Embracing the digital world holds immense potential for redefining healthcare and creating a better future. In this age of AI in almost everything, technology enables us to 'do more with less'. From AI-powered workflow automation to the rise of telemedicine and personalised wellness, they hold immense potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery and improve access to quality care. This will explore the multifaceted impact of AI in healthcare, delving into areas such as workflow automation, telemedicine, collaborative diagnostics, personalised wellness, and embracing green procurement for a sustainable future.
As we navigate through these advancements, it becomes evident that the synergy between technology and healthcare not only addresses current concerns but also lays the foundation for a future where patient care is more efficient, accessible, and personalized. The healthcare IT market was worth USD 303.4 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to exhibit a 13.5 per cent CAGR from 2023–2032 owing to rising investments in healthcare infrastructure in Asian countries. With cutting-edge technologies that promise to improve patient care, improve efficiency, and address challenges such as staff shortages, healthcare organizations are increasingly embracing innovative solutions and changing the healthcare industry. Some of the emerging trends that will shape the healthcare industry in 2024 are listed below.
Using artificial intelligence to automate workflows: Healthcare organisations are increasingly turning to AI for workflow automation, addressing staff shortages, and improving efficiency. To address work-life balance concerns, organisations offer increased flexibility. AI in diagnostic imaging automates tasks, enabling radiographers to focus on patient care. AI-based reconstruction ensures high-quality images for precise diagnoses by radiologists. In cardiac ultrasound, AI simplifies tasks through 3D quantification, streamlining image acquisition and analysis for sonographers, leading to more efficient cardiac care. The future sees generative AI reducing administrative burdens, with applications like automated documentation freeing up physicians for higher-value tasks and enhancing overall care quality.
Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring: With the demand for accessible healthcare services on the rise in India, telemedicine has quickly become a highly sought-after option. Its potential has not gone unnoticed, leading to the development of cutting-edge solutions for remote patient monitoring. These platforms allow individuals to easily and conveniently receive consultations from healthcare experts from the comforts of their own homes. This not only eases the strain on hospitals, but also enhances the availability and accessibility of top-quality healthcare services.
Collaborative diagnostics for tailored patient care: The surge in diagnostic data, spanning imaging, digital pathology, and genomics, emphasises the need for a unified approach to delivering precise diagnoses. Currently scattered across systems, this poses challenges for cohesive patient care. Advancements in integrated diagnostics aim to streamline data exchange among healthcare specialists. Imagine a collaborative 'cockpit,' where diverse data converges in a vendor-agnostic digital space, supporting efficient collaboration for timely and accurate diagnoses. Integrated diagnostics, especially in cancer care, enhance precision in early-stage diagnoses and treatments, improving favourable outcomes. Specialist collaboration fosters a continuous feedback loop, refining diagnostic processes for optimal patient care.
Wearables and Personalized Wellness: Empowering individuals to actively participate in their health journey is a fundamental shift in healthcare. Wearable devices and health apps are making personalised wellness a reality. In India, wearables can track activity levels, sleep patterns, and vital signs, providing individuals with valuable insights into their health and motivating them to adopt healthy habits. Wearable ECG monitors, like the BioPatch, empower patients with chronic heart conditions to self-monitor and share data with their doctors for proactive care management.
Embracing Green Procurement for a Sustainable Future: Promoting sustainable practices along the whole healthcare value chain is becoming more and more popular among stakeholders, healthcare systems, and health technology firms. This covers delivery, service, innovation, and operations. Procurement is one sector where major sustainability changes are taking place. Future developments in green procurement will likely change the way that healthcare supplies are supplied as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure standards spread throughout the world. These requirements include requiring suppliers to show how their digital offerings support efficiency and decarbonisation, prioritising circularity in health technology products and solutions, demanding transparency on product performance and EcoDesign, and requiring suppliers to report their environmental impact and have plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The healthcare landscape in India is now at a crucial turning point. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and promoting fair access, we can pave the way towards a healthier future for all. In the near future, the aid of AI assistants could alleviate doctors' administrative burdens, enabling them to fully focus on connecting with their patients. Thanks to telemedicine platforms, individuals in remote locations can receive top-notch care from specialists throughout the country. With the assistance of collaborative diagnostic platforms, doctors can make more accurate diagnoses and develop tailored treatment plans. Along with the support of wearable technology, individuals have the power to take charge of their own health and lead proactive, healthier lives.
Through ongoing innovation and collaborative efforts, these transformative healthcare trends can become a reality, ensuring that quality healthcare becomes accessible and affordable for every citizen of India. As we stand on the precipice of this healthcare revolution, it is our collective responsibility to embrace these technologies and forge a path towards a healthier, happier India.
The author is Head of Clinical Partnerships, Growth Region and Philips Innovation Campus, Bangalore
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