Healthcare institutions have been tirelessly working to enhance their systems across the region, striving continuously to discover and innovate inventive ways to provide a safer, easier, and more fulfilling experience for patients. Ongoing collaborations between regional health authorities and organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) have helped drive education amongst the public on better self-care practices, while digital transformation has enabled the healthcare industry to augment direct-to-consumer communications, improve access to affordable healthcare, and expand the self-care movement in more challenging areas throughout the region.

As the digitalisation of the healthcare industry continues to present new opportunities for improved outcomes, there are a number of untapped opportunities which offer tremendous potential to completely revolutionise the patient care journey – particularly in the ongoing effort to expand access to affordable healthcare in more areas across the Middle East & Africa.

According to WHO, 4.3 billion people have inadequate access to essential facility-based health services, prompting regional healthcare decision-makers to call for self-care interventions that empower the region’s population to leverage readily available resources when on-site treatment is not an immediate solution. Relatively, self-care interventions consist of providing education, convenience and lower costs for the public, which empowers people to proactively take control of their general health to achieve better outcomes when they are well-informed about quality self-care and healthcare practices. These are essential tools that provide individuals, families, and communities with the ability to promote and maintain good health, prevent diseases, and overcome various challenges caused by illnesses and disabilities with the support of healthcare providers. As such, self-care is the first crucial step to improving access to a more cost-effective, efficient, and safer healthcare experiences for the greater public.

Another critical step to enhancing the healthcare journey is strengthening the bridge between healthcare providers and consumers through direct-to-consumer communication. For instance, the omnichannel approach to customer engagement can offer patients consistent access to self-care and healthcare information. These experiences include every interaction between an individual and their care provider, which include in-person communication through various digital channels. The latter consists of health apps, video calls, instructional videos, and social media engagement with medical institutions. Moreover, providing more self-service options can create a more personalised healthcare experience for consumers based on their preferences and needs.

Furthermore, offering self-service options can increase organisational efficiencies and reduce friction for patients. Service-related features such as mobile billing, online appointments, and virtual access to patient records can encourage individuals to take ownership of their own well-being at any given time and place. This also allows healthcare professionals to reduce the influx of minor medical cases and shift focus to more demanding or complex medical challenges and patient requests. A successful communication strategy can deliver up-to-date information, actionable insights, treatment recommendations, and more fruitful relationships between all stakeholders within the healthcare sector.

Alongside the overall quality of care provided and healthcare, experiences are the governance of the pricing of products, treatments, and other healthcare services for consumers. Healthcare price transparency can become comforting to consumers, allowing them to be better informed, involved, and prepared for future medical challenges. For example, consumers will be able to see and compare the varying prices for the same service across different healthcare facilities. Healthcare services can be expensive, confusing and involve decisions that can lead to longer-lasting consequences if not carefully approached. If consumers cannot properly research and compare costs that are made available by medical institutions, it can become a barrier to obtaining the information needed to make the right and most affordable decision. The more aware and knowledgeable an individual is, the better they can achieve a higher quality of life with a better bill of health.

To accomplish these goals, we must rely on our ability to utilise the information that we are fed. Raising awareness of self-care and healthcare, especially in underserved areas around the region, is as important as facilitating healthcare services. This helps both care providers and patients understand the circumstances around a given illness, injury, or disability and how to access affordable healthcare products and services for treatment. It takes a collective effort to cultivate the safest and healthiest environment that everyone deserves. By addressing and solving challenges together on multiple fronts and with the right healthcare practices and knowledge in place, creating stronger healthcare systems in the region will increasingly become a ‘sooner than later’ reality.

Mohamed Larbi Jelassi is the Market Access & Public Affairs Expert, Marketing & Management in Healthcare at Sanofi

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Mental health is a key factor in determining one’s overall health condition. Staying mentally healthy is essential for everyone and is a vital criterion for doctors. Very often we tend to think that doctors have it all together and need little to very less support.  

Related: The weight of men’s mental health

However, medical professionals are continually exposed to heavy workloads, traumatic conditions, erratic working hours, and challenging situations. Yet, seeking help for mental health might be the last thing most doctors have on their to-do lists.  

