Digital Ecosystems Are the Future of Health Care

They were joined by Dr. Tim M. Jaeger.

Everything we do now is done in digital form. Health care has been the only exception.

Patients suffer from the slow adoption of digital health technologies because of the large number of internet users. Health care providers can use data to improve how they deliver care. According to a Harvard Business Review–Analytic Services report, 95 percent of health care providers believe it is important to manage data across care settings.

Why does health care lag behind on digital?

One of the challenges is digital infrastructure Unless the data is connected, organized, and activated, health systems can't translate it into personalized, patient centered health care. Data needs to be integrated from different sources for meaningful insights.

Digital transformation can happen after a slow start. The adoption of digital health technologies has beencatalyzed by the struggles of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The path to tomorrow's health space was changed by the Pandemic. Rapid collaboration and medically actionable insights are now widely recognized.

It is clear that solutions will play a fundamental role in the advancement of personalized patient- or human-centered care. Virtual networks of health care innovation and technology providers that connect online and interact digitally are key for creating access to these breakthrough and creating value for everyone.

There is a need for aholistic mindset.

Digital innovations are used to integrate health science data. It isn't enough to connect health care data across incompatible devices. The challenge of turning disconnected data into medically actionable insights is faced by healthcare providers and payers everywhere.

A successful transformation starts with aholistic mindset that includes a network of innovative partners and a clear purpose. A platform is the robust, open digital infrastructures and services that allow an entire network of diverse players to share data more easily and securely.

It means connecting labs, hospitals, and diverse point-of-care settings, as well as enabling interactions with other health care groups and third-party innovators. Specialty teams need to continuously collaborate with healthcare players and technology companies around the world by using both on-premises and cloud-based technologies.

We need to approach this challenge from a health-science perspective and always with a view to support the entire patient journey, raising the standard of health care delivery and moving the center of care from a focus on disease to a focus on patients' needs.

Inventions can be imported from anywhere.

Health providers will be able to use external innovations for operational excellence and medical insights once a stable digital infrastructure is in place.

Virtual marketplaces can be used by health care providers to explore digital innovations from around the world. They have the ability to determine which digital settings and data needs are most appropriate for their settings.

There are good ideas around. It is important to link with a partner that takes an open approach to sharing innovative, science-based solutions.

There are digital evidence-based approaches.

Digital solutions are continually changing. Digital health is full of potential due to the proliferation of tools and players. Compliance with regulations on health, cybersecurity, and data privacy are necessary for credible digital solutions in health.

In order to deliver proven value to the health care community, a digital solution requires close and early collaboration among health care provider leaders around the world. We can respond to changes in what health care professionals and patients need, and demonstrate with robust evidence that solutions provide true utility, benefiting health care systems and impacting patient care.

Figuring out how to navigate the digital world.

Health care leaders need integrated, secure solutions that add medical insights and value to their health care operations to improve efficiency, save time or money, and improve patient care. Digital health solutions help connect data silos for better insights, drive operational excellence, and enable clinicians to make more confident care decisions.

Digital health can be unlocked if health care systems are patient-centered. Patients don't need to wait anymore. Digital ecosystems are the future of health care, empowering health leaders to use technology to improve care.

Dr. Tim M. Jaeger is the head of provider insights.