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Digital Health and Non Communicable Diseases
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The "Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025" by the World Health Organization aims to enhance global health outcomes through digital technologies by accelerating the development and adoption of person-centric digital health solutions. The strategy encourages countries to integrate digital health into national policies, build capacity, engage stakeholders, and establish monitoring mechanisms. It highlights the transformative potential of digital health to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes worldwide and provides a roadmap for countries to develop and implement digital health solutions (1).
Role of AI and Big Data in Drug Discovery Companies like AstraZeneca recognize the potential of AI-enabled big data in accelerating drug discovery. Future solutions will rely on community screening methods, genomic classification, and cloud-based systems. Digital therapeutics (DTx) are rapidly emerging as therapeutic interventions that use evidence-based software to prevent, manage, or treat diseases. These solutions fall under the FDA’s software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) category in the United States and are subject to regulatory approval, similar to conventional medical devices (2). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitization of healthcare, integrating telemedicine, AI, and big data. These innovations are essential for enhancing patient care, clinical decisions, and drug development. Healthcare industry leaders emphasize the importance of digital growth, data analytics, and AI to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. The pandemic demonstrated the potential for a more resilient healthcare system driven by next-generation technologies, with over 350,000 digital health apps now available (3).
Please share your thoughts on the wide range of technological advancements and digitalization efforts that are transforming healthcare.
- World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. //www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/gs4dhdaa2a9f352b0445bafbc79ca799dce4d.pdf
- Miao, B. Y., Arneson, D., Wang, M., & Butte, A. J. (2022). Open challenges in developing digital therapeutics in the United States. PLOS Digital Health, 1(1), e0000008–e0000008. //doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000008
- Transforming the future of healthcare through digitisation. (2022). Nature.com; Nature. //www.nature.com/articles/d42473-022-00174-2
Posted : August 6, 2024 5:11 pm
The efforts of the researchers and policymakers in the program coverage field are driven by the World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.8 which talks about attaining global universal health coverage, and, despite these efforts, many low and middle-income countries struggle with the inaccessibility of the required facilities due to its high cost, shortage of resources, insufficient infrastructure, inefficient planning, and sub-optimal medical supply chains and non-reliability of energy sources.
The rollout of Industry 4.0 (4IR) seems to make a promising contribution to addressing these challenges. The commonly used digital technologies in LMICs within healthcare between 2013-2022 are artificial intelligence, big data informatics, remote sensing, automation, and robotics. However, other leading technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity, were found to be used in a few places. There is a scope for promoting the use of technologies such as Augmented Reality, Digital twin & simulation, and Additive manufacturing due to their potential to improve challenges related to healthcare equity, and infrastructure, and reduce the cost of healthcare, and skills shortages.
The leading areas with the application of 4IR within healthcare are electronic health records, telemedicine and teleconsultation, healthcare planning, decision support systems, integrated healthcare systems, resilient health systems, medical computing, disease surveillance, rural healthcare, personalized and precision medicine, and preventive health services.
At least five digital Health 4.0 technologies positively impact the healthcare systems: teleconsultations, real-time healthcare planning, digital non-invasive care, integrated medical emergency support, and collaborative sharing of patient health records.
The exploitation of Industry 4.0 technologies and digital technologies can be an effective way of addressing the key public health challenges. The government could consider exploring and investing in these options to fulfill the increasing needs of a larger population after pondering over the ways to manage the costs and establishing collaborations to develop a team of trained and skilled workforce.
References:
- Mwanza, J., Telukdarie, A., & Igusa, T. (2023). Impact of industry 4.0 on healthcare systems of low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Health and Technology, 13(1), 35-52.
- Chakraborty, V. Bhatt, T. Chakravorty, and K. Chakraborty, “Analysis of digital technologies as ante[1]cedent to care service transparency and orchestration,” Technology in Society, vol. 65, p. 101,568, May 2021, //doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101568 .
- Preko and R. Boateng, “Assessing healthcare digital[1]isation in Ghana: A critical realist’s approach,” Health Policy and Technology, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 255–262, Jun. 2020, //doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.03.006 .
- Marques da Rosa, T. A. Saurin, G. L. Tortorella, F. S. Fogliatto, L. M. Tonetto, and D. Samson, “Digital technologies: An exploratory study of their role in the resilience of healthcare services,” Appl Ergon, vol. 97, p. 103,517, Nov. 2021, //doi.org/10.1016/j. apergo.2021.103517.
