DHN Forum Mumbai Reflects “Product to Patient” Approach in Scripting Healthcare Success Stories

In a fast-paced healthcare organization, the operation engine is always chugging with fresh ideas. Constant transitions, innovations & strategizing bring desired results. Responsible for securing success in such organizations are the C-level suits that keep the momentum going.

Discussing such success stories, the recent panel discussion at DHN Forum Mumbai on digital transformation in healthcare, was moderated by Dr Nand Kumar Jairam, chairman, Medica Synergie Hospitals & advisor Sheares Healthcare India, President GAPIO. The distinguished panel featured Debashish Roy, director & Head of Transformation and Digital Innovation at Pfizer, Anoop Lawrence, COO of Gleneagles Hospital, and Dr Parimal Patel, chief administrative officer at KD Hospital.

The session delved into the current state and future potential of digital investments, patient-centric models, clinician involvement, and the evolving regulatory landscape in healthcare.

Dr Jairam opened the discussion on digital investments in healthcare. He acknowledged the challenges of running behind schedule but stressed the necessity of a concise discussion. Dr Jairam emphasized the importance of digital transformation in healthcare and questioned digital investments' current state and future potential.

Roy reflected on the shift in healthcare focus from products to patients. "We have moved from a product-centric to a patient-centric mindset," he said. He highlighted the transformation in care models, especially post-pandemic, from episodic to preventive care.

Roy mentioned the importance of outcome-focused partnerships and the need for scalable and viable solutions. He stressed the importance of interoperability among disparate data sources to create a cohesive transformational experience for end-users.

Operational Perspectives on Digital Investment

Lawrence, provided insights from an operational standpoint. He emphasized that a hospital's model dictates the level of digital investment. "Hospitals must decide based on their specific needs," Lawrence noted.

He discussed the evolution of hospitals from mere disease management centers to institutions focusing on total patient experience. He illustrated this with an example of their liver transplant program, which uses digital platforms to connect with patients globally, assessing their progress without necessitating hospital visits.

Lawrence stressed the need for targeted digital investments to reach the right audience. "Digital platforms are crucial for connecting with patients far and wide, offering solutions to their ailments remotely," he explained.

He advocated for selective investments to ensure efficient and effective patient care.

Clinicians’ Role in Digital Innovation

Dr Patel discussed the role of clinicians in the digital adoption process. He highlighted the rapid transformation from traditional methods to digital innovations. "Our generation has seen a massive shift from no phones to WhatsApp," he remarked.

Dr Patel underlined the importance of involving clinical staff in the decision-making process for digital implementations. "Systems often fail because they are implemented without consensus from those who use them," he explained.

Dr Patel emphasized that digitalization must be cautiously approached, ensuring that all team members are on board and adequately trained. He shared experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, where digital systems became crucial for managing patient data and resources effectively. He warned against the pitfalls of rapid digital adoption without proper planning and training.

The Necessity & Challenges of Regulation

The panel also discussed the need for regulatory frameworks in digital healthcare. Lawrence compared regulations to traffic signals, which are essential for guiding and ensuring safety. He stressed the importance of patient privacy and the role of rules in maintaining trust in healthcare systems.

Roy pointed out that regulatory compliance is essential but should evolve with technological advancements. "Industry stakeholders and regulators must collaborate to update governance frameworks regularly," he suggested. Dr Patel added that outdated regulations could hinder progress and highlighted the need for continuous updates to keep pace with technological developments.

Future Directions

The session concluded with Dr Jairam summarizing the key points. He raised important questions about the role of digitalization in enhancing clinical progress, patient safety, and overall quality of care. He touched upon the potential impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

The discussion ended positively, with all panelists agreeing on the importance of digital transformation and the need for thoughtful and collaborative approaches to regulation.

In summary, the session provided valuable insights into the current state and future potential of digital investments in healthcare. It highlighted the importance of patient-centric approaches, targeted investments, clinician involvement, and evolving regulatory frameworks to ensure the successful digital transformation of healthcare systems.