The role of digital health in the future of integrated care

Abstract

The incorporation of technology in healthcare is essential to driving an integrated model of care - one which is holistic, patient-centred, and shows clear communication between different specialities, providers, and levels of care. This is gaining support from doctors and patients alike and moving healthcare from reactive to preventative. Advances in technology and healthcare have led to explosive growth in virtual consultations, remote monitoring mobile health, digital therapeutics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning applied to health. Not only have their adoption led to more integrated care systems, but also more cost effective, efficient, and higher quality ones at scale. The role and importance of digital health in integrated care has never been greater. The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed trials of a variety of new technologies and created a foundation for digital health to drive integrated care. This up-to-date review discusses the latest developments, challenges, opportunities, and future potential of digital health in integrated care. Understanding this field is critical as we work towards a fully integrated model of care – the validation and adoption of new medical advances, using critical insights from health information, and optimising specialists and providers for patient-centred, high-quality, cost-effective care.