5th January 2023
Where do patients go when they need care and treatment? Or where do patients go after being diagnosed with a chronic disease? Many of us would immediately think of a hospital or a medical facility. However, that can be costly, as it could involve a long wait, and be ineffective. In addition, it places more burden on an already-overtaxed part of the healthcare system that is still reeling from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic upended the entire health ecosystem. Hospitals had to reassign significant resources, time, and physical space to treat urgent cases. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts by providers, many patients in need of critical care and treatment for chronic diseases were left behind.
A new focus of care outside traditional settings was urgently required to provide access to patients needing post-acute and long-term care. The need of the hour is to develop an ecosystem that brings the necessary multidisciplinary healthcare provisions to the patient instead of bringing the patient to the provider.
Remote care alternatives and the adoption of innovative technology are an ideal combination to ensure adherence to treatment throughout the patient's journey and deliver healthcare quickly. Solutions, including telehealth, remote patient monitoring (RPM), mobile clinics, and artificial intelligence (AI), will effectively treat patients and provide them with quality care from afar.
Improving the patient journey outside the healthcare facilities
Remote services have proven to provide a safe, convenient, and effective way to serve patients outside the hospital environment. Furthermore, it has also recently seen a rise in demand.
In 2019, Axios designed a cross-regional program spanning the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait. The program utilizes a team of government health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, pharmacies, and other stakeholders to help overcome the growing burden on traditional health facilities and help close the patient support gap that exists outside the hospital. The solution is centered around remote and at-home care customized to each patient's needs.
The solution ensures eligible patients receive quality care, and sustainable support from Axios’ experienced, multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals in the most convenient in a conducive setting, either at home, in a facility, or a combination of the two.
Virtual appointments with physiotherapists and nutritionists, delivery of prescribed treatments directly to a patient’s door, and home visits by a multidisciplinary team of specialists are among the many options continuously emerging to offer higher quality care at a better value for both the patient and the healthcare system.
The program has already proven popular among patients and practitioners. During the past two years, 25,000+ patients have been enrolled in the program, while 2,000+ healthcare practitioners have recommended patients and guided them through their treatment journey. Also, over 4,000 specialty medications have been delivered to about 1,400 patients, offering individuals a new way to continue their prescribed treatment without visiting a hospital or pharmacy.
Over 98 percent of patients that received care at home requested value added services during multidisciplinary team visits. In the UAE alone, over 26,000 different services have been conducted for patients during the past two years. Axios Remote Care services include receiving a full nutrition plan, physiotherapy, diagnostic and vaccination services at home, as well as completing IV drips. Axios Home Care is currently available across many countries in the MENA region, with plans for further expansion.
In the past 25 years, Axios' has committed to advocating access solutions that strengthen the healthcare system and maximize medical benefits for patients.
Generating further interest, this year at the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT) 2023, Axios is conducting a scientific program on ‘The Impact of Access on Healthcare Efficiency,’ where Axios will engage and co-create conversations from different perspectives such as regulators, healthcare providers, private companies, societal and patients perspectives that will generate 360-degree point of views aimed at empowering the future of transforming accessibility to healthcare and increasing efficiency.