It does not take too long for medical professionals to feel burnt out in life. A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 showed a burnout rate of 4.3 to 55.3 per cent in the first post-graduate year of training, commonly known as the “intern” year. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a sense of decreased personal accomplishment were some of the common traits associated with students within the first year.  

Related: Mental health: an urgent priority for Africa

The American College of Emergency Physicians cited a recent article published in The Atlantic, revealing that 300 to 400 physicians die by suicide each year. The study also revealed that suicide rates were 250 to 400 per cent higher among female physicians when compared to females in other professions.  

Another study conducted by Medscape on Physician Suicide in 2022 revealed that 11 per cent of female doctors and nine per cent of male doctors have had suicidal thoughts. Besides, 64 per cent of doctors experienced colloquial depression.  

Dr. Shaju George, Specialist Psychiatrist at the Dubai Community Health Centre, said that doctors lead a very stressful lifestyle. Therefore, they are unaware or at times even ignorant of mental health issues.  

“Suicide rates are the highest among doctor groups- especially surgeons, psychiatrists, and critical care experts. Depression, anxiety disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and heart attack are also common- among physicians. However, seeking help is minimal,” said Dr. George.  

He added that awareness-building sessions among doctors could help bridge the gap and reduce the taboo and stigma associated with seeking help for mental health.  

Physicians are often looked upon as superheroes who seldom need any help. We look up to doctors to solve our woes, and often think they are strong and capable of anything. And this is just what makes it hard for doctors to realise they need help and take time away for their mental well-being.  

It is time to normalise physicians seeking mental help. But, how can this be achieved? Here are some ways healthcare providers could change the game for physicians that need mental help.  

Encourage a safe space for expression 

As doctors, it is natural to feel stressed or burnout. But, brushing aside the feeling and trying to keep it all together might not help always. Instead, it is best to speak up. Confide in a trusted colleague, friend, or a family member. Dr. George stressed that hospitals and clinics should initiate regular check-ins with their physicians. Wellness programmes can be made a part of hospitals so that doctors have immediate help on hand and do not have to shy away from seeking help.  

Evaluate workloads 

Physicians tend to take on more work and feel burnt out. As an immediate measure, healthcare employers should weigh the workload given to their professionals and set achievable goals. The conversation here must not be whether a physician can take stress or not, rather it must redefine workloads, and ensure doctors are not overburdened with responsibilities.  

“Hospitals should conduct regular surveys and screenings anonymously to understand what doctors go through. This would help them diagnose stress level and also analyse the severity”, Dr. George added. 

Maintain confidentiality  

Patients view physicians as healers or icons of good health. So, while mental health may be a topic that should be openly discussed, this may not be an ideal solution for a physician as it could affect their careers. Hospitals must ensure that utmost privacy is provided to protect those who seek help for mental health reasons.  

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In a single day healthcare professionals communicate with peers and patients from varying cultural, social, and educational platforms. Fourteen studies reviewed in the Oman Medical Journal highlighted that communication between patients and medical providers is at the heart of effective healthcare. 

Seven of the studies, however, examined the relationship between language barriers and patient satisfaction, as well as the effects of language barriers on healthcare provider and patient satisfaction, healthcare provider satisfaction, and the cost and quality of interpretation services, as well as online translation tools.  

Related: Why cognitive bias matters for healthcare communications

The results of studies highlighted incorrect diagnoses and treatments may be administered due to language differences between patient and doctors. In Norway, medical professionals claimed that between 36 per cent and 43 per cent of the patients who do not speak the native language had difficulty being understood, necessitating the need of interpreters. In fact, 37 per cent of doctors said they believed that patients withhold certain information due to language barriers. 

In addition, language issues made it difficult for South African nurses working in Saudi Arabia to communicate with patients, their families, and nurses from other nations. In another study titled ‘Nurse-patient/visitor communication in the emergency department’, a staggering 94.3 per cent of nurses said that being able to communicate with patients in their language was very important for their work environment.  

