The impact of digital transformation consulting in healthcare

In this digital era, technology is revolutionizing healthcare, integrating advanced solutions like wearable tech, Virtual Reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance medical practices. These innovations drive efficiency, improve patient care, and reduce costs while enabling quicker diagnosis.

Digital transformation enables healthcare professionals to collect, analyze, and utilize vast amounts of data to identify patterns, detect anomalies, and devise strategies for personalized patient care. It encompasses adopting various digital tools and practices, including integrating internet-based solutions, digital technologies, and innovative therapies. For instance, telemedicine offers on-demand access to medical professionals through virtual consultations, benefiting those in remote areas or with physical limitations. Big Data analytics provides insights that help prevent diseases, predict outbreaks, and enhance patient management. Wearable devices continuously monitor health metrics, allowing for real-time alerts and proactive care. Artificial Intelligence (AI) assists in diagnostics, treatment, and operational efficiencies, while VR transforms surgical training and planning.

Enhancing growth strategy through digital innovation

The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to various trends in the healthcare sector, most notably patients’ preference for convenience and accessibility of doctors. As a result, health systems quickly adapted to digital business transformation strategies to improve consumer adequacy while altering their business trends, corporate culture, and technological practices.

A look at what’s driving digital innovation in healthcare:

Telemedicine and virtual doctor visits

Telemedicine solutions give customers on-demand access to medical professionals. It allows people to connect with medical specialists online, from finding a doctor and booking appointments to virtual consultations via voice or video chat.

Big Data analytics

Healthcare workers can proactively address potential issues and implement digital solutions by transforming critical healthcare data into actionable insights. Healthcare managers can leverage big data to inform digital transformation strategies by analyzing data such as patient outcomes across demographics. Forecasting patient volume for staffing, real-time alerts via wearables, and prescription data monitoring help healthcare organizations predict and resolve problems, enhancing overall care.

IoT

IoT-enabled gadgets provide remote monitoring, enhancing patient satisfaction by allowing doctors to track patient health in real time through wearables and home monitoring devices. This enables more personalized interactions.

VR

VR’s market size in healthcare is estimated at USD 4.05 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 27.26% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

AI

AI assists healthcare professionals in surgery, chronic condition monitoring, and risk assessment. It is poised to revolutionize healthcare by proactively detecting anomalies, enhancing patient communication, and accelerating drug discovery.

Improving patient experience and reducing cost

Digital tools are revolutionizing patient care by improving communication and access to health information through encrypted messaging platforms and patient portals. Automation reduces costs and optimizes resource allocation, enhancing the efficiency and affordability of healthcare delivery. Real-time data and analytics empower healthcare professionals to provide better care, while personalized treatment plans based on health profiles and histories improve care quality and patient engagement. Advanced encryption and access controls ensure data security, protecting patient information. Additionally, smart technology in supply chain management enhances inventory management and reduces errors.

In the next seven years, health data generation is expected to surpass all other fields, with 30% of the world’s data originating from the healthcare industry. This growth is reflected in the projected adoption of 40 million health and fitness wearables, anticipated to contribute to 75% of clinical data in 2024.

Unfortunately, most healthcare systems fail to leverage this resource, with 97% of hospital data underutilized. The lack of integrated analytics strategies is a widespread issue, as 77% of health systems lack a coherent approach. However, effective data processing can potentially enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare budgets, leading to sustainable cost reductions on a local, regional, and global scale.

Healthcare providers using AI to save big

Portal Telemedicina, a rural healthcare provider in Brazil, overcame challenges in their healthcare delivery systems by partnering with Google Cloud. Through data aggregation, storage, and analysis, Portal Telemedicina enhanced their services. They used AI to classify medical findings and recommend treatment urgency and were able to analyze chest X-rays for pneumonia. As a result, they achieved a 20% reduction in hospital admissions, a 5% reduction in health care costs, and improved patient outcomes.

Another AI tool, EVEscape, provided successful predictions for SARS-CoV-2 mutations during the pandemic and identified the most prevalent ones. Its accuracy matched experimental approaches that test the virus’s ability to bind to antibodies. Additionally, EVEscape predicted the loss of efficacy in antibody-based therapies as the virus evolved and developed mutations to evade these treatments.

Emerging trends

In the future, wearable healthcare devices will continue to make the healthcare experience seamless, with new features hitting the market, such as voice-based assistants, biosensors, and more. Healthcare AR and VR technologies will improve surgical efficiency, and on-demand care will become a big trend, ensuring the availability of virtual doctors 24/7. Besides, blockchain will provide better data security, privacy, and accessibility, enabling health information systems to work seamlessly within and across organizational boundaries.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is reshaping healthcare by improving access, quality, and cost-efficiency. The integration of technology promises enhanced patient care, operational efficiencies, and better security. To navigate this transformation, healthcare organizations must address challenges such as fragmented care and communication gaps. Implementing robust digital governance, fostering a culture of digital innovation, and preparing for future technological advancements are crucial for a successful transition.

As healthcare continues to evolve, embracing digital transformation will be key to achieving better patient outcomes, optimizing operations, and realizing long-term goals.

JLL Healthcare offers comprehensive real estate and facilities solutions for hospitals, physicians, care providers, and medical property investors. With expertise in planning, financing, acquisition, construction, optimization, and maintenance, JLL Healthcare helps clients maximize the potential of healthcare facilities. Our team of professionals have deep technical expertise and market knowledge, utilizing innovative data-driven analytics and business intelligence. To learn more, visit jll.com/healthcare.