The Future of Swiss Healthcare: A Call for Innovation and Collaboration

A system under pressure: The need for transformation

Switzerland’s healthcare system faces major challenges: an ageing population, increasing complexity in patient care, growing demand for medical services and escalating treatment costs. Without decisive action, both financial sustainability and service quality are at risk. However, in the face of these challenges, there is an opportunity. Digital transformation can enhance efficiency, improve patient care, and reduce costs. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering an integrated healthcare system, Switzerland can establish a resilient, efficient, and patient-centred system that continues to set global benchmarks.

Technology as a catalyst for progress

The evolution of artificial intelligence, big data, digital health platforms, and robotics is revolutionising healthcare worldwide. These developments are optimising diagnostics, streamlining treatment pathways, and enhancing patient outcomes. However, Switzerland lags behind in integrating these technologies fully into daily medical practice.
To maintain its leadership in healthcare, Switzerland must accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions. This requires not only substantial investment in technology but also regulatory frameworks that support innovation while ensuring patient data security and privacy.

Empowering patients and healthcare professionals

Healthcare is fundamentally about people. A modernised system must:

• empower patients with excellent access to health data, transparency, and control over their own care
• equip healthcare professionals with digital tools that reduce administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on patient outcomes
• invest in education and training to ensure that medical professionals possess the necessary digital competencies to navigate an increasingly technology-driven landscape.

Without adequate investment in digital literacy, even the most advanced healthcare solutions will struggle to realise their full potential.

Collaboration: The key to sustainable progress

No single institution can drive this transformation alone. Sustainable progress requires effective contributions from and collaboration between:

• healthcare providers
• insurers
• pharmaceutical and life sciences companies
• technology firms
• academic institutions, and
• government authorities.

By working together, these stakeholders can foster a culture of innovation, ensure sustainable financing, and implement policies that meet the evolving needs of both patients and professionals.

Switzerland’s position in global digital healthcare

Switzerland currently ranks 14th in the Global Digital Healthcare Index (GDHI) —behind nations such as Estonia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, and Spain. While Switzerland’s healthcare infrastructure is robust, it must accelerate its digital transformation to stay ahead of the curve.

Switzerland’s neighbours are at similar places in the rankings: Austria (10th), Italy (12th), France (15th), and Germany (16th). If Switzerland aspires to maintain its position as a global leader, it must adopt a proactive strategic approach to digitalisation thanks to an active collaboration between its main healthcare stakeholders.

Key trends in digital healthcare

The digital transformation of healthcare is being driven by several major trends:

• Electronic health records: these are the foundation of modern medicine, enabling efficiency, reducing unnecessary data duplication, and enhancing collaboration
• Artificial intelligence and robotics: enhancing diagnostics, virtual patient care and surgical precision
• E-health, telemedicine, and mobile health: expanding access to remote and personalised care, redefining patient–doctor interactions
• Process standardisation and automation: streamlining workflows to reduce costs and improve service delivery
• Wearables and remote monitoring: enabling continual health tracking, preventive care, and personalised treatments
• Advanced data analytics: integrating diverse data sources for real-time patient insights and improved decision-making
• Home as an extension of the hospital: shifting some aspects of acute and chronic care to home settings, alleviating the burden on hospitals while improving patient comfort.

These trends present opportunities for Switzerland to modernise its healthcare system while enhancing accessibility and efficiency.

Key challenges to overcome

Despite the clear benefits of digitalisation, several structural and operational challenges must be addressed:

• Cybersecurity and data protection: ensuring that sensitive patient information is secure against cyber threats
• System interoperability and integration: overcoming fragmented digital infrastructures to enable seamless exchange of data across the healthcare ecosystem
• Data trust and transparency: addressing patient concerns about data privacy and ethical usage, to encourage participation in digital health initiatives
• Workforce and digital skills gap: ensuring that healthcare professionals and patients acquire the digital competencies required to use the emerging technologies. Meeting these challenges successfully will require strategic leadership, regulatory support, and industry-wide cooperation.

Public perception: Swiss attitudes towards digital healthcare

A Deloitte survey of 1,045 Swiss citizens (February 2025) provides valuable insights into public sentiment:

• 60% of survey respondents believe that digitalisation is essential for the future of healthcare.
• 70% consider electronic patient records the most valuable digital innovation.
• 50% expect digital transformation to contribute to cost reduction.
• 70% express data security and privacy concerns.
• 50% advocate strong government involvement in digital healthcare initiatives.
• 70% emphasise the need for collaboration among healthcare stakeholders.
• 90% reject the idea of increased insurance premiums to finance digitalisation efforts.

These findings underscore the importance of balancing innovation with security and affordability to ensure public trust and adoption.

A call to action: The future of Swiss healthcare

Switzerland has an opportunity to reshape its healthcare system for the digital era. The need for transformation is clear, and the benefits—efficiency, improved patient outcomes, and long-term cost savings—are undeniable.

However, success will require:

• strategic leadership to drive digital innovation,
• cross-sector collaboration to implement meaningful reforms
• commitment to data security and regulatory clarity to foster public trust.

By embracing digitalisation, Switzerland can secure its position as a global leader in healthcare. The time to act is now—through innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to build a healthcare system that is both technologically advanced and patient-centered.

Please find more insights on promoting digital transformation in healthcare here.

Authors

• Dr. Marcel Thom, Partner, Health Insurance Lead Switzerland
• Rebecca Roj, Senior Consultant, Engineering, AI & Data