The volatility of the COVID-19 landscape has persisted in challenging the health industry workforce, illuminating the various inequities that underpin accessibility to healthcare.
The means through which health assistance is provided, and the quality of patient care has evolved, requiring sustained transformation towards the deliverance of an innovative and dynamic virtual care model.
Industry disruption, and an increased demand for remote accessibility to healthcare with consideration to vulnerable and isolated individuals, have presented considerable difficulties in demonstrating adaptability within the current pandemic climate.
Interopable Data
COVID-19 has drawn attention to an issue of emblematic pertinence, wherein healthcare resources, including staffing and the availability of health practitioners, have experienced substantial strain since the emergence of the pandemic, and the evolving requirements of patients.
In response to an increased demand for provisions, organisations within the health industry are transitioning to digital and cloud-based IT systems utilising interoperable data. Such advancements have allowed for the deliverance of patient-focused assistance, and empowerment of patient choice in how they access care.
Transformation in virtual care, including the incorporation of AI in the deliverance of healthcare, have further assisted in meeting the transition to remote assistance. This has strived to ensure that during uncertainty, quality advice is provided whilst providing accessibility to vulnerable and isolated demographics.
Evolving Model of Care
A surge in demand for mental health services within a remote care environment has required healthcare services to encompass both health and wellbeing, rather than exclusively concerning ill health and ailments.
Patients are increasingly in need of healthcare that is available through channels that prioritise their safety. This requires the transformation of services from physical visitation to virtual health with on-demand accessibility and flexibility, with the challenge of ensuring that patient experience is not compromised.
Socioeconomic Disparities
As a consequence of restricted mobility, physical measures of isolation, and disruption to deeply ingrained behaviours incorporated within how people conduct life and work, COVID-19 has significantly contributed to the exacerbation of mental illnesses.
With psychological stress heightened through sporadic lockdowns, and uncertainty in employment security and social interaction, the provision of mental health care services have witnessed a substantial increase in demand. Accessibility is of utmost importance to facilitate proactive decision-making and recovery within all socioeconomic demographics.
Mental health services delivered remotely through telehealth experienced a peak in April 2020, with providers including Lifeline experiencing a 2.9% increase since 2020. This is indicative of the future trends forecasted to impact the healthcare industry, and the need for innovation in delivering healthcare to socioeconomically impeded individuals.
To address these challenges that present themselves in a health landscape so volatile, addressing your staffing needs to relieve strain, and incorporating a viable virtual healthcare model within current operations is crucial to meeting evolving patient demand.
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