His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, toured the 49th edition of Arab Health yesterday. During the tour, His Highness said that a comprehensive medical system and collaboration between local and federal government entities in the UAE and the private sector have ensured that citizens and residents alike enjoy access to the best healthcare services.
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The next generation of laboratories, fuelled by the convergence of breakthroughs in bioscience and computing power, is an evolving phenomenon that will enhance medical discovery, research, and development soon. In the dynamic landscape of scientific research and healthcare, lab professionals are pivotal in advancing various disciplines, from biology and chemistry to diagnostics and beyond.
Automation is at the heart of this evolution, bringing with it a promise of efficiency as well as easing the burden of burnout and the Great Resignation. This focus area is expected to reach a market value of about US$5.7 billion by 2030, according to MarketResearch.com, marking a CAGR growth of 5.9 per cent from US$3.6 billion in 2022.
But just as the demands of the field have evolved and diversified, specialists are often under pressure to stay abreast of trends and drive innovation within laboratory settings. This requires adopting a strategic approach that combines technical proficiency, continuous learning, and professional development.
Related: Entering New Markets: The UAE Laboratory Services Market
Bringing solutions to the forefront while addressing some of the pressing challenges that plague the sector, Medlab Middle East returns with a wholesome new edition at the World Trade Centre from February 5 to 8. This year promises an even bigger format with 12 CME conferences led by over 130 regional and international speakers, each bringing exciting strategies and valuable titbits of case studies to nurture a community of informed and future-ready industry professionals.
Attendees will gain access to intensive and interactive courses that span across laboratory management, laboratory quality management, clinical chemistry, immunology, haematology, clinical microbiology, blood transfusion medicine, histopathology, future of lab and sustainability in the lab. What sets the latest edition of Medlab Middle East apart this time is the introduction of two new conference tracks — NextGen Medicine and Clinical Genomic Interpretation. Each subject signifies the ever-changing laboratory environment. Space is the new frontier and scientific working areas are gearing up to transition into smart hubs. This involves the integration of functional design with digital twin technology, automation, and cloud technology.
Related: POCUS education to boost bedside clinical care in Middle East and Asia
From AI-driven organ analysis for transplants to data governance, the NextGen Medicine conference is set to dive in the new age of precision medicine between February 5 and 6. The track will also feature exclusive sessions with renowned leaders in the region, including Dr. Aaron Han from the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai. On the other hand, the Clinical Genomic Interpretation, which takes place on February 7, is aimed to enhance collaboration, and standardise processes in focus areas such as genomic testing for diagnosis and accurate data interpretation. With Dr. Ali Hajeer, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University in Ras Al Khaimah, as the scientific chair, and experts from the US, Germany and Saudi Arabia, each session is carefully curated to position genomics as an important tool for disease management.
During the four-day Congress, attendees can also enjoy exclusive networking opportunities, share knowledge, establish partnerships, discover the latest in innovation and research, as well as gain inspiration from state-of-the-art technology and equipment to build and secure a sustainable laboratory of the future.
Medlab Middle East 2024Date: February 5 to 8 |
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, opened the 49th edition of Arab Health yesterday. Speaking on the occasion of the event’s inauguration, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum said that under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the healthcare sector of Dubai is set to further consolidate its benchmarks of excellence by providing best-in-class infrastructure, deploying the latest technologies, and attracting skilled talent.
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Arab Health 2024 returns this year with a new power-packed edition to serve as an international meeting point for healthcare leaders, innovators, and visionaries alike. The event brings industry professionals together on a common platform to exchange knowledge, inspire with tried-and-tested solutions, and drive positive change that would ultimately create a strong, sustainable environment in the healthcare industry. Download the day 1 show daily to read all about the latest news right from the show floor.
