Modernisation is becoming increasingly important in the healthcare industry. Factors contributing to this need are increased ageing populations, patient expectations, and technological improvements. These factors mandate healthcare companies to transition from traditional work practices to technology-based approaches.
However, making this transition presents several challenges. These include data silos, compatibility problems, and costly technological requirements. According to a report, the digital health market was valued at $172 billion in 2024 and is likely to increase further. This growth underlines the increasing adoption of advanced technologies for healthcare modernisation.
Digital health solutions can assist healthcare institutions in this aspect and help them overcome modernisation challenges. They can help healthcare providers to change how they offer care and enhance patient experience.
Role of Digital Health Solutions in Transforming Healthcare
The healthcare industry is multifaceted and has different requirements depending on the ongoing processes. These include patient care delivery, administrative tasks, medical research, and diagnostics. These operations require innovative digital health solutions to address their specific requirements.
Digital transformation in healthcare means optimising patient satisfaction, productivity, and the speed of medical discovery. Companies can enable this transformation through digital health services built on the latest technological advancements, such as AI/ML. These services can create a healthcare system that is patient-oriented, affordable, and innovative.
7 Services that Drive Digital Transformation in Healthcare
Digital transformation is about improving health systems’ current and future status with digital technologies. Seven critical digital health initiatives can power this transformation and optimise the efficiency of various healthcare operations. These initiatives span software development, data analytics, AI, and digital platforms, creating a comprehensive framework for healthcare modernisation.
1. Healthcare Software Engineering
Digital transformation in healthcare requires robust software solutions. This entails creating tools and systems like Electronic Health Records (EHRs), telemedicine, and patient engagement applications.
Healthcare software engineering services can help organisations develop such digital health solutions. They can ensure ease of use and data security and meet legal requirements such as IEC 62304 & ISO 13485. For example, software engineering services can create applications for automating administrative work, better care coordination, and remote monitoring services.
2. Data Analytics Solutions
Healthcare operations generate a massive amount of data. This includes patient records, medical images, and vitals from smart devices. Data analytics services can assist in identifying useful information from these data that drives digital transformation in healthcare. These insights help improve predictive analytics, machine learning algorithms, and big data systems.
For example, combining medical imaging and genomic data can enhance diagnostic capabilities and assist in designing the appropriate care plans. Similarly, AI can help real-time analytics tools to improve decision-making while adhering to GDPR and HIPAA standards.
3. Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
Efficient healthcare application lifecycle management is vital to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability of digital health initiatives. ALM services with digital health solutions can create a structured approach for the entire application lifecycle. This includes initial application development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and updates.
The ALM services align cross-functional teams, define requirements, manage product releases, and ensure quality assurance. This structured approach enhances application performance, provides timely updates, minimises risks, and maximises ROI.
4. Application Testing and Maintenance
Healthcare applications must be tested rigorously to guarantee they are safe, high-quality, and reliable. Application testing services can ensure this with various testing methods and that applications are integrated and compliant in different environments. These testing methods include functional, performance, and security testing.
Ongoing maintenance and support are equally essential as testing for digital transformation in healthcare. Application maintenance services can help in this aspect. They can address after-deployment issues, provide regular updates, and ensure long-term stability. Digital health solutions with app testing and maintenance ensure minimal disruption and enhanced patient safety.
5. Interoperability Solutions for Healthcare
Healthcare systems involve high interoperability, and passing information from one system to another is essential. Digital health solutions based on HL7, FHIR, and DICOM standards form a secure way to connect devices, apps, and platforms and exchange information. They bridge the information gap between healthcare providers, payers, and systems and enable holistic care.
For example, care providers can access comprehensive patient records with interoperability solutions. This smooth information access improves care coordination while reducing errors.
6. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare
AI continues to drive digital transformation in the healthcare industry with its capability to handle big and complex data. It helps reveal patterns from these data, provide insight from data analysis, and automate repetitive tasks.
For instance, AI helps healthcare providers to analyse medical records and scan images with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. This transforms into improved diagnostics, personalised care, and operational optimisation.
7. Digital Health Platform
Digital health platforms are vital to modernising healthcare and improving patient outcomes. These platforms aggregate multiple data sources and applications to create a connected healthcare system. For example, remote care and telemedicine applications enable healthcare professionals to accommodate growing users.
Bottom Line
Digital transformation in healthcare can improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Organisations must use digital health services to incorporate technological advancements into their processes and rethink how they deliver healthcare.
Businesses can deliver personalised care, enhance disease prevention, accelerate medical research, and more with digital health solutions. These solutions can also help healthcare organisations understand the new challenges in the industry and transform care delivery.
If you are all set to revolutionise your healthcare services, we invite you to learn more about Tata Elxsi’s suite of digital health solutions.