The potential of digitalisation in health and health tourism

In what has been described as the “fourth industrial revolution”, digitalised health has experienced increased investment over the last few years and is reshaping the health industry of the future.

This phenomenal digital transformation that healthcare systems, hospitals and countries are going through can largely be attributed to the explosion of the Internet of Things, an ICT system of interconnected data assessment devices. This system uses artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions and vast amounts of data to re-create healthcare.

Challenges in Healthcare, including the availability of and access to medical records and quality health services, have led to the extraordinary development of innovative solutions and “smart” health systems to facilitate the operation of healthcare. ‍

The health tourism industry is also entering a new era.. Consumers demand engagement through digital tools. These tools in healthcare have several primary objectives such as improving communication and engagement between the healthcare provider and the patient, ensuring easy access to transparent information, making an informed decision and obtaining safe treatment. Also, digital tools support the rehabilitation process when the patient returns home after completing a medical intervention. The evolution of digital health continues to implement the transparency needed in the health industry.

From patient take-over to coordination of treatment and post-operative care, digital health becomes a driving force to build trust between the patient and the service provider.

Advantages of digitalisation in health care and health tourism

1. Market scalability – digital health can improve market scalability by improving the ability of healthcare providers to grow and manage increased patient demand.
2. Cost reduction – Fast-developing digital tools can improve the operational efficiency of a hospital/medical centre resulting in cost reductions.
3. Process transparency – Digital tools ensure the transparency of the process, as patients know exactly how they will be treated, who will treat them and what they have to pay for.
4. Branding – the consistent provision of digital health services will ensure long-term gains such as brand awareness and loyalty, gradually resulting in branding.
5. User education – Statistics reveal that people are more inclined to use digital tools for health self-education. Healthcare providers can therefore genuinely benefit from providing easy digital access to vital information.
6. A long-term relationship of trust – with digital health, service providers can give patients the power to compare prices, quality and benefits. This builds trust and paves the way for a long-term relationship between the service provider and the patient.
7. Consumer-centric solutions – Digital health will give providers access to full details of a patient’s medical history, what they are looking for and at what price. On this basis, they can design consumer-centric solutions.

Potentials of digital transformation of health tourism

The digital transformation of healthcare will set a new pace for health tourism. The areas for the application of digital tools and processes are numerous. Some of them are:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Good CRM solutions enable healthcare providers to engage patients throughout their healthcare journey by increasing their acquisition and retention.

Knowledge management – Good knowledge management practices on authoritative content, diseases, symptoms and treatments have beneficial results including increased use of information, efficiency and ability to innovate faster and better.

Patient communities – With the rapid change in the way patients interact with the healthcare community, online patient communities are also changing dramatically. Healthcare providers must constantly update relevant information and educate patients as they manage online patient communities.

Communications – Providers should place more emphasis on different communication media such as online chat, SMS, messengers, email, video, phone, etc. In order to further boost digital health, real-time online communication can play a major role in attracting and retaining patients. For example, online chat can take communication between the patient and the service provider to another level.

Process automation – Process automation or process digitalisation can simplify processes and improve healthcare operations. It successfully enables healthcare professionals to switch from error-prone manual work and long-term work to machine work. This improves the quality of the healthcare offered, ultimately leading to the acquisition of patients.

Data analytics– The use of data analytics tools can significantly improve patient care. It helps you analyse the data available to determine which practices are more effective to save costs and improve patients' health.

the EDIH Adria Consortium brings together experts in the digital transformation of health systems, advanced communication tools based on new technologies as well as the strengthening of the digital user experience management system. Apply for cooperation with the EDIH Adria project and embark on the process of digital transformation of health and health tourism without cost or risk.