Delivery and tone in effective communication between patients and HCPs 

Related: How clinical communication and collaboration platforms can ease information overload – and deliver better patient outcomes

Ted Lapekas, a US-based accent and pronunciation specialist, commented on the importance of not only ensuring communication is clear and coherent but also establishing an appropriate tone. “Clear communication is essential for healthcare professionals. They are perceived as experts and their advice is followed by the patients they care for. If their patients do not accurately understand the advice, problems will ensue. Often, we as patients nod consent to what a doctor says even when we don’t fully understand him/her. 

Proper delivery is even more crucial than proper pronunciation. As native speakers we listen to the “music” of the language: the pauses and stressed words are more key to our understanding than the word’s pronunciation. Even if the speaker gets all the words correct but delivers it with unfamiliar “music” the native speaker will miss the correct meaning,” he explained. 

Research published in PMC by author Disa A. Sauter conveys that most of our emotional communication is done nonverbally through facial expressions, gaze, gesture, posture, and tone of voice. Verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication as well as empathy are known to have an important impact on the medical encounter. To correlate, the National Healthcare Communication Programme states that a patients' body language conveys a range of emotions, and ‘instead of taking the patient's spoken comments at face value’, being aware of their nonverbal signs may allow specialists to delve a little further.  

Importance of empathy and nonverbal communication   

Several other studies, such as ‘Effects of empathic and positive communication in healthcare consultations: a systematic review and meta-analysis’ also underlines that empathy and positive communication might also improve patient outcomes. In addition, the British Journal of General Practice emphasises that non-verbal communication is vital in interactions between doctors and patients and plays a significant role throughout the medical interview. Nonverbal communication aids in relationship development, provides hints to unsaid worries and feelings, and supports or contradicts our verbal comments. 

“As humans, we take in information with our five senses. To be believable, a message must be delivered with the proper facial expression, tone of voice, and in a way we can readily understand. The same message delivered incorrectly can be taken as a joke, or sarcasm, or as something not to be taken seriously,” said Lapekas when asked about how body language is as important as the vocabulary professionals use. 

According to Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review, language barriers are responsible for reducing the satisfaction of medical providers and patients, as well as the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety. Patient safety depends critically on communication between medical professionals, personnel, and patients. Through education and awareness, effective communication skills can be taught and strengthened. 

As we steer in the direction of improving patient safety and increasing patient satisfaction, enhancing communication will play a big role. 

Sudan is a country with a substantial array of healthcare talent, with several universities, medical faculties, and institutes focusing on healthcare education and qualifications. 

Across the GCC, healthcare is a key sector for growth. Most of the region’s economies are advanced but highly dependent on hydrocarbons, driving an urgent demand for diversification. Sectors including real estate, technology, and healthcare are areas Gulf governments are focused on further developing and advancing. 

The healthcare sector has grown substantially in the GCC over the last few years and is set to continue its growth trajectory in coming years.  

The UAE, for example, has recently become the first country to create a framework specifically aimed at the rapid and efficient registration of novel pharmaceuticals to aid in its economic development in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Currently, pharmaceutical production in the GCC is a US$8 billion industry and is set to grow to US$10 billion in the next few years. 

In Saudi Arabia, healthcare is one of the main pillars of the economic diversification plans of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme of 2020. In the Kingdom, there are strategies and initiatives in place to enhance the quality of care and improve healthcare infrastructure and facilities.  

In 2019, it was predicted the private healthcare industry would grow from 30 per cent to 65 per cent by 2030, because of increased availability of improved healthcare facilities in the kingdom.  

Further investment in digital healthcare solutions, infrastructure, medical consumables and implants will position Saudi Arabia as a global medical hub, as the kingdom focuses on advancing healthcare innovations and technologies.  

Attracting top talent  

The GCC attracts healthcare professionals from across the globe and is known for its highly qualified healthcare talent.  

The UAE has recently introduced a “Golden Visa” scheme, which allows for easier immigration for healthcare professionals, among other sought-after talent. This scheme allows skilled and applicable individuals to receive a five or 10- year residency visa. 

