Philips: APAC region embraces bold shifts in delivery of care

MedTech & Diagnostics News: The Asia Pacific (APAC) findings of the Future Health Index (FHI) 2023 report has been unveiled, hot on the heels of last week’s successful Australian data release. This eighth edition of the report by Philips Healthcare is set to shake up the healthcare landscape as we know it, as it unveils a remarkable shift towards a new model of care delivery that harnesses the power of technology and data to revolutionise patient-centred healthcare.

The FHI 2023 report, based on a comprehensive survey of nearly 3,000 respondents across 14 countries, including Australia, Indonesia, and Singapore, showcases an emerging trend that is set to redefine healthcare across the APAC region. With unprecedented financial pressures and staff shortages, APAC’s healthcare leaders are taking bold strides to reshape the industry for the better.

Traditionally, healthcare has been confined within the walls of centralised facilities like hospitals. However, the FHI report reveals a seismic shift towards a more distributed model of care delivery.

Caroline Clarke, CEO and Executive Vice President of Philips APAC, expressed her enthusiasm about the transformative potential of this shift as the expected global deficit of qualified healthcare professionals is estimated to rise to 10 million by 2030. Furthermore, 25% of healthcare spending is considered wasteful by healthcare leaders, with services seen as excess costs that could be avoided with cheaper alternatives.

“The good news for patients is that this puts them first. We are seeing a shift towards a distributed model of care delivery in APAC that uses smart and connected digital health technologies and data to bring care closer to patients, at home or in the community, to where they are, anytime-anywhere.”

Apart from its benefits for patients, embracing this new model of care delivery promises numerous advantages for healthcare leaders and professionals. The FHI report highlights that APAC’s healthcare leaders are not only well-equipped to adopt the new care delivery models but also have high hopes for increased efficiency and sustainability.

Two-thirds of healthcare leaders and young healthcare professionals in the region believe that these transformative models will lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly healthcare practices, surpassing global averages. Furthermore, there’s an overwhelmingly positive impact on staff morale and retention, with expectations of better work-life balance and greater job satisfaction.

Increased patient compliance and adherence to treatment (44%), improved patient education (36%), increased efficiency (shorter waiting times, more patients seen), collaboration with local communities to improve population health and more technologically advanced healthcare (35%) are also seen as major benefits

The shift towards patient-centric care is being powered by remarkable advancements in digital health technologies and virtual care. According to the FHI report, APAC’s healthcare leaders are investing heavily in AI, data analytics, and virtual care technologies to enhance patient experiences and optimise healthcare operations.

Mark Burby, Head of Sales at Philips APAC, revealed the company’s strategic focus on two cutting-edge technologies poised to revolutionise healthcare. One of these innovations is the digital twin technology, which creates virtual models of the human body. Powered by artificial intelligence, this technology can predict a patient’s likelihood of contracting specific diseases. Constantly updated with each scan and consultation, the digital twin promises to usher in a new era of personalised and proactive healthcare.

In addition to the digital twin, Philips APAC is set to enhance its utilisation of the clinical command centre – a healthcare equivalent of a space station control room. With a grand vision in mind, the company aims to seamlessly integrate patient clinical information from in-hospital and out-of-hospital solutions. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the smooth movement of patients across the entire care continuum.

The FHI report also delved into digital health records which are emerging as the top investment area for APAC’s healthcare leaders, with AI investment plans in the pipeline for nearly three-quarters of them. Singapore leads the charge with 84%, closely followed by Indonesia (76%) and Australia (63%). The applications of AI span from predicting patient outcomes for better care guidance to clinical decision support and diagnostics integration.

Nearly one-third of the healthcare leaders pinpoint data interpretation skills (29%) and staff willingness to adopt new technologies (29%) as success factors in their roll out of new delivery models, whilst 44% of younger healthcare professionals agree that they need better training on new technologies to feel empowered to improve patient care. Having access to more advanced technologies to aid diagnostics (41%) and reduced administrative responsibilities (40%) were also cited as ways to empower them in improving patient care.

Sustainability remains a top priority for the healthcare industry in the APAC region. However, certain challenges hinder the seamless implementation of sustainability initiatives. Lack of access to appropriate technology, standardisation issues, and insufficient interest from staff are among the obstacles faced by healthcare leaders.

“Besides providing the right innovations and up-to-date training needed to unlock the full potential of anytime-anywhere care, we are also cognisant that climate-friendly solutions, practices and infrastructure are important to build a sustainable future for our industry,” added Ms Clarke.

With cutting-edge technology and innovative care models, APAC’s healthcare leaders are paving the way for a more sustainable and patient-centric future.

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