Over the past couple of years patient experience has rightfully become a stronger focus in healthcare delivery. In most developed countries consumer or patient advocate groups have formed, demanding a stronger voice for the consumer regarding the impact of health policy decisions. Rapidly developing business challenges include the higher expectations and demands consumers have regarding how patients engage with their healthcare providers, managing health records, increasing administration costs and increased patient waiting times as the primary examples. All of these areas that can be addressed with relevant ICT technology.
Healthcare needs and demand continue to grow significantly with many contributing factors:
- Growing population
- Aging population
- Development of more chronic and complex diseases
- Longer life expectancy
There are many elements to successfully achieving long term sustainable growth for the industry while also meeting customer demand. Examples of these are;
- New hospitals with a focus on technologies that are built around the patient (consumer)
- Engagement of consumers in the planning stages of procuring ICT solutions and technologies.
- Smarter use of capital and operational budgets
- Stronger engagement in policy setting
Challenges:
The key business challenges are the higher expectations and demands consumers currently have. These consist of how patients engage with their healthcare providers, management of health records, increasing administration costs, increased population rates, increased patient waiting times and higher levels of chronic and complex diseases along with longer life expectations.
Desired State:
We all understand that the Health Industry is complex, but engaging the consumer will put the focus on health care delivery where it should be. This is no different than other industries such as banking who engage their customers in determining what strategies and types of technology solutions are required to satisfy their demands.
Jeff Smoot - CEO Australia
Jeff has extensive experience in Healthcare, previously working for companies such as Allscripts, Cerner and Fujitsu Technology Solutions. Jeff was awarded a BSBA by the University of Denver and an MBA from the Loyola College in Maryland in the USA.
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-smoot-5aa23917