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With exceptional expertise in precision medicine, digital health, and medical devices, Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector has progressed remarkably in recent years. The region’s economic development agency, Invest Northern Ireland, has maintained a presence in the UAE, covering the India, Middle East and Africa region for over 28 years. We continue to play an important role in strengthening Northern Ireland’s links, collaboration, and partnerships with key stakeholders in the Middle East and particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Innovation has remained at the core of Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences ecosystem, with a legacy dating back to the development of the world’s first portable defibrillator in 1965. Today, the sector continues to thrive, with Northern Irish expertise reshaping the future of healthcare. For instance, our excellence in precision medicine and next-generation data analytics supports ground-breaking clinical trials and the development of rapid molecular diagnostic tests. Our world-class universities are making significant strides in researching the effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cystic fibrosis.
Related: Northern Ireland offers dynamic solutions to meet Middle East’s healthcare requirements
The Life and Health Sciences sector is worth £1.9 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy and has a thriving cluster of over 250 companies, exporting to over 145 countries. It consists of a mix of local indigenous firms, start-ups, university spinouts, and international investors who have chosen Northern Ireland as their preferred location.
Northern Ireland’s unique positioning allows businesses to trade freely with Great Britain and the European Union, offering tariff-free access to two of the world’s largest markets. This strategic advantage, coupled with a combination of talent, cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, product quality, and intellectual property protection, makes Northern Ireland a key global player in addressing healthcare challenges with innovative solutions.
Northern Ireland boasts two globally recognised universities, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast, along with 17 research centres and over a thousand skilled researchers. This close integration of academic research, clinical practice and technological expertise enables scientific research to be directly linked to clinical outcomes, thereby helping companies in Northern Ireland accelerate their development efforts and achieve success ahead of their competitors. Both universities have made significant contributions to bioscience research in the UK, earning global recognition and serving as incubators for fresh ideas and innovative spinoff ventures.
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a thriving city known for its entrepreneurship and innovation. It has been consistently recognised as one of the fastest-growing tech cities in the UK and a hub of fresh ideas and spinouts. This includes companies making a name for themselves in the MedTech industry, particularly in diagnostics, data integration, digital health, wearables, and advanced pharmaceutical delivery systems.
Northern Ireland is a hub for cutting-edge medical technologies such as neonatal ventilation equipment and non-invasive neuro-stimulation products produced by companies such as Armstrong Medical and Neurovalens.
Armstrong Medical, part of Eakin Group, is a medical device company who have a portfolio of high-quality innovative respiratory disposables for anaesthesia and critical care, exporting their products to over 60 countries.
Neurovalens is an award-winning healthtech company that innovatively combines neuroscience and technology to address global health issues like obesity, insomnia, and anxiety. The company recently obtained FDA clearance for their Modius Sleep device, a non-invasive treatment for chronic insomnia.
The region’s innovation potential is further enhanced by its AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and software development strengths.
Cirdan is a leader in informatics software and imaging solutions and that speeds up the diagnosis of patients, particularly in pathology. Sonrai Analytics is a pioneer within the precision medicine sector, utilising cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to integrate large-scale multi-omic data types and help generate significant insights and hypotheses, leading to the discovery of novel therapies and biomarkers.
Other examples of cutting-edge Northern Irish expertise include Axial3D, which creates patient-specific 3D human anatomy models, revolutionising medical planning and surgical procedures globally as well as Eolas Medical’s mobile platform solution, which helps healthcare delivery organisations access clinical guidelines, education resources, and team communication. CIGA Healthcare and Biopanda Reagents are top suppliers of over-the-counter and professional diagnostics as well as in vitro test kits, and supply to key government and private establishments across the Middle East.
Related: Northern Ireland offers dynamic solutions to African healthcare sector
With its rich resources and extensive network of partnerships, Northern Ireland is well-positioned to drive innovation and growth in the Life and Health Sciences sector in the Middle East and beyond. The £1.3 billion Northern Ireland government investment in the life and health sciences will revolutionise the healthcare industry, creating new business opportunities and paving the way for cutting-edge technologies, products, and services. It will transform Northern Ireland into a global leader in this field, inspiring a thriving community committed to driving healthcare innovation.
Fahd Asif is the Senior Business Development Manager, Invest Northern Ireland.
Sustainability in the context of healthcare means organising patient care, surgeries, medical dispensation and allied fields of diagnostics and research in a manner that does not compromise the resources of Mother Earth that truly belong to our future generations.
