What comes to mind when we talk about digital transformation in healthcare? You probably thought of the classic version of digital transformation, where paper records are replaced by computers, online documents, and spreadsheets.
However, for most hospitals, this shift occurred years ago. Today, digital transformation in healthcare refers to technologies such as Big Data, AI, the Internet of Things, telemedicine, electronic health records, among others.
Digital transformation is an ongoing process driven by the continuous advancement of available technologies. There is always something new that can enhance processes even further, especially in healthcare.
Beyond process improvements, digital transformation also influences organizational culture by prioritizing digital thinking in strategies and solutions. It promotes a shift in mindset—not only in day-to-day operations but also in overall business management. Organizations begin to seek more innovative services and foster a new mindset among employees, encouraging a modernized approach to task execution.
Transformation Does Not Necessarily Mean Revolution
People often believe that innovation requires something revolutionary and unprecedented. However, simply transforming mindsets, behaviors, and cultures can already pave the way for new ideas and open the door to more modern ways of performing daily tasks.
Even small changes can make a significant difference in people’s daily lives. Telemedicine is a prime example of this, as it delivers medical services remotely, significantly improving patient care while streamlining processes and diagnoses.
Time and costs are also reduced, as location is no longer a barrier. Compared to other groundbreaking innovations, telemedicine is relatively simple to implement, yet its impact on both professionals and patients is substantial.
Artificial Intelligence is another example of a resource leveraged by digital transformation in healthcare. AI plays a crucial role in disease prevention and diagnosis. Additionally, it enhances the automation of patient triage, ensuring that urgent cases receive prompt attention.
Cloud-based medical software is also considered a digital transformation tool, as it centralizes hospital or clinic information and patient records. Such software may include electronic health records, appointment scheduling, and various other functionalities.
However, none of these advancements will be truly effective without a strategic management system for the clinic or hospital—one that also oversees documents and processes to ensure security and quality in patient care.
Advantages of Digital Transformation
The modernization and digitalization of management have a positive impact on process optimization, as technology enables automated services, eliminating repetitive tasks. These tasks can also be configured so that, for example, a form can be completed using voice commands.
With this, Artificial Intelligence can handle bureaucratic tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on providing humanized care to patients, as well as on new training and professional development to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Digitalization enables the creation of a database that can be analyzed using agile tools, providing high-quality information to support decision-making for leadership and strategic areas.
This database can facilitate diagnoses by cross-referencing patient records within the same family, which is particularly beneficial in hospital settings.
Another advantage is the time saved by healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on personalized care, increasing efficiency, and ultimately improving profitability.
Challenges Faced
The lack of digital literacy can be considered a challenge in the implementation of Digital Transformation. However, continuous training and capacity-building programs play a crucial role in mitigating this issue, making it a minor obstacle compared to the advantages gained from the process.
This challenge can also affect patients, who may initially struggle with electronic systems. To prevent this from becoming a barrier to care, it is essential to have staff available to assist those in need until they become accustomed to the new format and digitalization.
In the case of clinics offering laboratory testing services, test result delivery can be adapted to the patient’s preference—whether as a printed document or accessed via a secure login on the clinic’s website.
Digital Transformation aims to streamline processes and enhance service quality. Therefore, it is important to recognize that, in the initial stages, certain adaptations may be required to accommodate patients. However, this does not mean the system will not work. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will be essential in assessing the effectiveness of the implementation.
Another critical aspect to consider is compliance with the LGPD (General Data Protection Law) to ensure data security, especially regarding sensitive information contained in electronic health records.
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