Digital Transformation of US Healthcare: Current State and Challenges
The digital transformation of the US healthcare industry is gaining some major momentum. Read on to explore the current state and the challenges it still must overcome.
The healthcare industry is being transformed with modern technologies. This convergence of Technology, Healthcare, and People is what is called Digital Healthcare. With an increase in digitalization and the internet of things, we are seeing an increase in healthcare organizations adopting digital technologies.
Examples of this transformation are that it has enabled patients to manage their chronic conditions from home. It has also propelled the use of Telehealth. Therefore, patients can have a visit with their doctor without having to visit their doctor’s clinic. These new innovative digital health services and products are now being offered through mobile apps and wearables. The new, innovative way of healthcare is on the rise. With the advancements in technology, increased parts of healthcare are being transformed through digital health.
Current State of Digital Health in the United States
The United States has been a leader in digital health adoption and innovation. The Unites States congress has passed many important Acts since 2009, which have provided incentives and a push for large numbers of medical providers adopting digital transformation.
The digital health industry in the United States has been growing at an exponential rate. The data show that the industry has an increasing trend, with an average growth rate of 18% over the past 5 years. But with any transformation; especially a healthcare transformation always come with some major challenges.
1) In the US, the digital health industry is still facing regulation and reimbursement challenges. The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) framework for mobile medical applications for reimbursement is in the initial stages and there are unknowns when it comes to reimbursement when healthcare services are provided from a mobile health app.
2) The digital health industry in the US is also facing advocacy challenges. There is currently no non-government organization or a coalition of medical and technology companies to ensure that digital healthcare industry’s voice is heard.
3) The lack of understanding among healthcare workers towards digital health. As digital health products and services usually come with new and better ways of doing things, there seems to be a learning curve when it comes to adaptation of digital health tech for physicians and nurses.
4) High costs to access digital products and services. The way it works right now, to use digital health services, people must pay for expensive monthly subscriptions which most insurance companies are not ready to reimburse, which in turn is making it harder for lower income people to participate in this new way of healthcare due to budget constraints.
5) Privacy issues have always been a big challenge for healthcare and technology companies. With cases of hacking and data breaches becoming increasingly common, issues like privacy and data security will have to be resolved before medical information is stored or transferred across digital devices.
In Conclusion: A Well-Connected US Healthcare System
The integration of digital health into all aspects of the healthcare system has already begun, from personal wellness programs to medical records and patient engagement and in transforming healthcare practices. With that, the future of digital healthcare in the US looks bright. The market size for digital health is expected to reach $230 billion by 2020. This increase in revenue means more opportunities to provide care for patients and help them manage their health. It also means more opportunities for business professionals in this industry to find jobs.
Digital healthcare has the power to change the way we live and optimize the way we get healthcare. And the future is moving in the direction of well-connected digital healthcare.
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