We need to change the paradigm with innovations because we must understand that healthcare is a service and resource-intensive behemoth that requires an incredible usage of land, human capital, energy, and natural resources. To give an example, it is estimated that the healthcare sectors of the United States, Australia, the UK, and Canada together emit 748 million metric tonnes of Green House Gases (GHGs) annually, and if each of these sectors were nations, they would rank the seventh highest in the world for GHG emissions. This is just one aspect of the epic waste and conservation story.
From radiation emission in diagnostic machines, electrical energy consumption, the generation of organic and inorganic wastage, fossil fuel consumption and several other factors involved in the mammoth supply chain network of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, the healthcare sector is an energy and resource-guzzling entity where sustainability seems only a small word to counter it all.
However, those who care about Mother Earth and the economic and environmental impact have been working behind the scenes in the last two decades to create a counter-story. The world has seen the invention, discovery, and application of many innovative healthcare advancements that are helping to reduce its economic, environmental and carbon footprint.
Some of the most notable innovations already in use are the extensive application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that not only plays a pre-emptive role in predictive and preventive medicine but also streamlines other variables such as bed management, electronic medical records, organising surgeries and dispensing medicines efficiently. In the last few years, the introduction of nanomedicine, which focuses on the supramolecules to provide more efficacious treatment of diseases, has been a harbinger of good news on the treatment front.
One of the most efficient innovations that has played a role in increasing remote patient consultation is telemedicine. This has been made possible by harnessing the power of virtual reality and the Internet of Things (IoT). These have also helped augment robotic surgeries, enabling skilled surgeons to conduct surgeries remotely. Added to this is 3D printing, which has automated the production of medicines, prostheses, and implants with great precision and at an incredible pace, thereby reducing the cost and energy required in mass production.
Additionally, the completion of the human genome mapping has helped healthcare gain insights into the origin and evolution of hereditary diseases. With the application of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing technology, we now could potentially transform the treatment of killer diseases like cancer and other inherited conditions. This will help healthcare reduce the global burden of disease expenditure progressively.
On the clean energy front, many hospitals are now actively harnessing tapping into solar and wind power and using biofuel that has helped reduce carbon emissions. All of the innovations mentioned above are a few that have revolutionised healthcare. And this is only the tip of the iceberg as innovations continue in real-time.
As the world continues to shrink to a compact global village, we must concede that healthcare transcends geographical borders, and we must strive to create a counter-narrative in conservation and reduction of emissions in this sector. Healthcare is mainly made of dedicated warriors who save and conserve humanity, and we cannot afford to have the saviours turn to tormentors. Therefore, sustainability begins from here. Learning to scale the healthcare model to accommodate and fit humanity while decreasing wastage and emission is the only way forward. Let us all join hands and put together our minds to defeat the greatest challenge of our times – save health and lives but also conserve the resources and the planet.
References available on request.
Dr. Azad Moopen is the Founder Chairman & Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, home to seven of the world’s 10 most populous countries, is emerging as a key market for global medical device companies. This shift is underscored by the potential that the APAC region holds, reflecting a diverse population and a healthcare market projected to outpace the US and Europe. These insights, drawn from a recent report by KMPG titled “The Changing Landscape of the Medical Devices Industry in the APAC Region”, highlight key trends reshaping the industry.
Within the growing demand for healthcare services, medical devices play a pivotal role. The APAC region witnessed robust growth in demand for medical devices, surpassing Europe to become the second-largest market globally. Rising income levels, swelling private sector investment, and government incentives contribute to the sector’s strong growth trajectory.
To fully grasp the opportunities in this dynamic market, companies are focusing on establishing comprehensive and efficient distribution networks. Each player in the value chain, from manufacturers to distributors, plays a vital role in ensuring the seamless functioning of the system from a regulatory and market standpoint. The region’s diverse landscape requires companies to analyse countries across the spectrum. This includes mature markets like Japan and Australia, countries with a growing population such as China and India, and emerging markets like Malaysia and Thailand. Understanding the nuances of each country’s value chain and regulations is crucial for international companies aiming to establish a network in the APAC region.
