By: Himanshu Kukreti, Director, Healthcare, LTIMindtree

In the modern era, data has become the essence of businesses across industries, driving innovation and transforming traditional business models. McKinsey, a global management consulting firm, has been leading the way in analyzing and assessing industries’ digital readiness through its Digital Quotient (DQ) framework. The DQ is derived from three critical areas: Data assets, data skills, and data utilization. Among the industries evaluated, the healthcare sector’s DQ has been found to be below that of almost all other industries, indicating significant room for improvement in terms of digitization.

As the healthcare industry embraces digital transformation, it is essential to approach the process mindfully, considering the human side of healthcare decision-making. While technological advancements hold immense promise, it is crucial to prioritize a strategy that emphasizes the “3 Ds“—Data, Digitalization, and Disruption, to drive a true data-analytics-driven industry.

Data

As the first pillar of the strategy, data is the foundation of any data-driven industry. In healthcare, the abundance of data from various sources such as electronic health records (EHRs), wearable devices, social determinants of health, and more, presents an unparalleled opportunity for insights, discoveries, and improvements in patient care. By leveraging big data, advanced healthcare data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare organizations can gain valuable insights into patient populations, disease patterns, treatment outcomes, and operational efficiencies. Stronger healthcare data analytics enable data-driven decision-making for personalized, evidence-based care plans, improved patient outcomes, and more efficient healthcare processes.

Digitalization

As the second pillar of the strategy, digitalization in healthcare processes involves the integration of digital technologies into healthcare processes, workflows, and systems. Digitalization in healthcare processes is redefining the way we interact with healthcare professionals, share medical data or make decisions related to treatment and outcomes. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions it imposed on patient movement, on-demand healthcare is expected to grow in coming years. The advent of virtual reality (VR) is expected to transform the healthcare industry and is increasingly being used across various segments such as patient education, robotic surgery, and psychological therapy, etc. From telehealth and remote patient monitoring to digital health records and telemedicine, digitalization enables the seamless exchange of information, improves communication and collaboration among healthcare stakeholders, and enhances patient engagement. Digitalization also streamlines administrative tasks, reduces errors, and enhances operational efficiencies, ultimately leading to better patient care and improved outcomes.

Disruption

As the third pillar of the strategy, disruption involves challenging traditional healthcare practices and embracing innovative approaches that redefine the industry. This includes adopting new business models, reimagining care delivery methods, and leveraging emerging technologies to transform healthcare. Disruption pushes organizations to think creatively, challenge outdated practices, and drive innovation throughout the healthcare ecosystem. It can lead to breakthroughs in patient care, increased satisfaction, and improved outcomes. Digital disruption, in particular, is reshaping the industry by promoting more patient-centric and data-driven models. Big data analytics and IoT enable real-time monitoring and predictive insights, boosting clinical outcomes and operational efficiencies. Moreover, digital and telehealth solutions simplify administrative processes and lower costs, allowing providers to prioritize patient care. This transformation accelerates innovation, creating a more connected, efficient, and responsive healthcare landscape.

However, recent moves by companies such as Google Cloud indicate a potential shift towards disruptive innovations in healthcare, with far-reaching ramifications expected in the coming years.

In July 2021, Google Cloud announced a private preview of the Healthcare Data Engine, which is an end-to-end solution designed for healthcare and life sciences organizations. This solution aims to harmonize data from various sources for advanced healthcare data analytics, including medical records, claims, clinical trials, and research data. By leveraging healthcare data in a meaningful way, the Healthcare Data Engine aims to create an interoperable, longitudinal record of patient data and provide clinical insights in the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) format, which is the standard format used in the healthcare industry.

A report by Publicis Health suggests that consumer expectations are rapidly changing. They want pharma and healthcare companies to understand their individual needs. To meet the evolving expectations of patients, the healthcare and pharma businesses must reframe their culture, build products and services through a human-centric lens and put the patient first to start their healthcare transformation journey. This will create a triple A (AAA) driver for the patient spanning awareness (about products and services), accessibility (to superior healthcare) and adherence (enabling better follow-ups and outcomes).

Don’t forget the human element of healthcare

By prioritizing the 3 D strategy—data, digitalization, and disruption, healthcare organizations can unlock the full potential of digital transformation. However, it is crucial to keep in mind the human aspect of healthcare decision-making. Healthcare is ultimately about people—patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals—and their health and well-being. Ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and patient-centricity must guide the implementation of digital transformation initiatives to ensure that technology serves as an enabler of better patient care, rather than replacing the human touch in healthcare decision-making.

In conclusion, the 3 D strategy—data, digitalization, and disruption can drive a true data-analytics-driven industry in healthcare. By leveraging data, embracing digitalization, and challenging traditional practices through disruption, healthcare organizations can unlock the full potential of digital transformation, leading to improved patient care, better health outcomes, and a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.

References

• Google Cloud Announces Healthcare Data Engine to Enable Interoperability in Healthcare, PR Newswire, July 22, 2021,
• Six Forces Transforming Healthcare | Publicis Health — Publicis Health
• McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2022, McKinsey Digital, August 24, 2022,
• Google Cloud Healthcare Data Engine, Google Cloud