Posted : August 14, 2024 12:33 pm
Telemedicine is a crucial innovation in healthcare, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. It addresses the challenges of the 21st century, such as increased healthcare demand, an aging population, and the need for efficient information management, all within budget constraints. Despite its benefits, obstacles like high equipment costs, connectivity issues, and resistance to new technology hinder its widespread adoption, especially in remote areas. Telemedicine offers significant potential for improving healthcare access and education, but it faces challenges related to cost, legal issues, and cultural resistance. To succeed, comprehensive global regulations and guidelines are needed.
Reference: Stoumpos, A. I., Kitsios, F., & Talias, M. A. (2023). Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Technology Acceptance and Its Applications. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(4), 3407. //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043407
Posted : August 31, 2024 1:10 pm
Over the past few decades, there have been drastic changes in information technology across all domains except healthcare. A new era of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has grown to higher potential by implementing eHealth systems to improve healthcare quality and simplify the problems and challenges health professionals and customers/patients/beneficiaries have faced [1]. Digital transformation in healthcare is revolutionizing the healthcare sector, including telemedicine, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data as key categories of services. Telemedicine enables remote patient consultation and increasing healthcare access. EHRs are digitizing patient histories for improved care coordination and error reduction. AI and ML automate routine tasks and aid decision-making. Wearables and the IoT facilitate real-time health monitoring and personalized care [2].
Telemedicine holds immense potential to alter the way healthcare is delivered to patients, boosting access to medical care in both urban and rural areas. Broadly, it encompasses approaches for remote delivery of healthcare-related services, with the potential to shift healthcare from the doctor's office directly into the patient's home. Recognized as one of the greatest advancements in health services, telemedicine is significant not only from a technological standpoint but also culturally and socially, as it enhances access to healthcare services while simultaneously improving medical care quality and organizational efficiency. It addresses the challenges posed by socioeconomic changes in twenty-first-century healthcare systems, such as increased demands, aging populations, mobility of citizens, the need to manage large amounts of information, global competitiveness, and improved healthcare provision, all within the constraints of limited budgets and spending. However, considerable impediments remain regarding telemedicine standardization, as well as its full consolidation and spread [3]
The WHO acknowledges the capability of digital health interventions to ensure high-quality care for people. Digital innovations allow individuals an exclusive approach to information and computing power. The Internet’s ability to facilitate faster and more efficient data storage and sharing has accelerated the diffusion of innovation for sustainable development [4].
India's digital turn in healthcare and maps the characteristics of a ‘digital health for all’ policy, based on empirical analysis of India's first digital-based universal health coverage program – Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) – with fieldwork material from the states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Being a smart-card-centered programme, RSBY marks the genesis of a digital approach to healthcare in India [5].
There have been many such digital health interventions such as the Swasthya Pahal which is a "health for all" innovative community-based program, facilitated through an interactive, multi-lingual, standalone, and internet-enabled touchscreen computer-based program that aims to enhance self-management of NCDs including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among individuals living across diverse community settings. This community program facilitates the collection of individual subjective and objective data using the SMAART informatics platform [4].
However, with every innovation comes challenges, which should be addressed at every level possible for the betterment of the healthcare sector. Security and privacy of patient data is a major concern in an age when health records are increasingly being digitized. For the full benefits of digital transformation to be realized, it is necessary to ensure that there is seamless communication and interoperability across different digital systems and devices. Healthcare professionals need proper training to use new digital tools effectively, while patients have to be ready to adopt these technologies.
In conclusion, digital transformation in healthcare offers more efficient, accessible, and personalized healthcare; however, implementing it carefully and addressing challenges like data security as well as system interoperability continuously is essential.
