The Rise of Digital Health Solutions in a Post-Covid World

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a humanitarian crisis like never before, with over 38 million people infected by the virus, and more than 1 million lives lost. There’s no doubt that the coronavirus has exposed the vulnerability of the human ecosystem and our helplessness before an invisible threat.

On the other hand, the healthcare industry is striving to ramp up the production capacity of essential equipment and protective gear, design better mission-critical devices, and administer care to thousands of people worldwide.

Though many MedTech companies have quickly risen to the challenge, the global healthcare industry will need to embrace digital health solutions to tide over this crisis and beyond.

Embracing the new normal

It was recently discovered that pre-Covid, roughly 13,000 people in the US, received telemedicine once a week. However, by April 2020, this number had increased to nearly 1.7 million. In fact, over 9 million people have received a telehealth service between March and June.

As healthcare workers and patients get used to the concept of telemedicine, virtual care will penetrate deeper into healthcare services. Real-time, face-to-face encounters between doctors and patients through digital devices, have now become the new norm.

Even critical care physicians are now embracing the tele-ICU model, where an off-site critical care command centre is connected with patients in ICUs through real-time audio, visual, and electronic means to exchange health information.

And, with digital health solutions and contactless experiences becoming the new mantra, telehealth companies like Teladoc and HealthHero have seen an aggressive demand for their platform offerings. Even non-traditional IT players such as Zoom and Microsoft are keen on exploring virtual healthcare.

Can telehealth replace in-person care?

In the opinion of many, telehealth does have its limits. For instance, in rural areas, poor internet connectivity and bandwidth coverage mean that patients have no choice but to visit physical healthcare facilities for care. Similarly, some segments of our population, such as the elderly, aren’t too keen on the concept of digital health solutions and virtual healthcare.

In reality, one of the biggest challenges for virtual healthcare delivery is seamless patient and caregiver experiences. To achieve this, large tech firms like Microsoft and Salesforce are making significant investments in CRM software and digital health solutions. This, in turn, will improve digital workflows, reduce the turnaround time, and increase the effectiveness of telehealth and virtual care management.

A digital patient journey beyond Covid-19

One of the primary reasons for the shift to digital health solutions is qualitative treatment modules, flexibility, and improved patient care — which, in turn — contribute to cost savings in the long term.

What can you expect?

Usually, the first bump in the road is scheduling appointments. With many patients in full-time jobs, it isn’t always convenient to visit the doctor during office hours.

In fact, before the pandemic, the Benefis Health System in the US found that 50% of all patients preferred to book appointments after hours, even for urgent care. Post-Covid, we can expect this number to increase as more patients switch to patient scheduling platforms to book their appointments and virtual consultations.

Also, post-Covid, a huge influx of patients, will want to reschedule postponed visits. Providers can streamline the registration and scheduling process by allowing them to be completed online. This will not only save time but will offer a more efficient patient experience.

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