DIGITAL HEALTH - IT'S A PEOPLE, PROCESS, AND TECHNOLOGY THING Digitalization of healthcare systems is already underway, and that’s a good thing, as it is going to strengthen health systems, ultimately improving people’s access to quality care. What is often not mentioned when discussing digital health is that implementing these solutions is more than just a “plug and play” approach. To reap the full benefit, you need to collaborate and evaluate how it fits into other processes. Below, are collected thoughts, based on recent conversations with healthcare leaders and input from industry colleagues, on how we get Digital Health right at every stage of implementation: Before: ● Reimagine what Digital Health can do for your business. How can a digital approach help you achieve more? Understand what Digital Health can do and importantly, how it will fit and function within your business. ● Don’t plan in isolation. Build trust with key stakeholders to gain buy-in (for example, staff, health professionals, and patients/consumers). Technology will change health services for the better, but you need to take people on the journey. ● Complete a Digital Health landscape assessment. Identify technology needs and make sure they align with business strategy. ● Develop a culture of digital understanding. Being able to embrace new ideas begins with an agile mindset. Be prepared to take risks, challenge norms and be open-minded to trying something different. During: ● Don’t keep Digital Health in a silo. Digital Health is an enabler and can help finish the jigsaw. It should ideally sit within the system. ● Understand your technology value chain. Does it require integration with existing systems? Can you do that, or are other changes required? It might be harder to plug in something new than you think. ● Embrace change management. Healthcare is complex and variable, with many stakeholders. Implementation will NOT be easy. ● Implement in stages. Don’t make the implementation a tiresome journey. Consider stages to gain momentum and buy-in with understanding. Ongoing: ● Remember the data (see my post last week). Understand the data the specific Digital Health solution will collect and identify how it can be leveraged. ● Keep an eye on regulations. Understanding compliance is essential as Digital Health will often run ahead of regulation. What is allowed in country A may not be allowed in B. ● Establish long-term support. Know your Digital Health partner well to ensure they have the bandwidth to provide the necessary implementation, training, and service support. ● Understand the charging consequences of use. Insurers may be slower to recognize the use of a specific Digital Health solution. Successful implementation really does require people, processes, and technology perspectives. Above all, what problem are you trying to solve with Digital Health? Own the problem to be solved, and don’t let technology dictate what the problem is.
We’ll said!
Well said Charles!
That is exactly what we at Conéctate Soluciones y Aplicaciones advocate for interoperability&security, everything else just follows. Don't misunderstand me, it takes a great deal of effort, hard work and goodwill. Still up for a partnership with the IFC, Charles.
Thoughtful! Let's put Purpose as a glue to People-Process-Technology thing.
Completely agree!! It is about people, processes and technologies.
Great points Charles Dalton
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We found the stages you put together very intuitive. The future of healthcare is digital, and we're here to help make it happen. From wearables that keep track of patient vitals or an app for managing chronic illness--our solutions will be there every step along the way so patients can live their best life possible no matter what condition they suffer from! #patientcare