The role of digitalisation in the Swiss healthcare system

The Swiss healthcare system – like healthcare systems in other countries – is being put under pressure from various environmental and internal challenges.

A population that is growing larger and older, as well as the increasing number of people with chronic diseases, a shortage of skilled personnel and the pandemics are some of the most important factors for which both healthcare costs and health insurance premiums are rising continuously and are causing longer waiting times.

Digitalisation could play a fundamental role here in shaping the healthcare system of the future.

According to the most recent Deloitte Swiss Digital Government Study, Switzerland is lagging internationally when it comes to the progress of digitalisation. Using this study as a basis, Deloitte Switzerland collaborated with international students as part of their group work for the dual master’s CEMS course of studies at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) around the following questions:

• What are the obstacles to digitalisation in the Swiss healthcare system, and how can they be overcome?
•  What opportunities lie in creating the hospital of tomorrow, and what are the challenges?

Interviews were conducted with various people in different positions in Swiss hospitals and other institutions of the Swiss healthcare system, to gain a deeper understanding of the most important problem areas.

In addition, we have elaborated recommendations on how a digital strategy could be integrated into the various institutions so that the future needs of the various stakeholder groups in the Swiss healthcare system can be addressed.