A wide concept called "digital healthcare" includes ideas that connect technology to healthcare. In order to remotely monitor a patient's health, connected medical equipment is crucial. By seamlessly transferring medical data between patients and healthcare professionals, these technologies are redefining the healthcare sector.
Digital healthcare devices have started to appear in the last ten years or so as a result of the technological revolution, allowing patients and providers to communicate more effectively. Smartphone applications that track and produce vital data include connected blood pressure monitors and oxygen levels. The majority of connected devices have been developed with a variety of features, including high-resolution imaging and real-time monitoring.
With Healthcare 1.0 and Healthcare 2.0, the private healthcare industry in India has seen remarkable development during the last three decades. The general public was not very knowledgeable about healthcare during the Healthcare 1.0 period. The model was primarily driven by practitioners. Investment in the private healthcare sector increased as technology developed and the need for secondary and tertiary care increased. This transformation was also fueled by government engagement through programmes like the National Health Mission. In the Healthcare 2.0 era that we currently live in, there are first-rate medical facilities and highly qualified digital healthcare services.
Though Healthcare 2.0 was a major leap in the health industry, it lacked certain qualities like electronic medical records and data digitisation. But with the growing use of disruptive technologies for virtual care, this is about to change. According to modern trends and technological advancements, the private healthcare industry will reevaluate its business models. This transformation is being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic as the nation's healthcare system buckles under the strain.
In the last decade, the internet and mobile connectivity have drastically changed India's consumption habits, directly affecting business models across all industries, including the healthcare industry. Access to banking, insurance, transportation, and other services has improved because of digitization. Access to healthcare is being impacted by this trend as well. Here are a few predictions about the future of digital healthcare:
● Self-care: Over the coming decades, patients' knowledge of healthcare will increase. They will discover how to effectively control their health. The usage of wearable technology, remote support services, and electronic health data will be the driving forces behind this self-care.
● Awareness: Patients in urban and rural regions now have unrestricted access to healthcare-related information thanks to expanding internet and mobile connectivity. They can keep up with the most recent news and trends.
● Transparency: As patients become more informed, there will be greater demand for transparency in healthcare costs, facilities, care provider credentials, treatment options, and safety. This will compel caregivers to uphold a higher level of care and trust.
● Participation: The patients will have to play an active role to participate. As consumers become more involved in health-related decisions, the healthcare system will become more patient-centered.
AI is expected to improve care and bridge the gap between doctors and other care providers in India through digital healthcare. While AI is currently used to diagnose and plan treatment for chronic conditions and cancer, it will play a larger role in drug discovery, primary care, and clinical decision support systems in the future (CDSS). The goal will be to relieve the burden on hospitals and caregivers, rather than to replace them.
Remote patient monitoring, or RPM, is helping hospitals improve their operations. As telehealth devices become more affordable, in-home patient monitoring will become more common. Doctors and clinics will be able to reach patients in different locations and provide care in real-time by using connected devices.
After analysing the patient's records, the software can identify discrepancies between the patient's health-related issues and prescriptions. Following that, they can inform patients about proper medication methods.
Healthcare innovation has a vast scope. Digital healthcare providers will look for ways to use emerging technologies to develop better strategies. These trailblazers will develop new solutions to improve access to healthcare in both urban and rural areas. Healthcare leaders can ensure the delivery of improved health systems, particularly for vulnerable populations, by putting innovation at the centre of their efforts. The economic impact of diseases will diminish over time, chronic diseases will be better managed, and life expectancy will rise.