For medical professionals, the Golden Visa can also be granted to researchers, scientists, and other highly skilled workers with qualifications or professional experience in medicine.  

Sudan is a source  

In recent years, Sudan has been impacted by civil unrest. This has made Sudan a hub for emigration, particularly to the rest of the Arabic-speaking world, as skilled professionals seek employment opportunities elsewhere.  

Case study 

The DataFlow Group recently visited Sudan to help with the verification process of Sudanese healthcare professionals planning on immigrating to other countries for employment. The DataFlow Group specialises in Primary Source Verification (PSV) and works with global governments, regulators, and public and private organisations to mitigate the potential risks of fraudulent employment applications, with the aim of creating safer communities for people to live and work in. Through its global network of over 100,000 schools, universities, licensing bodies and issuing authorities, the DataFlow Group assesses the accuracy and credibility of important documents, such as academic degrees, employment certificates, practice licenses, work permits and passports. 

Due to the unrest in Sudan, obtaining verifications from the associated issuing authorities was a time-consuming and complex process. To uphold the Dataflow Group’s ongoing commitment to its applicants, the DataFlow team visited the issuing authorities in person in order to complete the verification process and enable these individuals to obtain overseas employment. 

Sanjeev Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer for the DataFlow Group, commented on the company’s recent efforts in Sudan: “Our aim is to ensure our verification services are accessible for all professionals across the globe. As most of our processes are completed online, we understand that in countries where the digital infrastructure is not as readily available or as advanced as other geographies, we have to look to other methods to provide our services. This is why we recently visited Sudan. 

“Sudan is a country rich with healthcare talent and to support Sudanese healthcare professionals in their quest for international employment opportunities, we put together a team to resolve the issue including visiting with Sudanese issuing authorities, such as universities and hospitals, to obtain verifications which is a mandatory component for overseas applicants who apply for a medical license in the GCC. We verified documents from over 18,000 applicants in Sudan and provided support where needed to ensure the verification process was successful for each applicant. 

The DataFlow Group received a total of 47,233 documents for verification in Sudan. 65 per cent of the applicants were nurses, and 35 per cent were qualified doctors.  

In total, 98 per cent of the 18,000 applicants received a positive report, with 0.8 per cent receiving a discrepancy report. The remaining 1.2 per cent could not be verified due to incomplete documentation.  

The exceptional efforts undertaken to obtain these verifications are vital for countries that are unable to utilise digital means for document verification services. They support the growth of critical sectors, including healthcare, in the UAE and other GCC countries, and also provide a means for skilled and qualified professionals to utilise their qualifications on a global scale. 
 

This article was written with inputs from The DataFlow Group. 

 

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The last several years have been tough on the health insurance industry, with claims activity declining substantial over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, insurers are getting smarter and more sophisticated, embracing new technology to optimise once cumbersome processes — a trend that will only continue in 2023.

In this article, Omnia Health looks at the most notable healthcare trends to watch out for over the next 12 months.

Rise in cost of healthcare benefits

Related: Standardized medical procedure codes support health care insurance programs across the Gulf region

It may come as no surprise, given global headlines, that 2023 will be marked by rising healthcare benefit costs.

A survey by multinational insurance advisor company Willis Towers Watson revealed that global healthcare benefit costs are in fact projected to hit their highest level in almost 15 years because of rising inflation, increasing healthcare consumption, and continued economic uncertainty.

Related: All You Need to Know about Maternity Insurance Cover in UAE

Indeed, the survey found that 78 per cent of insurers expect higher cost increases over the next three years, with a 10 per cent rise forecast for 2023. The projections vary by region, with an 8.6 per cent increase anticipated in Europe, compared to a more alarming 11.5 per cent increase in the Middle East and Africa.

Jerome Droesch, CEO of Domestic Health and Health Services at Cigna International Markets, notes the effect these rising costs may have: “Inflationary trends will see an increase in costs. Many insurance companies will be required to shift their business models to increase adoption of disruptive technologies such as cloud computing and applied AI.”

Digitalisation and innovation

Optimising operations using digital processes is the name of the game, and firms are likely to trial a variety of digital and technological options in 2023.

