IoT, Big data key to overcoming healthcare bottlenecks by 2025: Survey

Funding and access to healthcare are the two biggest roadblocks globally preventing the development of a more efficient and effective healthcare infrastructure, according to a new survey of healthcare professionals by Polycom.

The study, which polled more than 1,200 healthcare industry professionals from around the world, revealed that respondents from APAC (20%) and EMEA (30%) believe that an aging population poses the greatest challenge to healthcare in 2025; while heavy demand on health service infrastructure was the biggest strain on the industry in North America.

The study also found that technology developments such as mobile, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big data, offers the most promising way to overcome healthcare bottlenecks by 2025.

“However, in order to achieve this goal, senior technologists must take a seat at the boardroom table to ensure technology is integrated correctly, so as to achieve the digital transformation needed to move from treating only the sick to prevention and wellness,” the study said.

When asked about the largest inhibitors to achieving a better healthcare future, most respondents, regardless of the geography, identified funding, access to healthcare and lack of government support as key inhibitors.

“Healthcare delivery is evidently shifting in light of challenges such as physician shortages and rapidly aging societies, and requires digital transformation in order to cope with the pressures placed on the industry,” said Ron Emerson, Global Director, Healthcare at Polycom. “In recent years, it has become clear that technology holds the key to the future of healthcare. The survey findings highlight how the industry can best integrate and utilise game-changing technological developments, to accelerate telemedicine or telehealth applications, to maximize its potential and realise new models of care delivery by 2025.”

Many respondents were cautiously optimistic with regard to regulators, believing that government agencies are already in the process of amending their policies in response to rapid innovations within the healthcare landscape. Conversely, a significant number of respondents expressed no confidence at all, specifically North America (46%), South East Asia (43%) and Australia (39%).

The survey also found that in general, respondents’ viewpoints correlated with the current political, economic and social (PES) climate in their respective countries around healthcare. For one, the mobile revolution has catapulted millions into the digital age, with people in rural areas now using smartphones for services previously not available to them – such as e-commerce and data logging.

Healthcare professionals globally are convinced that technology, such as personal health monitoring devices and video collaboration solutions, will play a vital role in creating a positive healthcare future. According to the survey, by 2025 primary care will be accessible to all citizens, regardless of distance thanks to the increased availability of broadband, mobile devices and applications.

Additionally, 63% of respondents agreed that virtual healthcare services to homes will be a realistic scenario in 2025 due to technology advancements. These would include virtual outpatient services, as well as remote diagnosis for the elderly and physically disabled, amongst others.

Based on industry figures, there are less than 10% of non-executive directors across APAC’s top 20 listed companies who have deep technological experience. When technology and telecommunication boards are excluded, this figure drops to less than 5%. The report believes that the healthcare industry follows a similar pattern.

In addition, there is also a need for the industry to increase focus on preventive models of healthcare that reduce hospitalisation and treatment cost – it is definitely more efficient to move information than to move people. This means collaboration across the extended care team, as well as with the patient and family, is critical. However, this can’t be done effectively without underlying technology support.