The Transformation of Healthcare: COVID-19, a Catalyst
By Dr. Harish Pillai
Beyond digitisation, how has COVID-19 been a game-changer for the healthcare industry?
In March 2020, the healthcare delivery system faced an unprecedented challenge because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the healthcare ecosystem was overwhelmed and forced some to the threshold of collapsing. In several areas, healthcare facilities were unable to handle the wave of acutely ill COVID-19 patients who required critical care. The system was significantly overburdened, comprising patients with COVID-19 as well as other patients with acute or chronic diseases. Many patients avoided emergency medical aid due to fear of infection, resulting in prolonged care time.
However, the sacrifices made by the healthcare community reached a crescendo to create a powerful catalyst towards a progressive change in healthcare. The healthcare revolution initiated by the channel of technology such as telemedicine was dictated by the pandemic's impact on the system. COVID-19 has accelerated the search in helping change both consumer behaviour as well as that of providers. The stringent lockdown experienced in the first quarter provided a rare window of connectivity only through telemedicine channels for existing and new patients. It is safe to say that the system is now geared for digitalization than ever before.
Several other tech inventions rolled out during the lockdown helped organizations tackle the overwhelming situation; these included mobile applications for Teleconsultation, Homecare, Diagnostic services and the COVID-19 self-assessment tool. Newer portals are being advocated to enable patients to interact with all clinicians, to obtain appointments, payment gateways, gain access to diagnostic reports etc. Healthcare systems have embarked on a large digital transformation journey that will bear fruit in this financial year.
Having said the above, there is huge potential to learn from the pandemic and boost the quality of healthcare through available opportunities, these include:
Incentivize the laggards, States through the finance commission to give a greater share of the centrally pooled tax income to those states which have made greater provisions for social sectors such as healthcare and education. There must be a widely publicized national ranking of states as per healthcare indices to promote competition within a federal structure.
The need to establish more customer value organizations by eliminating redundancy, reengineering methods, using technology, and extending remote care.
To create a larger cadre of competent and technically skilled health workers and to further build the community in the country, it is important to sustain improvement in the medical education sector including doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. Hopefully, the government acts as a catalyst to amend regulatory actions that will help in increasing the healthcare workforce.
Nurture the continued focus on holistic and preventive healthcare.
Creating a unique health ID through the implementation of the National Digital Health Mission is imperative. This enables the concept of data privacy across India and pushes access to electronic medical records that enable the continuum of care and the lifecycle of an individual.
Reinforce and boost R&D and innovation. The pandemic proved to be a challenge but created a mammoth opportunity to relook at and introduce newer initiatives and large-scale partnerships. It is thus important to enhance the use of technology and encourage innovations.
Author:
Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO – Aster India, Aster DM Healthcare~