One such option is telehealth, which medical providers and insurers are beginning to adopt to increase access to healthcare and improve patient outcomes —particularly for areas with high numbers of claims, such as musculoskeletal disorders.

“Innovation and new technologies are revolutionising treatments and driving emergency care as well as the ‘healthcare-at-home’ market,” remarks Droesch.

Automation for efficiency

Insurance firms are also increasingly implementing automation to make processes more efficient. For instance, robotic process automation is a proven method to optimise claims management, automated payments, and policy management, enabling insurers to service more customers more effectively.

ZhongAn, one of China’s leading insurance companies, has already achieved 99 per cent automation for underwriting and 95 per cent for claims settlement. This highlights the enormous potential of automation for healthcare insurers – but only if it is implemented effectively.

Transformation of analytics

In 2023 healthcare insurance may finally realise the potential of using artificial intelligence and machine learning to process and analyse data quickly and efficiently to gain insights about their customers and predict their behaviour.

In doing so they can target insurance policies at the right customers and identify fraud risks and triage claims. Data can speed up the sales process, improve customer satisfaction, and significantly reduce risk.

Jerome Droesch sees enormous potential in AI-driven analytics, noting: “In the coming years, operationalising AI platforms across certain healthcare workflows has the potential to increase productivity by 10 to 15 per cent.”

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Watch on demand: Looking ahead: Healthcare trends on the horizon for 2023

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve in the era of digital innovation it has never been more important to understand the trends that are going to disrupt the industry in the year ahead. << Watch on demand now >>

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Not only does fitness in corporate healthcare firms improve employee health, but it can also supercharge patient engagement and retention.

In Dubai, healthcare corporations are going beyond the currently underway Dubai Fitness Challenge by taking a holistic approach to the importance of staying fit and healthy year-round.

Related: BMI: One size truly does not fit all

Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, Chief Executive Officer, Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai Silicon Oasis said, “As we all know, health and fitness are interlinked. As a hospital that is Made for Dubai, serving the community we are in is of paramount importance. While doing so we also work towards ensuring that our internal consumers, which are our staff, are served just as well. 

“Fakeeh University Hospital encourages staff to take healthy measures. For instance, we motivate our employees to take the stairs more often than use the lift, it is a small step that creates a long-lasting impact in the long run. Our facility spans across one million sq ft, which gives us ample walking and healing space to work on our mind and body.”

Related: Reaping the benefits of Keto

Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, Chief Executive Officer, Fakeeh University Hospital

He also said: “In cases where patients can and are supposed to adopt a healthier regime, we assist them with meal and fitness plans. Our in-house nutritionists play a vital role in keeping our consumers fit. This also promotes faster recoveries for the patients, resulting in greater patient satisfaction and retention.”

Dr. Gul also said that the hospital has actively been involved in the Dubai Fitness Challenge. “We have partnered with the region’s fitness events, and offered emergency support services, as we consider it our responsibility to empower our consumers on their health and wellness journey.”

According to Dr. Gul, fitness is not sporadic but a consistent lifestyle. “The Dubai Fitness Challenge aims to transform Dubai into the most active city and promote healthy living while building awareness of the impact of physical health on cognitive development. Similarly, at FUH, we aim to offer our patients holistic well-being, which is why we continually work towards developing new programmes and practices that offer consumers the gift of well-being.”

Dr. Rahul Deshmukh, Head of the Department, Anaesthesia and Medical Director, Medcare Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, said: “As an Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence, we believe in a holistic approach comprising of prevention and treatment of sports injuries and lifestyle diseases.”

Dr. Deshmukh said that the lack of outdoor activities and sedentary lifestyle has caused a massive increase in the number of patients with spine problems and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart issues in the UAE.

“Our team of highly skilled doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists always emphasises the importance of an active lifestyle and correct posture. By engaging with such initiatives, it also helps us in highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare.”

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Skin diseases do not only impact physical appearance but also leave a lasting psychological impact on patients. However, many diseases, even the rare ones that are typically not curable, respond well to treatment.