By 2023, China and Japan were estimated to continue leading Asia-Pacific in terms of GDP. Other markets in the region are also expected to see a significant uplift in real GDP growth, outpacing larger markets. India, Thailand, and Malaysia are poised to lead this growth trend.
Despite global economic challenges, the APAC region remains a stronghold of growth, accounting for over 62 per cent of global GDP growth back in 2018. India and China, the region’s largest emerging economies, are projected to witness strong GDP growth rates. India’s real GDP is forecast to register a growth rate of 7.4 per cent in 2023, primarily driven by positive labour market conditions. China was projected to witness a growth rate of 5.6 per cent in real GDP in 2023, fuelled by government initiatives stimulating domestic consumption and infrastructure development.
The APAC region presents an evolving landscape for medical device companies. As the industry adapts to diverse markets and regulatory frameworks, the focus on innovation, quality, and a nuanced understanding of each country’s unique requirements will be critical. Navigating these opportunities requires a strategic approach and a commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape in APAC.
Furthermore, the region is a prime location for manufacturing and sourcing for global medical companies. The growth is further accentuated by rapid technological advancements and the recognition that these products create value for patients and value-focused healthcare systems. Market players, both domestic and international, are growing their investments towards innovation in the industry.
This comprehensive exploration of APAC’s medical devices landscape underscores the sector’s pivotal role in the region’s healthcare growth, necessitating a strategic and adaptive approach by industry players. The emphasis on tailoring products to specific genetic populations and the intersection of quality and affordability are vital considerations in a landscape where innovation and nuanced understanding are key to unlocking the vast potential of the APAC region.
Sustainability is a long-term change that will impact the industry, according to the Frost and Sullivan report titled, “Asia-Pacific (APAC) Medical Devices Industry Outlook 2023”. Despite lagging behind their global counterparts in sustainability efforts, APAC medtech players are on track to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, with some aiming for carbon neutrality by 2025 or 2027.
The ongoing digitalisation of medical devices is a trend that will continue, as original equipment manufacturers will digitalise their devices and operations. This digital shift not only compels medtech participants to enhance the value proposition for healthcare providers and patients with digital data but also fosters the emergence of novel business models and disruptive technologies.
As APAC transitions from traditional approaches to healthcare innovation, a broad coalition of healthcare stakeholders is involved. This enables the exploration of innovative methodologies that combine diagnostics, medical devices, digital tools, emerging technologies, and pharmaceuticals. Opportunities will emerge as a result of increased inclusion of underserved patient populations, robotics adoption, and the transition of care from hospitals to home-based models.
The overarching goal is to orchestrate a comprehensive approach that optimises patient outcomes and elevates the standards of healthcare innovation in the APAC landscape.
What is in store for healthcare in the year ahead?’ is an inevitable question industry professionals ask each passing year because striking a balance between staying abreast of trends while staying relevant to one’s audience can be daunting. The year 2023 alone saw progress in various segments — from AI-assisted drug delivery and clinical automation to the implementation of augmented and virtual reality for training purposes. Circling back to artificial intelligence, this has seen substantial growth with various sectors adopting the technology into their business models to fuel efficiency and cost-savings and ease the burden on healthcare professionals.
The uptake of these models brings along a new set of concerns in AI ethics, and this year, we are expected to see regulators increase scrutiny over data access and privacy alongside investors pushing for sustainable operations. However, despite this novel buzz, the market value and growth of digital health solutions are expected to remain unaffected.
A recent Morgan Stanley Research survey, part of the What’s NEXT – How AI/ML Could Reshape Healthcare report, said that 94 per cent of healthcare companies employ artificial intelligence or machine learning to some extent and that the industry’s average estimated budget dedicated to these technologies is projected to grow to 10.5 per cent in 2024, compared to 5.7 per cent in 2022. Furthermore, health diagnostics, clinical trials, and drug discovery are some of the areas in which AI has flourished.
