Digital revolution in health care: all the benefits

Evolution and progress, promised by this digital revolution in health care, represent breakthroughs that are impossible to ignore. This year we have had confirmation, if any were needed, that we are now set on a path with only one direction of travel: thedigital evolution of traditional medicine, long considered an opportunity, has in fact rapidly taken on the urgent tone of necessity.

The health emergency that swept the planet in 2020 proved to be a real impetus for the spread of digital health within the processes of national health systems. In this way, the crisis has amplified people’s perceived awareness, orienting them toward a greater understanding of how an effective and structured organization aimed at promoting telemedicine services can inject benefits to the entire health sector. So let’s go on to find out what benefits we could achieve by using home care.

The digital revolution in health care represents a sociocultural shift

When we talk about telemedicine, a term with which we have all become familiar because of the health emergency, we are actually approaching a breakthrough comparable to a real social and cultural revolution. This innovative home care system prospects substantial quality improvement not only in doctor-patient interaction, but also in the interaction between medical experts in the field.

Teleconsultation (the ability for health care professionals to dynamically interact with each other and consult about a specific patient) is in fact just one of the many benefits of a structured, well-organized system that is the child of the digital revolution in health care.

Impact of telemedicine on health care spending

Technological innovation is often a valuable ally with a view to rationalizing resources and, consequently, costs concerning a specific sector. The high levels of efficiency, made possible by the use of state-of-the-art software and devices, will inevitably lead toward lowering the costs, both social and economic, arising from the care process. We are thus poised to witness a real revolution that will mutate pre-existing business models. The main changes we are now headed toward will concern:

• A decrease in hospitalizations of the chronically ill (long-distance patients will benefit from constant care and monitoring, an ideal treatment methodology to follow the evolution of chronic diseases: particular type of disorder whose symptoms do not wear off over time or go through substantial improvement).

• Greater streamlining of waiting lists.
• A lower amount of emergency room admissions.
• A significant reduction in outpatient visits.
• Reduced reliance on nursing homes and inpatient care (in fact, elderly patients will be able to rely on remote care).

A service marked by equitable access to care

Dynamism and speed, the breaking down of geographic and time barriers, a substantial reduction in waiting lists: these are the obvious advantages brought by the wind of innovation (to learn more read our article Telemedicine in Italy: bridging innovation and tradition).

The process of bringing doctor and patient together has never been so ductile and efficient: thanks to telemedicine, we are in fact able to provide everyone with the same opportunities to access the same health service.

Home care represents a great and necessary revolution within the daily routine of millions of people living in remote geographical areas (such as mountains or islands), for anyone who is abroad for travel and needs counseling, or even for those who do not have time to be away from work and family.

The digital revolution in health care is therefore a huge opportunity for savings, both in terms of time and in terms of energy and stress, all while going to ensure highly personalized doctor-patient interaction. Health care delivery thus shifts from crowded hospitals and clinics to the familiarity of the home.