The medical sector put to the test of digital transformation

These days, no sector escapes the digital wave that is shaking up our societies. The medical field, in particular, is undergoing profound change under the impetus of digital technologies. In an era now governed by data, the healthcare sector must adopt innovative tools to optimize diagnosis, patient care and, ultimately, save lives. 

Digital transformation and healthcare: the challenges

The digital transition underway in the medical sector is pursuing ambitious and varied objectives. Let's take a closer look at the main issues at stake.

First and foremost, digital technology brings medical staff and patients closer together than ever before. Telemedicine tools such as teleconsultation facilitate remote interaction. This in turn facilitates access to care, thanks to optimized treatment. Secondly, the dematerialization of medical data fosters improved collaboration between hospital and outpatient services. Information sharing is simplified by convergent information systems. This streamlining of the care pathway benefits the patient, thanks to personalized follow-up that is not subject to the vagaries of transmission between departments. New technologies are also improving the accuracy of diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment. Artificial intelligence analyzes masses of data to detect weak signals. As a result, pathology modeling is considerably refined, reducing the margin for error. Patients benefit from the best possible support at the right time. What's more, this optimization generates savings in public health expenditure. The automation of certain medical tasks reduces costs.

The massive collection of health data is fuelling the creation of vast common knowledge bases. Medical research is benefiting from this and accelerating the development of new treatments. However, the management of highly confidential health data remains a key challenge. Strict regulation is essential to guarantee the security and ethics of automated data processing.

The e-health dynamic

E-health refers to all digital technologies used in the medical field. In concrete terms, it encompasses a range of applications that are already optimizing patient care:

• The shared medical record (DMP) is a secure digital safe containing a patient's health information, including history, treatment and test results. Accessible to both the patient and authorized professionals, it promotes the coordination of care between healthcare establishments. The DMP improves overall patient care.
• Teleconsultation involves videotransmission between the doctor and patient at a distance. This avoids the need to travel to "medical deserts", and facilitates access to specialist expertise. Connected stethoscopes and associated health devices can even be used for in-depth teleconsultation.
• Remote medical monitoring is based on the use of connected devices (blood pressure monitors, oximeters, scales, etc.) that continuously monitor the patient's vital parameters at home. The data is analyzed by the medical team, which can then detect any anomalies and intervene rapidly before hospitalization.
• Mobile health via applications or wearables (watch, bracelet) encourages patients to get involved in monitoring their state of health through daily measurements. The patient becomes a player in his or her own health.
• Digital therapies such as virtual reality and serious games enable patients to follow a playful rehabilitation program, for example after a stroke or trauma. 

These innovations bear witness to the tremendous growth of e-health, which is profoundly reinventing the patient-physician relationship and treatments. Medicine is moving resolutely into the digital age.

Mission opportunities for IT specialists

The digital transformation of the healthcare sector is opening up new prospects for information systems consultants and software publishers. Their skills are more than ever in demand to support doctors and healthcare establishments in this transformation.

Consultants can intervene at several levels:

• Audit of existing information systems and recommendations for suitable digital tools;
• Parameterization and deployment of selected digital solutions;
• Change management to facilitateassimilation new tools;
• Securing healthcare data flows during dematerialization ;
• Interoperability of hospital and private sector information systems.

The advanced technical and functional skills of our IT specialists are essential to the success of the healthcare sector's digital transformation. Their missions cover a wide spectrum of interventions to meet the multiple challenges of this transformation.

In conclusion, the digital shift is becoming an imperative for the medical sector, even if it raises a number of challenges. The stakes are many: optimizing care, reducing costs, advancing research... In fact, e-health is already transforming practices through telemedicine, connected objects and digital therapies. This transformation is leading to more preventive, predictive and personalized medicine for the benefit of patients. However, the confidentiality of health data requires strict regulation. The digital transition in healthcare must be completed with prudence and discernment.

Supporting the digital transformation of the healthcare sector requires specialized expertise. Knowmore can advise and assist you in implementing andassimilation innovative, secure e-health solutions. 

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