Related: Technology shift that is transforming healthcare practice
Climate change is another area of focus that is gaining prominence, further led by the recent COP28 in the UAE that sparked conversations around the environmental impact of healthcare systems. A study by EuroNews dubbed the global healthcare industry as the fifth-largest greenhouse gas emitter if it were a country, while the World Economic Forum recently highlighted that the industry is responsible for 4.4 per cent of global emissions. These alarming facts are making organisations reevaluate existing practices and seek practical solutions.
But where does one begin? There are plenty of promising online platforms that claim to have the latest information and statistics to help develop a future-ready healthcare business. While these digital means offer knowledge and convenience, the experience of meeting experts in person, attending special seminars, and viewing real-life case studies hold greater value for professionals in the healthcare industry.
Catering to this demand, Arab Health 2024 returns this year with a new power-packed edition to serve as an international meeting point for healthcare leaders, innovators and visionaries alike. Arab Health, which takes place between January 29 and February 1 with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention as an exclusive healthcare leadership partner, brings industry professionals together on a common platform to exchange knowledge, inspire with tried-and-tested solutions, and drive positive change that would ultimately create a strong, sustainable environment in the healthcare industry.
This year, Arab Health brings forth eight CME conference tracks at the Dubai World Trade Centre, namely Total Radiology, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Obs&Gyn, Public Health, Quality Management, Orthopaedics and Diabetes. An additional two tracks — CSSD and Infection Control — are being hosted at the Fairmont Dubai.
Each conference is curated to help healthcare professionals explore valuable learning opportunities in an interactive space. Here it also seeks to nurture collaborations within the healthcare sector and offer solutions for sustainable delivery of care. From enabling best practices in radiology to advance patient care via innovation and collaboration in the presence of international societies, namely Japan Radiology Society (JRS), Radiological Society of Saudi Arabia (RSSA), Pan Arab Association of Radiological Societies (PAARS) and the European Society of Cardiac Radiology (ESCR), to securing healthcare quality through digitalisation led by a scientific committee composed of renowned industry leaders, this year’s show is an unmissable event for all those seeking to be at the forefront of their career.
Related: Moving radiology into the age of artificial intelligence
With a long-running legacy as one of the top progressive events of its kind in Dubai, Arab Health continues to build on its successful track record by diversifying its show portfolio with immersive segments. Returning for the second edition, the Future Health Summit is an exclusive part of the event that welcomes movers and shakers of the healthcare sector, notably senior government officials and CEOs, to gather around and unlock revolutionary concepts for generations to come. The theme, “Reverse ageing and longevity”, will look at business, finance and ethics of extending lives with science and technology.
Special zones have also been established this year to pave the way forward. At the Smart Hospital and Interoperability Zone, attendees can view seamless interoperability in action in the Healthcare Transformation sector. The zone is an interactive area featuring an operating room, intensive care unit and emergency room complete with live demonstrations that showcase a variety of use cases to inspire visitors.
Arab Health is synonymous with progressive change, and this year, the show sees the return of a segment as well as the introduction of a new one — each aimed to aid the entrepreneurship community advance in their focus areas. The Innov8 competition is an exciting platform where participants will pitch their projects against each other in an attempt to take home the grand title, funds to continue to fuel their vision and receive mentoring opportunities. Taking it a step further, the event will host the first-ever edition of Cre8 aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among UAE-based youth. Students are given an imaginary budget and encouraged to present strategies for real-world problems in healthcare and how they would implement solutions.
In addition, the show will feature thousands of regional and international exhibitors complete with state-of-the-art devices and solutions to enhance healthcare as we know it.
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French healthcare specialists are all set to participate in Arab Health, the major trade show for the medical sector in the region. Anticipating thousands of global attendees, the highly anticipated health exhibition in the Middle East promises an unparalleled gathering.
This year, Business France is supporting a French delegation comprising 87 companies across the France pavilions in Za’abeel Hall 2, which is hosting companies specialising in the medical equipment and device sector; Sheikh Rashid Hall, which accommodates companies focused on orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation and Sheikh Saeed Hall 1, which caters to companies specialising in the Imaging and Diagnostics sector.
