The implications of COVID-19 on the global healthcare industry have been huge, and the rapid shift to digital transformation means that the impact of the pandemic will be long lasting.
Alongside other highly regulated industries, 2020 represented an opportunity for the wide-spread modernisation of healthcare working practices, on an unprecedented scale. This has irrevocably changed what modern healthcare provision looks like.
The question now is, how to ensure that this digital acceleration can be sustained?
According to recent research from technology-provider Twilio, as much as 35% of healthcare will be delivered virtually post pandemic. This represents a huge opportunity to shift away from the traditional transactional model — “sick care” — to a proactive and consumer-centric approach.
The report, which echoes the findings of many recent studies, highlights how digital communications were critical to business survival in 2020, and that the solutions built during this period will shape business success (including healthcare organisations) in the post-pandemic economy.
“Digital connection was a defining part of every pandemic experience, and it will be the foundation of the next phase of digital transformation,” says Glenn Weinstein, Chief Customer Officer at Twilio. “From the complex logistics of vaccine distribution, to powering the hybrid workforce, digital engagement is already playing a critical role in the process of recovery and rebuilding the world is tackling now.”
Going forward, leading healthcare providers will differentiate themselves by leveraging technology to connect and support patients as they go about their daily lives, a critical step in improving population health and lowering costs. This means building upon the progress made during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring that digital continues to enhance operations rather than hindering.
We are already beginning to see reports from healthcare professionals that suggest in many cases the pace of digital transformation has led to administrative overburden. It is therefore essential to ensure future strategies balance the benefit of technology with the needs of both care providers and patients.
In our latest issue (Digital Acceleration in Healthcare), we include content which discusses the rapid adoption of technology across all aspects of healthcare provision and operation, alongside thought leadership articles that ask how we can effectively manage this rapid shift to digital healthcare operation.
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