Many countries are experiencing an increase in the ageing population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services. Older adults often have multiple chronic conditions requiring complex & ongoing care. Geriatric care, long-term care facilities & palliative services will all need considerable investment in the near term.
Added to that, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease & cancer, & mental health conditions is placing an additional burden on society. These conditions require continuous, often costly, care.
A fundamental shift from acute care to preventative & long-term management is needed to reduce that burden. Many of the chronic conditions are the result of lifestyle choices and as a result, education of the younger generation will be a critical factor in addressing those diseases . Add to that continued investment in public health & technological innovation & there are some solutions readily available.
The anticipated shortages of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, & allied health workers are manifest in burnout & stress leading to higher turnover rates.
Governments & healthcare providers need to find ways to make healthcare more affordable while maintaining quality. This will require policy changes, cost management, & value-based care models. The design of new operating models for healthcare including more patient self-management, stronger links between primary, secondary & tertiary care
Tele-health, AI diagnostics & robotic surgery, electronic health records (EHRs), & wearable devices are transforming care but also bring attendant challenges around cybersecurity, data privacy, & interoperability. There will however be a tipping point when the necessity of ongoing care & sheer volume of need will outpace these issues.
Digital interactive health (DIH) will become a pervasive and useful adjunct to traditional care models.
I have the pleasure of working with a group of visionary folks in Dunedin on some DIH initiatives. The co-created, collaborative approach includes clinicians, researchers, educators, community health providers, enterprise development & investors. In looking at DIH interfaces, we’ve also worked with video game developers – their user experience (UX) knowledge & creativity is crucial for success. Non-pharmaceutical UX technology that empowers people to improve health conditions or navigate the health system, independent of clinical input, will also provide feedback on progress.
Co-ordinated efforts from governments, healthcare providers, technology companies, & patients to develop sustainable & effective solutions are in train already.
Careful planning & investment at an early stage will minimise those risks & support a healthy population.
