Digital healthcare is growing. The transformation is driven by changes in consumer behaviour, technological innovation, scarcity of resources, and increased demands for accessibility. As a complement to physical healthcare, digital healthcare offers new opportunities which create value for patients, healthcare services, and society as a whole.
For patients
- Patients are given more accessible care and increased influence over their health and their care contacts,
- A person suffering from a mental health issue is given better opportunities to seek help in time before the problems have become too severe.
- Chronically ill patients, whose condition worsens abroad, can digitally contact their regular healthcare provider, who is familiar with their symptoms and medical history, providing continuity and security.
- Parents do not have to drag their ill and crying child (and possibly siblings) into the car and drive miles to a GP practice, saving time, money, tears, and the risk of further contagion.
- A person lying awake at night due to health problems does not have to set their alarm to make the GP practice’s telephone hours and can book a visit or send a message at any time.
- Elderly patients can get support and help by having a relative join them in a multi-party call, and patients who do not understand English can invite an interpreter to the visit.
For the health services
- By offering digital healthcare under its own brand, a healthcare organisation can differentiate and broaden its services.
- Healthcare providers can reach more people and offer the flexibility and accessibility that many people are looking for.
- At a digital practice, resources can be smartly allocated and healthcare professionals from various physical practices can cooperate on staffing, making specialists available to more people.
- Information and communication between different sections of the healthcare chain can be coordinated, increasing quality and facilitating care planning.
- Reminders reduce the risk of patients missing their appointments, saving on alternative costs.
- The organisation becomes a more attractive employer by offering greater flexibility to its employees.
- Healthcare professionals can work remotely, from home or while traveling, and get a more variety in their workday.
- Integrated patient and care information systems make the workflow more efficient and administration easier.
For the society
- The digitalisation of healthcare can produce a more sustainable, proactive, and equal care.
- Making care provision independent of location makes healthcare accessible to all, regardless of where they are.
- Reduced travel means fewer emissions and major environmental benefits.
- Increased accessibility means that more people get help in good time.
- Digital tools allow for a more proactive working method, with a focus on maintaining good health rather than curing persons once they are ill.
- Better coordinated care allows for a more patient-centric, high-quality care.
Learn more about how Visiba Care can help you get started on digitalising your work.
