- At present, it is no longer necessary for the medical care service to be face-to-face.
- It is estimated that now 90% of patients search for doctors through the internet.
- Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of digital services has increased.
In recent years the heyday of the internet has completely transformed all daily activities. At the same time, the technology also has other implications such as facilitating access to health. To achieve this, tools such as telemedicine, mobile health and electronic health records have been essential.
In that vein, the Covid-19 pandemic triggered the adoption of new technologies for people to adapt to social distancing. For this reason, the digital model has acquired greater relevance in our days. The Internet has opened the doors to access to health, medical care and information to overcome geographical barriers. It has also collaborated in expanding coverage and improving continuity of care, while promoting transparency in decision-making.
Recent changes in the healthcare model
For example, in the event that it is not possible to attend a face-to-face medical appointment, either due to lack of availability, because the schedule is not adjusted or because they do not have medical insurance, the patient can make an appointment online, in the schedule that suits you and with the doctor of your choice. For their part, health professionals and clinics optimize their services with software oriented towards programming, efficiency, evaluation of the medical consultation and time management for both the doctor and the patient.
Now there are platforms like Doctoralia that offers physicians benefits such as greater visibility in the digital environment. Also an online agenda where they can manage appointments and direct communication with patients whom they can attend and resolve their health doubts. For their part, clinics and hospitals improve their attention to the public through agenda and automated call management. In the end, the one who receives the greatest benefits is the patient.
A customer experience survey conducted by PwC reports that 90% of patients look for internet specialists86% of Mexican patients expect special attention when it comes to health services and 80% of users choose a specialist based on the opinions of other patients.
However, we cannot ignore the challenges that still exist in universal access to health in the digital environment. In its 2020 report, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) points out that there is still an access gap that deepens inequalities, mainly economic and social, due to the lack of internet connection, which limits electronic health services.
For his part, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) reported that, in Mexico, from 2013 to 2020, the fixed internet access service reached 62 out of every 100 households and the mobile service reached 80 out of every 100 inhabitants. Although this has contributed to more efficient medical care for patients, there is still a lag in the use and knowledge of digital media in our country.
It is necessary to overcome challenges such as access to health, scope, timely care, as well as raising awareness about the importance of new technologies for the benefit of health.
In conclusion, greater collaboration between public and private entities and the academy is essential to make digital transformation processes more agile, taking into account that the patient must be the center of the decisions made in the healthcare ecosystem. health around new technologies.
Technology can be a pillar to facilitate access to health and improve the way you work. It is all thanks to the most efficient models to save time and increase the number of people who receive the service.