A successful digital healthcare platform is one that stands out of the clutter of the competition and includes quality concepts to create improved performance while building a successful healthcare ecosystem.
The pandemic has proven that ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ as evidenced by the surge in demand for digital health services in the last 18-20 months. As per global market insight, the Digital Health market size exceeded USD 141.8 billion in 2020 and is estimated to grow at over 17.4% between 2021 and 2027.
Countries across the world are attempting to bring healthcare delivery online by incorporating Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, and Data Analytics to augment healthcare services. However, a successful digital healthcare platform is one that stands out of the clutter of the competition and includes quality concepts to create improved performance while building a successful healthcare ecosystem. That said, let’s take a look at some tips that can help digital healthcare platforms grow:
Adopt the provider 1st approach: A doctor knows what’s best
While a healthcare system needs to be patient-centric, it’s crucial never to overlook the caregivers – doctors since both parties are just two sides of the same coin and can’t function without each other. Healthcare platforms alone cannot take responsibility for any patient health issues if no qualified doctors are available because doctors know what is best for their patients.
Healthcare providers have to face several challenges, including a staffing deficit, inaccurate patient data, and much more. In such scenarios, Digital Healthcare systems have emerged as a blessing for healthcare providers as they easily resolve these issues by providing patient-mediated data, appointment scheduling protocol, and even office hours. The provider-first approach empowers the providers to provide real-time value-based patient care coordination and save lives proactively. It’s all about striking a balance and giving equal importance to both the doctors and the patients.
Provide services that solve the most burning need for the patient and provider
A digital health care platform should recognize the unmet needs of the patients and providers and offer services accordingly. Patients often look for a simplified experience that allows them to handle any difficulty or concerns as quickly as possible. Furthermore, by combining quality and convenience, digital healthcare platforms can encourage people to take their health more seriously.
With the use of Artificial Intelligence and improved data management, digital healthcare platforms can assist healthcare providers in acquiring and storing massive volumes of data, including patient data collected via mobile health apps, as well as assisting them in analyzing it. This makes it easier for doctors to streamline their processes and focus on providing exceptional patient care.
Make services simple and easy for patients, support in a regional language to cover the masses
The primary goal of patient involvement should be to gain a deeper emotional understanding of patients. It should not presume that patients who have access to the appropriate technology also have the required skills to use it. So, digital healthcare platforms should ensure that services like booking appointments, ordering medicine, consulting doctors, and setting medicine reminders, although simple, are tasks that patients may need assistance with, especially if they aren’t tech-savvy.
Apart from that, it is seen that people feel comfortable with the local language, which is critical when seeking medical advice. Thus, a healthcare app that makes local language-speaking doctors available to a multilingual user base would not only bridge the digital divide and overcome language barriers but will also spread like a fire covering the masses.
Provide a complete package
A digital healthcare platform should provide a complete package instead of services that come in bits and pieces. A package should include a self-assessment and preventative tool, a medical concierge, a teleconsultation interface, the ability to order medicines online, medicine delivery, and email, chat support via mobile and web apps. Offering patients with end-to-end support will make the entire experience seamless.
Ensure the platform is both secure and compliant
There’s no denying that digital technologies are transforming our lives – and now they’re playing an instrumental role in the betterment of patients’ health by allowing them to access safe, high-quality, and affordable healthcare. However, with digital technologies becoming more prevalent, cyber breaches can be a big concern. It must recognize that cybersecurity is the second half of digital transformation. So, bolstered security measures are required to protect medical devices and to limit the risk of protected health information being compromised. A successful healthcare platform is one that is both secure and compliant.
The road ahead
The digital transformation is building the groundwork for a new era in healthcare. As a result, more transparency in healthcare services is required to ensure that people and procedures are held accountable, allowing for better medical care. Given the rapid, large-scale adoption of technology in the healthcare system, digital healthcare platforms are here to stay.
Source: Business World
