The COVID-19 pandemic modified the use of Digital Health technologies. The promotion of the use of these solutions in health care systems was a reality in various countries around the world.
In many cases, Digital Health meant a balm or a provisional measure for medical care in times of health emergency. However, it is necessary for health systems to consider Digital Health as an essential modality, even after the pandemic.
Dr. Brian D'Anza, Specialist in the Department of Digital Health/Telehealth, University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and Peter J. Pronovost, RN, University Hospitals, published the article: “Digital Health: Unlocking Value in a Post-Pandemic World” , in the book Population Health Management.
In the article, the authors detail the importance of Digital Health in the post-pandemic world: “It is necessary to define the role of digital health in the post-pandemic world to help health systems and practices build a bridge to value-based care. The transformation of values will be more crucial for the success of health systems.” The importance of defining the role of Digital Health solutions in the post-pandemic world, according to the authors, seeks to help health systems build pathways towards values-based health care.
The authors propose three categories for the transformation of the value of Digital Health:
- Delivery of digital care or telehealth: The direct care interaction between a patient and a provider, commonly known as a “virtual visit”.
- digital access: The use of online, virtual, or other digital means to gain admission to a health care system or provider, typically focusing on programming and introduction to a health system.
- digital monitoring– Engages technology and the means for patients and providers to maintain the digital bond as they move through their care journey, with a focus on chronic conditions.
One of the positive aspects of the pandemic has been the great boost that the adoption of Digital Health has had. “Digital health is not a new type of medicine, but a new health service delivery mechanism. In the future, the authors hope that, just as "telebanking" has become banking, or "teleconferencing" has become conferencing, "digital health care" will simply become "health care," the authors conclude. .
Continue reading at the following link: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/pop.2021.0031
