Digital Healthcare: Falling Behind Comes at a Cost
DMEA 2025* has once again emphasised the need for action in the healthcare sector.
Digitalisation and emerging technologies are increasingly playing a significant role in improving patient outcomes. Despite administrative challenges, the potential of digital solutions to enhance efficiency is evident. There is high demand for optimisation and improved efficiency. The digitalisation journey requires clear strategies for data, cloud, and AI, targeted investment in new technologies, and compliance with data privacy and security regulations.
What are the current challenges of the healthcare industry?
The current challenges in the healthcare industry are diverse. Providers such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, and pharmacies face complex tasks that must consider demographic changes, new technologies, and increasing regulatory pressure. Financial constraints necessitate cost-effective solutions and prioritisation of efficiency. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled workers, which requires expanding the talent pool and providing appropriate training and development opportunities. Old IT systems need replacement, and data interoperability must be improved to reduce the significant administrative burden.
What healthcare providers need to do now?
Healthcare providers need to act now to remain competitive. Technological innovations are advancing rapidly, transforming the industry extensively. Most providers are still at the beginning of their digitalisation journey and feel the pressure to choose the right strategies for data, cloud, and AI, and invest in suitable solutions. To start, define your overall digital strategy, choose the best cloud approach, and prioritise initial AI applications. Pilot AI projects can provide valuable experience to enhance efficiency and secure long-term competitiveness. Data governance and data security must be considered at every step.
The gap between digital transformation leaders and those yet to start is widening. Successful providers are acting now to stay competitive.
The gap between those healthcare providers that are ahead of the curve in the digital transformation and those who have not yet started is widening. Over time, it becomes more expensive and riskier to catch up. Successful healthcare providers are acting now to stay competitive.
Annieck de Vocht, Healthcare Sector Leader, Deloitte Switzerland
*Digital Medical Expertise & Applications (DMEA) is Europe's leading Digital Health Conference and Trade Fair, providing a crucial platform for industry-wide exchange and targeted networking. From April 8-10, 2025, experts from the digital health industry gathered in Berlin to network, exchange information, and share knowledge about new products and trends in digital health. The event offers an excellent opportunity to be inspired, delve deeper into digitalisation, and take away relevant ideas for one's own digital agenda.
