Defining moment for digital transformation of healthcare

The healthcare industry continues to grapple with rising cases of COVID-19 globally. It has been inspiring by how the healthcare community has come together to combat the pandemic with unwavering commitment, quickly adapting and taking full advantage of the technologies at hand to care for their patients. COVID-19 has been a catalyst for change, accelerating digital transformation in many areas healthcare. This starts at the very beginning of the patient pathway, with precision diagnosis, the compass for effective treatment.

Kees Wesdorp,

Chief Business Leader, Precision Diagnosis, Philips, The Netherlands

According to the World Medical Association, nearly half of the world’s physicians experience symptoms of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. A survey that Philips conducted among radiology staff last year confirms that they are experiencing significantly high levels of stress and burnout. In the face of COVID-19, the need for greater efficiency and responsiveness has become even more urgent. Before the pandemic, diagnostic services were already burdened with high demand, short staffing, and inefficient workflows.

As healthcare facilities in some countries begin to resume elective exams and procedures for patients with cancer, heart disease, and other conditions, while continuing to support critical care for COVID-19 patients, there will inevitably be more strain placed on radiology departments.

Effectively juggling these responsibilities will require healthcare professionals to embrace new models of care delivery, founded on precise diagnostics and robust telehealth networks, and with workflows that adapt dynamically to rapidly changing circumstances.

Getting diagnostic examinations first-time-right

Getting diagnosis right has always been the cornerstone of healthcare: it informs every decision along the patient’s journey, often marking the difference between successful and unsuccessful treatments.