In 2021, the French medtech market saw continued growth, mirroring the substantial need for cutting-edge medical solutions. Within the same period, France’s medical market claimed 14.7 per cent of the European market share, securing its spot as the second-largest market, trailing only behind Germany. Renowned for their prowess in various domains, including medical devices, diagnostic equipment, medical imaging technologies, and healthcare IT solutions, French companies remain distinguished. France’s stature as a European frontrunner, buoyed by a robust health infrastructure, was further reinforced.
On October 12, 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron succinctly articulated France’s medical vision: “France must lead in envisioning and manufacturing the medical devices of the future. It’s imperative for us to rank among the foremost in the healthcare sector.”
The ambitious France 2030 and Health Innovation 2030 initiatives set the goal of positioning France as the premier innovator in European healthcare. With the European medical technology market valued at approximately €140 billion in 2020, France aims to spearhead the health sector.
The France 2030 strategy is crystal clear: to elevate the French healthcare industry’s global prominence. This initiative allocates €7.5 billion over three to five years, with a specific €400 million fund earmarked solely for MedTech. In 2021, this market boasted a turnover of €30.7 billion, with exports accounting for €10 billion. International companies make up a quarter of the firms in France, contributing two-thirds of the sector’s turnover, while over 85 per cent of the sector’s companies hail from French or European origins.
Incorporating digital technology into established medical devices stands as a significant innovation. As per a recent survey, nearly 42 per cent of the surveyed companies have either already integrated connected medical devices or are presently engaged in developing digital solutions. This integration of digital technology into medical devices holds immense potential for enhancing healthcare efficiency.
The relationship between France and the UAE in the healthcare sector is characterised by a growing collaboration, illustrating a strategic partnership in the medical field. As an economic and technological hub in the Gulf region, the UAE offers significant opportunities for French healthcare companies.
The UAE has developed state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure and actively seeks to develop its medical services. French companies are committed to providing innovative technologies, high-quality medical equipment, and healthcare management solutions.
Axel Baroux, French Trade and Investment Commissioner stated: “Witnessing the dynamic collaboration between France and the UAE in shaping the future of healthcare, the UAE is a strategic partner for France, encouraging mutual innovation and collaboration. Together, we contribute to the progress of healthcare, ensuring a healthier and brighter future for both nations.”
French Healthcare is an innovative public-private initiative aimed at bringing together players in the French healthcare ecosystem (businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals, public players, etc.) so that they can jointly promote their activities, know-how and technologies internationally. It contributes to promoting the French vision for global health, based on a humanist approach to care and fair and equitable access to health products and services.
Business France, the national agency that supports the international development of the French economy, in partnership with the French Healthcare association and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is responsible for promoting the brand, which aims to co-ordinate a collective approach to stimulate international co-operation and promote France’s strengths.
Choose France is a registered trademark of the French government that promotes France’s economic appeal internationally.
Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France’s companies, business image, and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and it also runs the VIE international internship program.
Business France has 1,500 employees in France and 55 other countries. It relies on a network of public and private partners. Since January 2019, under the reform of the public export support system, Business France has provided French SME and mid-cap support to private partners in the following markets: Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Norway, Philippines and Singapore.
For more information, visit: www.businessfrance.fr
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The healthcare industry is facing unprecedented shortages of medical professionals worldwide. In the US alone, more than 145,000 healthcare providers left their profession by the end of 2022. Experts warn that the situation will get worse if healthcare workers’ major concerns aren’t addressed.
According to McKinsey and Definitive Healthcare reports, one of the possible solutions for overcoming this crisis is to implement virtual hospitals and provide some or all healthcare services online. In this article, we’ll explore the main contributors to skilled medical staff shortages and how to address them with virtual patient care.
The world population is ageing and isn’t becoming healthier, so the number of people who require medical attention regularly is higher than ever. Many healthcare providers had been already feeling the pressure of increasing demand for their services for a while, but after the recent health crisis, their burnout reached the breaking point.
Now, as the new wave of COVID is sweeping the US, medical workers are not ready to go through the influx of hospitalisations again. Additionally, a large portion of healthcare professionals are nearing retirement but are quitting earlier because they fear for their health. This leads to a situation where medical personnel in training don’t have enough skilled colleagues to consult with.