According to Cleveland Clinic, skin diseases are conditions that affect the skin and may cause rashes, inflammation, itchiness, or other skin changes. Some skin conditions may be genetic, while lifestyle factors may cause others. Skin disease treatment may include medications, creams or ointments, or lifestyle changes.

Lesser-known dermatology diseases

Related: AI tool examines skin conditions for melanoma - fast

Experts say that there is a wide range of dermatology-related diseases, and many are not widely known by the general population in UAE and worldwide, such as lichen planus, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema, vitiligo, and multiforme, to name a few.

Dr. Reem Al Kaddah, Specialist Dermatologist, Medcare Medical Centre, Motor City.

Related: Skin Cancer Growing Public Concern in the UAE

“The impact of these conditions can range from mild such as lichen planus to more serious conditions like pemphigus vulgaris that can adversely affect life expectancy,” said Dr. Reem Al Kaddah, Specialist Dermatologist, Medcare Medical Centre, Motor City.

“Lichen planus can affect skin, hair, nails, or even oral mucosa. For the most part, it causes the skin to be itchy and develops raised papules and rashes that can affect any part of the body, but especially limbs. Pemphigus vulgaris will affect ages 30 to 60 years old. The most common symptoms include painful blisters, erosions affecting the skin and mucosal surfaces in the mouth,” she said.

Likewise, vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that affects 0.5-2 per cent of the world population over 20 years old. “It is not contagious or life-threatening, but it does last for life which patients can find upsetting and depressing,” explained Dr. Laith Alshar, Specialist Dermatologist, Clinical and Aesthetics at Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai.

Dr. Laith Alshar, Specialist Dermatologist, Clinical and Aesthetics at Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai.

 

Nonsegmental vitiligo is the most common form of vitiligo. The condition involves loss of pigment (depigmentation) in patches of skin. Depigmentation may occur on the face, neck, and scalp, and around body openings such as the mouth and genitals, as well as areas that tend to experience rubbing or impact, such as the hands and arms.

Spesolimab and Opzelura receive FDA approvals

Recently, the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) became the first regulatory authority to approve spesolimab as a treatment option for generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP) flares in adults. GPP is a rare disease, and its impact on those affected is immense. Patients experience widespread non-infectious pustules erupting on the skin, which are red, itchy, painful, and visible to others.

To help combat the disease, Boehringer Ingelheim launched spesolimab, a novel, selective antibody that blocks the activation of the interleukin-36 receptor (IL-36R), a signaling pathway within the immune system shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of GPP.

Dr. Mohamed Meshref, Medical Director for India, Middle East, Turkey and Africa (IMETA) region, Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “GPP is a dermatological condition that can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life. Flares associated with GPP are common in people living with this devastating skin condition and if left untreated, they can be life-threatening. This approval by the US FDA is a turning point and will help make a difference for patients living with the rare condition.”

Spesolimab has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US, China, and Taiwan, Priority Review in the US and China, Orphan Drug Designation in the US, Korea, Switzerland, and Australia, Rare Disease Designation, and fast track in Taiwan, for the treatment of GPP flares.

Treatment options for diseases such as lichen planus range from topical steroids to systemic oral medications such as acitretin methotrexate azathioprine. “The challenge with these medications is the ability to monitor compliance given the side effects and the need to regularly monitor lab tests. The same also applies to pemphigus vulgaris medications with additional biologic treatments such as rituximab which has FDA approval,” said Dr. Al Kaddah.

For vitiligo, the FDA has approved Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.

According to Dr. Alshar, the understanding of the pathogenesis of vitiligo develops in parallel with the knowledge of the genetic regulation of the phenomena linked to oxidative stress and the cutaneous immune response.

“The epigenetic control of the gene expression linked to these phenomena can be an integrator of these processes since environmental and dietary factors, behavioural response patterns to stress, and the increasing exposure to industrialised compounds are intensely present in modern life, especially air pollution and aromatic compounds,” he said.

Three emerging vitiligo therapeutic classes are at the most advanced stage of development and are associated with the most important pathogenic pathways which are the tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

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