-- New York: March 8, 2021 – Consultant and author Etan Walls believes the pandemic has placed a firm onus on digital healthcare – but who is likely to be the driver and the passenger in the drive to revolutionize for a smarter health care system tomorrow?
Walls, Principal of Strong Walls Consulting and previously COO of the US’ largest independent outpatient pediatric group, has some critical reflections on the problem and acknowledges there could be a paradigm shift.
Author of soon-to-be-released The Mega Factory of Healthcare, he commented: “As a child when I was traveling with my family, my father’s memorable refrain would be: “We only go as fast as the slowest person.” No matter how slow they traveled, the family inevitably got to their destination.
In the same refrain, 2019 saw many bemoaning the slow adoption of technology within the healthcare sector, with the rider from those in the know: “This doesn’t work for my patients.”
Walls counters change in the healthcare IT landscape is certainly moving “as fast as the slowest person,” but not as rapid as the profession or the patient wants.
Telemedicine and remote care tools are held up as the case study for COVID-19 digital health care delivery achievement. A survey conducted by Morning Consult and sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance of more than 1,000 seniors found 52% are comfortable using telehealth for their healthcare, 30% uncomfortable, and another 18% unsure. 91% said they had a favorable experience with telehealth, and 78% added they plan to do so again.
Yet Fair Health reported increased telehealth claims by 3,060% nationally from October 2019 to October 2020. Data like this has led experts worldwide to point to COVID-19 as the turning point for digital health.
He added. “The reality is that COVID-19 necessitated a shift to telemedicine and remote health. Now the convenience is here, why give it up. EMR adoption took congressional intervention and cash payments. Ultimately, the specter of a global pandemic forced the adoption of telemedicine and remote care.
“The last decade has shown an immense change in the landscape of healthcare. Urgent care flourished, primary care physicians saw ever declining visit volumes, and consolidation ruled the day.
“While this immense change happened, we learned two important lessons: when presented with options, the patient most likely will take the easiest, and change in healthcare only happens for a reason.”
He said: “As we applaud the COVID-19 for rapidly changing the landscape and our newfound desire to change, did anyone ask the physicians? My point is, are they ready to take the next steps into true digital health?
“Just like the family vacations of my youth, Healthcare will get there eventually. But who will drive the change, the patient or the physician? Are we ready if it is the former and not the latter?” he concluded.
For more, you can visit his blog: https://strongwallsconsulting.com/as-fast-as-the-slowest-person.html
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