Naturally, the government, regulators, and healthcare organisations have to join forces to improve medical staff’s compensation and better motivate people to join the profession. However, some of the healthcare professionals' day-to-day challenges can be mitigated with technological advancements. For example, both clinicians and nurses admit that they would benefit from more flexibility in their schedule, an option to work remotely, and the ability to hold consultations with other knowledgeable specialists more often. Virtual hospitals can help achieve all that.
Related: Six predictions that will impact healthcare in 2024
A virtual hospital is a comprehensive platform equipped with telemedicine capabilities, remote patient monitoring solutions, and a patient portal. It is integrated with electronic health record systems and other healthcare software.
Virtual hospitals function just like traditional hospitals, where medical specialists diagnose and treat patients, order tests, and prescribe treatments to patients, as well as refer them to other specialists. The only difference is that all of these activities are done online.
Many health conditions can be monitored remotely by medical devices and managed by patients themselves with the help of a medical practitioner. Virtual hospitals are integrated with remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions that receive patient data from specialised devices to further store, process, or display it. Thanks to such solutions, healthcare specialists can view changes to the patient's blood pressure, oxygenation, glucose levels, and temperature in real time and provide treatment recommendations remotely. This way, virtual hospitals significantly reduce the number of patients attending medical practitioners’ offices or get admitted for treatment.
Moreover, by using a virtual hospital’s digital communication tools like chat rooms, medical chatbots, or secure emergency video calls, patients can timely get valuable medical advice from healthcare professionals. Easy access to medical advice ensures that patients won’t exacerbate, which decreases the number of unplanned hospital visitors.
A decrease in urgent cases lets hospital personnel have a more balanced and predictable schedule. Overall reduction in hospital admissions and readmissions decreases doctors’ and nurses’ overall workload, so they get more time to rest and focus on the patients who require in-person care.
Thanks to virtual hospitals, medical professionals can consult their patients and cooperate with their colleagues from anywhere. Having more time away from medical facilities benefits healthcare workers’ work-life balance and decreases the risk of burnout. This is confirmed by FlexJobs’ 2023 Work Insights Survey, which states that 96 per cent of surveyed professionals consider remote or hybrid work a much better option for their mental health. Since burnout is among the top reasons for medical staff shortages, alleviating it is crucial for overcoming the problem.
Healthcare specialists are also more willing to offer consultations and advice to their colleagues from distant medical facilities when they don’t have to travel. This way, virtual hospitals support the collaboration between experienced medical professionals, which leads to more precise diagnoses and better quality of care. Additionally, knowledge sharing between medical personnel helps new specialists acquire skills faster and close more gaps in healthcare.
Healthcare professionals who can be categorised as high risk for contracting COVID or influenza often quit out of fear for their health or the health of their family. However, remote communication with patients and colleagues is a much safer option and can be a great way to retain medical professionals whose mental and physical health is threatened by infectious diseases.
Another issue that medical providers face is abuse and harassment at the workplace, either from patients or from other staff members. In virtual hospitals, all audio, video, and written interactions between medical professionals and patients are recorded and can later be used to support a harassment claim This way, automatic interaction documentation safeguards remote healthcare workers against patients’ or colleagues’ inappropriate behaviour.
Related: Does AI have the emotional intelligence to supplement mental healthcare?
Now is the time when the healthcare industry should be transformed to supply the growing number of patients with quality care. Medical personnel need better working conditions, appropriate compensation, and recognition for their work, or else more and more patients will be denied medical help due to staff shortages.
Virtual hospitals modernise healthcare delivery while making it more comfortable for both doctors and patients. Naturally, this technology can’t fully solve the medical staffing problem, but it still plays a huge part in improving healthcare professionals’ job satisfaction. Doctors and nurses who can work remotely at a virtual hospital feel safer, are more motivated to cooperate with their peers, and can establish a proper work-life balance. Therefore, they are much more likely to stay in the profession and continue improving their skills, providing great patient care.
Mariia Kovalova, a Healthcare Technology Researcher at Itransition, a custom software development company headquartered in the US.
