Canada is undergoing a transformation in their healthcare. The entire industry is being changed because of the global pandemic. Government, public health organizations, health providers, agencies, and others are looking to the future for their global healthcare trends. There are a number of game-changers in Canada that are driven by technology and information. Here are the top emerging Canadian healthcare trends.
Clouds for Healthcare
Clouds have been big in the data and computing worlds for the past several years. Now, healthcare clouds are hoping to create a paradigm shift in the industry. This will allow physicians and other medical workers to access information and store it in a secure way while also making it more flexible and efficient. Healthcare clouds will drive the push for more electronic medical records. This will allow consumers to access their personal health records more easily. They will have more control and visibility over their personal health information. The clouds may also drive different healthcare platforms.
Analytics in Healthcare
Canada has a growing health record network, which means they will need higher-quality and innovative analytics for the healthcare practitioners. They are able to include measurement of the system’s efficiency, while also providing more accurate health outcomes and treatment plans. Health analytics will be paired with data visualization to provide more personalized decision making for individual patients while also helping the industry to shift to higher quality care and lower costs. They are focused on prevention and health monitoring to prevent and treat chronic illnesses.
New Forms of Payment
As the healthcare industry has begun to converge with data, there will be more opportunities for lower costs and different funding models. They may be linked to patients outcomes throughout Canada and globally. These new funding models will be focused on reaching specific health targets while creating adjustments for quality outcomes.
Using Tablets in Doctor’s Offices
Many physicians and other healthcare workers will start to employ tablet computers to integrate technology into their practice. This will allow immediate access to electronic medical records. They will also be easy to use for physicians while also providing longer battery life. This is perfect for use during the pandemic because it will allow physicians to have conversations visually through the video technology to create a more engaging user experience while still practicing social distancing.
Mobile Health
Mobile technology and apps are so integrated into everyday life that many people consider their phones an extension of themselves. Canada is focusing on developing apps that will provide more health-related information. Some are focused on creating a more efficient and simplified diabetes management plan. For instance, it will allow people to see the record of their sugar levels and glucose reading while also allowing them to share information with their physician. It will allow healthcare and the mobile apps to become more sophisticated, encouraging consumers to change their behavior because it will be easier to monitor what they are doing and their information. It will also be a way to reach their doctors and other providers in real-time without having to schedule an in-person visit.
Hospitals at Home
Many in Canada are looking for more effective healthcare and lower costs. Many are pushing for a hospital at home approach where people will be able to get their diagnosis at home. Many will be eligible if they have the technology. The advances in technology will allow physicians and other specialists to treat postsurgical recovery and chronic conditions at home. There may even be room to complete diagnostics at home with the proper technology. The trend is specifically focused on reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections while providing their patients with more comfort and mental wellbeing.
Regionalization
The global pandemic has revealed that Canada’s integrated care networks are the way to create a more efficient and economic healthcare industry. The larger systems of the different regions will allow the healthcare industry to become more integrated while providing a greater standard of care.
