic behaviours.
- Clinical decision support systems: Clinical decision support systems provide healthcare professionals with real-time information and recommendations to make more informed decisions about patient care.
- Virtual reality and augmented reality: Virtual and augmented reality provide healthcare practitioners with realistic training options, including surgical training, physical therapy, and mental health treatment.
The adoption of these technologies promises numerous benefits for both healthcare providers and users. Digital health will continue to elevate the healthcare system and its process with the streamlining of practical logistics such as transportation and on-site diagnostics, and the provision of 24/7 support through monitoring wearables and access to global consultations.
Are there any considerations?
As with any rapid advancement, there is always room for improvement as new methods are established. It's important to acknowledge the challenges of digital health, particularly in ensuring the security of personal health information and addressing the digital divide for those without adequate access or understanding of technology.
However, with the enormous investments in this industry - venture fund Rock Health for example, recorded nearly double the investment in 2021 compared to the year before, with funding reaching $29.1B for US-based digital health startups - there are plenty of resources to help secure the privacy of such systems, and to enable better infrastructure and education to roll them out smoothly.
Despite these challenges, the advantages of digital health far outweigh any potential drawbacks. As we continue to embrace digitalisation, growth is expected to be exponential and widespread. Traditional on-site procedures like surgery and physical therapy will still remain, but the future of digital healthcare is bright and optimistic, driven by its potential for profitability, the increase in efficiency and accuracy of systems, and the benefits for both users and professionals.
Discover courses in digital health at SMU Academy and be part of this medical revolution.
