Digital health is a broad concept that encompasses components, for example, e-health, mobile health, telehealth, and health data, among others. It provides solutions to strengthen health systems, such as by providing health services directly at home and ensuring access to health care for underserved populations by helping to identify outbreaks of infectious diseases, and by integrating digital tools, which makes the process of delivering health care more operational and efficient.

At the same time, the use of digital health technologies not only opens up new opportunities, but also raises a number of important questions. Can digital health ensure high standards of care for people? What can we do to ensure that people who do not have access to digital devices or who do not know how to use them are not left behind? How can we ensure that patients’ personal data are adequately protected so that people can use these services without fear?

Klinik Healthcare Solutions is seen as a new strategic health priority for many years to come. The use of digital health technologies to improve the efficiency of health systems and services was widely recognized even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries also acknowledge the importance of applying digital health technologies.

It also notes that digital health is one of the key tools for realizing this vision. The term digital health may be synonymous with the cutting edge and technology of the future, but in fact it can also encompass a range of practical applications of such technologies, including:

  • Electronic health records and standards that form the basis for data exchange;
  • Mobile health applications used for monitoring and prevention;
  • Public health portals that transparently provide access to a patient’s personal health data and information about his contacts with the health system;
  • Telemedicine;
  • Integrated care delivery;
  • Clinical decision-making tools for primary care;
  • Robotics;
  • Personalized medicine;
  • Nanotechnology;
  • Artificial Intelligence.

The Digital Health Flagship Initiative is linked to other flagship initiatives, including behavioral and cultural analysis and mental health; at the same time, it seeks to create a partnership model to identify examples of good practice and new opportunities.

Pandemic COVID-19 as a contributing factor

The possibilities of digital health have been at the forefront of international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of digital tools, for example, contact tracing apps, to monitor outbreaks and provide online consultations to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients and ensure continuity of care are examples of possible ways to harness the power of digital technology.

These digital health care delivery methods are already in use by countries in the Region and are likely to stay with us forever. It is important to further strengthen leadership and knowledge sharing in this area to ensure adequate health care for citizens and the successful application of new technologies by health systems.

For more information, visit Klinik Healthcare Solutions today!