Digital Health Future Outlook: Five Trends that Are Going to Change by 2030

Dr Ganapathy Krishnan, director, Apollo, Telemedicine Networking Foundation and Apollo TeleHealth Services, shared his insights, delivered in a crisp and impactful manner, pinpointed pivotal changes anticipated in the healthcare industry by 2030.

At the recently held DHN Forum Bengaluru, Dr Ganapathy Krishnan, director, Apollo, Telemedicine Networking Foundation and Apollo TeleHealth Services, shared a forward-looking perspective on healthcare transformation.

His insights, delivered in a crisp and impactful manner, pinpointed pivotal changes anticipated in the industry by 2030.

5 Prospective Trends: A Glimpse into the Future of Healthcare

1. Personalised, Participatory and Preventive Healthcare

Dr Krishnan envisaged a shift towards a healthcare system which is tailored to individual needs. He emphasised, "Medicine of the future is going to be personalised, participatory, and preventive healthcare."

At the event, he also discussed the transformative impact of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), envisioning universal digital health coverage for 500 million Indians from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. He emphasised the tangible progress already underway, indicating a shift towards personalised, participatory, and preventive healthcare.

2. Hospitals Redefined: From Patients to Procedurals

Challenging the traditional role of hospitals, Dr Krishnan foresees a significant transformation in the role of hospitals by 2030. According to him, hospitals will shift from patient-centric models to specialised centres primarily focused on surgeries and procedures. “Believe that the hospital of 2030 will be for procedures alone. Everything is being shifted,’’ he noted.

3. Healthcare on the Move: Mobile MRIs & Beyond

Mobile healthcare is becoming a reality, with Dr Krishnan predicting, "Mobile MRIs have already started, and I believe the day is not far off when a mobile MRI will be taken in an ambulance and go to the house of the patients." This shift points towards a future where healthcare is mobile, making it more accessible and convenient.

4. 6G Revolution & Corporate Commitment

Talking about the significant technological advancements, Dr Krishnan also mentioned the country's ambitious plans to offer a 5G standard of care by 2035.

Additionally, Dr Krishnan noted that the Government of India has already initiated efforts towards 6G development, with a high-level commission comprising directors from IITs appointed for this purpose.

Furthermore, Dr Ganapathy spoke about the shifting focus of corporate entities towards preventive healthcare. He highlighted the strategic shift of corporate hospitals towards preventive healthcare, driven by a commercial imperative to keep individuals healthy and out of hospitals.

The Apollo director also recognised the pivotal role of insurance companies in driving investments towards preventive measures, envisioning a future where proactive healthcare initiatives become the norm.

5. Native Intelligence in Healthcare

Furthermore, Dr Krishnan highlighted the evolving dynamics of healthcare, noting the transition from traditional doctor-patient relationships to consumer-oriented interactions.

He predicted a transformation in healthcare professionals' titles, foreseeing a shift from conventional designations such as "MBBS doctors" and "MD doctors" to broader terms such as "healthcare providers," "physician assistants," and "nursing assistants."

Thereafter Dr Krishnan also predicted a major transformation in the medical field, suggesting that cardiac and neurosurgeons may see reduced demand for their services in the future, with a shift towards augmentative neurosurgery.

“I believe that in 50 years from now, there will be no place for a cardiac surgeon. There will be very little place for a neurosurgeon. And a neurosurgeon would do what is called augmentative neurosurgery,“ stated Dr Krishnan.

Looking ahead, he spotlighted the role of native intelligence as a pivotal factor in the future of healthcare. He said, "Native intelligence will play a major role," indicating a paradigm shift in diagnostics and therapeutics. This reflects a future where AI and native intelligence work together to enhance healthcare efficiency.

Future of Healthcare: Comprehensive Perspective

Dr Ganapathy Krishnan's speech at the DHN Forum Bengaluru extended beyond the outlined trends, offering a comprehensive perspective on the future of healthcare.

Dr Krishnan highlighted the substantial investment expected in the healthcare sector, projecting a staggering $217 billion and the creation of 12 million new jobs by 2030. He reinforced "Make in India for the World," indicating India's potential to become a global hub for healthcare solutions and services.

Talking about the growing trend of wearable technologies, Dr Krishnan acknowledged startups led by young founders who find innovative solutions and contribute to the industry's evolution.

The speech touched on the changing landscape of medical laboratories, with a prediction that microbiology laboratories might go out of fashion in the near future. Dr Krishnan also foresaw a transition where X-Rays and ultrasounds move from diagnostic centres to being accessible through mobile devices.

Backing his vision, he cited a Pune-based Indian company's innovative 3.5kg bag. This portable solution, including an X-Ray machine, reaches the doctor in 90 seconds and the patient in six minutes,

In his address, Dr Ganapathy emphasised the role of technology as a means of achieving means. He underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between technological advancements and the essential human qualities of sympathy, compassion, and empathy in healthcare.

In essence, Dr Ganapathy Krishnan's insights provide a holistic vision for the future of healthcare, such as harnessing technology to address individual needs, fostering compassion, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. In the end, it's not just about technological advancement; it's about human-centric care that puts patients at the heart of the healthcare journey.