References:
[1] Rahul Pulimamidi. (2024). To enhance customer (or patient) experience based on IoT analytical study through technology (IT) transformation for E-healthcare. Measurement Sensors, 101087–101087. //doi.org/10.1016/j.measen.2024.101087
[2] Babar, M., Qureshi, B., & Anis Koubaa. (2024). Review on Federated Learning for digital transformation in healthcare through big data analytics. Future Generation Computer Systems, 160, 14–28. //doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2024.05.046
[3] Chauhan, P., Bali, A., & Kaur, S. (2024). Breaking Barriers for Accessible Health Programs. Advances in Healthcare Information Systems and Administration Book Series, 283–307. //doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3661-8.ch014
[4] Joshi, A., Kaur, M., Arora, S., Bhatt, A., Sharma, P., Kaur, H., Kumar, K., Arora, M., Malhotra, B., & Ajay Anshuman. (2021). A pilot evaluation of Swasthya Pahal program using the SMAART informatics framework to support NCD self-management. MHealth, 7, 55–55. //doi.org/10.21037/mhealth-20-110
[5] Marine Al Dahdah, & Mishra, R. K. (2023). Digital health for all: The turn to digitized healthcare in India. Social Science & Medicine, 319, 114968–114968. //doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114968
[3] Chauhan, P., Bali, A., & Kaur, S. (2024). Breaking Barriers for Accessible Health Programs. Advances in Healthcare Information Systems and Administration Book Series, 283–307. //doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3661-8.ch014
[4] Joshi, A., Kaur, M., Arora, S., Bhatt, A., Sharma, P., Kaur, H., Kumar, K., Arora, M., Malhotra, B., & Ajay Anshuman. (2021). A pilot evaluation of Swasthya Pahal program using the SMAART informatics framework to support NCD self-management. MHealth, 7, 55–55. //doi.org/10.21037/mhealth-20-110
[5] Marine Al Dahdah, & Mishra, R. K. (2023). Digital health for all: The turn to digitized healthcare in India. Social Science & Medicine, 319, 114968–114968. //doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114968
Posted : August 31, 2024 1:40 pm
Digital transformation in healthcare signifies a significant shift in how medical services are supplied and managed, owing to the incorporation of new technologies. This progression includes the broad adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence (AI), all of which improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of care. Healthcare professionals can use big data analytics to better anticipate and manage patient outcomes, while robotics and automation expedite surgical and administrative operations. However, this change creates several issues, including protecting data privacy, creating interoperability among varied systems, and resolving the financial implications of technological expenditures. Overall, digital transformation seeks to create a more connected, personalised, and responsive healthcare environment, hence increasing patient care and operational effectiveness.
Posted : September 1, 2024 11:37 am
The healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound transformation through technological advancements and digitalization, fundamentally reshaping patient care, drug discovery, and healthcare delivery. The World Health Organization's "Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025" emphasizes the integration of digital health into national policies, underscoring its potential to improve global health outcomes by leveraging person-centric digital solutions. This strategy acts as a crucial roadmap for countries to enhance healthcare systems through technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are particularly transformative in drug discovery. Companies like AstraZeneca harness AI to accelerate drug development, utilizing community screening, genomic data, and cloud-based systems. Digital therapeutics (DTx), classified under the FDA’s software-as-a-medical-device category, are also gaining prominence, offering software-based interventions for disease management.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of these technologies, with telemedicine, AI, and big data becoming integral to a more resilient healthcare system. The rise of over 350,000 digital health apps highlights the rapid digital growth within the industry, enhancing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. These advancements collectively demonstrate the vast potential of digital health to revolutionize healthcare delivery worldwide.
Posted : September 3, 2024 10:14 am
Digital transformation refers to the digital technology changes used to benefit society and the healthcare industry. Healthcare systems need to use digital technology for innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery and to achieve improvement in medical problems. The digital transformation of healthcare includes changes related to the internet, digital technologies, and their relation to new therapies and best practices for better health management procedures. The quality control of massive data collected can help improve patients’ well-being and reduce the cost of services. Digital technologies will also impact medical education, and experts will deceive new ways to train people. Now in this way, practitioners will face new opportunities.
Digital transformation is an ongoing process that can create opportunities in the health sector, provided the necessary infrastructure and training are available. Under Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021, establishing the Digital Europe Program and repealing Decision (EU) 2015/2240, digital transformation is defined as the use of digital technologies for the transformation of businesses and services. Some technologies that contribute to digital transformation are the digital platform of the Internet of Things, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. At the same time, the sectors of society that are almost affected are telecommunications, financial services and healthcare.
Reference:
Stoumpos, A. I., Kitsios, F., & Talias, M. A. (2023). Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Technology Acceptance and Its Applications. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(4), 3407. //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043407
Posted : September 9, 2024 9:21 am
Thank you for posting this discussion on the thread! Given India is slowly progressing towards building digital healthcare infrastructure and trying to optimize and integrate existing health systems, it would be interesting to see how AI could be used in the process. For example, the country currently wants to take digital health to an advanced place by integrating lab records as a part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). In this case, the knowledge of AI can be particularly leveraged to study existing trends and patterns of lab data optimization to suggest further improvements.
Posted : September 9, 2024 1:44 pm