In the last few months, healthcare organisations have had no choice but to adjust and diversify in order to withstand the turmoil caused by COVID-19. Despite having little say in the matter, this adapt-to-survive mentality has influenced some of the greatest levels of innovation that we have seen across the industry in years.
Our reliance on outdated tools and manual processes have been replaced by cutting-edge technologies, new use cases and updated regulatory pathways. Regardless of this transformation being instantaneous and unplanned, the benefits have quickly demonstrated that the majority of these changes could – and should – have been made much sooner.
Now, with the worst seemingly over, the healthcare industry is in a unique position to continue modernising. Only by maintaining this momentum can we future-proof the health service in order to provide the best possible care and ensure its long-term survival.
Reluctant patients at risk
Since infection cases began to multiply at an alarming rate, worries of contracting COVID-19 have been front of mind for the majority of the population. As such, even those suffering with potentially life-threatening medical conditions – such as heart attacks or strokes – have avoided hospitals at all costs. This led to a plea from doctors, charities and the health service, urging people to seek medical care as and when they need it.
In March, there was evidence that the number of people admitted to hospitals across England with a suspected heart attack had halved. Monthly figures showed cases had dropped from 300 per day to just 150, with many of those patients significantly delaying seeking care. Doctors expressed concerns around how this reluctance to visit hospitals would impact people’s risk of long-term heart damage, as well as potential loss of life.
With a dramatic number of people suffering in silence, it became clear that healthcare providers needed to find new ways to encourage patients to continue asking for help. Many medical device manufacturers, for example, have adapted their offerings to include direct-to-patient shipping models. This has meant that patients have still had access to assured and accurate diagnosis from the comfort of their own homes, even for the most serious of conditions.
The remote revolution
But the changes didn’t stop with hospitals. Since the pandemic began, GP surgeries and private practices have also been unable to carry out routine face-to-face appointments and, as a result, we have seen a surge in the number of professionals turning to telemedicine in order to interact with, and diagnose, patients.
NHS figures reveal that almost half (48%) of patient appointments in May were carried out over the phone, compared with 14 percent just three months prior. Despite phone consultations being available before the pandemic, many people still favoured an in-person visit to their doctor. As a result, typically long wait times and inefficient manual processes resulted in higher levels of staff pressure and burnout.
While physical appointments will no doubt begin to gain pace again as the virus continues to subside, the majority (88%) of GPs have spoken out about their desire to continue with remote consultations. When asked what other changes they feel should be retained longer-term, less paperwork / bureaucracy (82%) and use of video technology for clinical meetings (77%) ranked second and third.
Redefining traditions for the better
Despite having to overcome a few initial hurdles, we’re starting to see the benefits of implementing these changes in recent months. Patients still have access to the same levels of advice and care as before, while practitioners have been able to alleviate some of the time and admin pressures they were previously facing.
However, in order to truly see long-term improvement, we can’t stop now. In just a matter of months, these overdue innovations have completely revolutionised healthcare. Previously, even when new technologies or digitalisation efforts have reached break-through stage, it has taken far too long and become more of a burden than a benefit. The current pandemic, however, has made us sit up and think.
Even now we’re still seeing a reduced number of patients visiting hospitals for critical care –this cannot be the case. In order to ensure people still feel as though they have access to treatment, we must go digital. While getting everyone on board will take time, training and an open-mind, it’s clear that healthcare professionals are craving innovation as much as patients. Not only will this help us be better prepared should a second wave hit, it’s the only way we can future-proof our health service for years to come.
By Justin Hall, GM and VP EMEA, iRhythm Technologies
