A global survey conducted by Polycom, the global leader in video and voice tele-presence solutions, has found that only advanced technology could efficiently and effectively ensure easy access to healthcare infrastructure. In addition, 20 per cent and 30 per cent of its survey respondents from the APAC and EMEA regions indicate that ageing population poses a challenge.

The company has pointed out that senior technologists should take  a seat at the boardroom to ensure technology is integrated to achieve digital transformation needed to move from treating only the sick to prevention and wellness.

”Healthcare delivery is evidently shifting in the light of challenges such as physician shortages and rapidly ageing societies, and requires digital transformation in order to cope with the pressures placed on the industry,” said Ron Emerson, global director, healthcare at Polycom.

“Technology holds the key to the future of healthcare. Our survey findings highlight how the industry can best integrate and utilise game-changing technological developments, to accelerate telemedicine or telehealth applications, to maximise its potential and realise new models of care delivery by 2025,” he added.

In this regard, video-enabled care delivery makes strategic and financial sense. For patients, it puts management of their health back in their own control, reducing unnecessary travel time and expenditure. Likewise, for medical professionals, collaboration technology can provide opportunities in coordinated care delivery, peer consultations, and continuing medical education, stated Emerson.

The mobile revolution has catapulted millions of people into the digital age, with those in rural areas using smartphones for services previously not available to them such as e-commerce and data logging. Globally healthcare professionals are convinced that technologies like personal health monitoring devices and video collaboration solutions, will play a vital role in creating a positive healthcare future. By 2025 primary care will be accessible to all citizens, regardless of distance thanks to the increased availability of broadband, mobile devices and applications.

“Incorporating technology like video into the delivery of healthcare services will be critical in creating a positive healthcare future globally. For instance, services such as virtual consultations and remote monitoring, mentioned in participant responses, can enable nations to make healthcare accessible to almost everyone. This will be vital in tackling many of the challenges that will impact the industry over the coming years,” said Emerson.

Virtual healthcare services to homes will be a realistic scenario in 2025 due to technology advancements. These would include virtual outpatient services, as well as remote diagnosis for the elderly and physically disabled, amongst others.

In addition, there is also a need to increase focus on preventive models of healthcare that reduce hospitalisation and treatment cost.