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Digital Health Technologies: A Game Changer in Healthcare

Raphael Itah, Director of Digital Health, Axios International

15th March 2023

In recent years, digital health technologies have revolutionized how healthcare is delivered, providing patients with access to faster, more efficient, and more convenient care.

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Machine Learning (ML) to telemedicine, these technologies can potentially improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase access to care for people worldwide.

In essence, AI simulates human intelligence and allows to process large amounts of apparently unconnected data by machines, especially computer systems. In healthcare, AI and ML solutions have increasingly become a part of the healthcare ecosystem and are transforming how healthcare is delivered. Also, since healthcare data is often fragmented and is present in various formats, by using AI and machine learning technologies, organizations can connect disparate data to get a more unified picture of the individuals behind the data. Likewise, machine learning is used to help medical professionals care for patients and manage clinical data.

With the help of machine power, we can provide user-centric experiences. Healthcare organizations can find insights faster and more accurately through improved efficiency in operations.

Telemedicine is also being increasingly used to allow doctors to make more data-driven, real-time decisions that may improve the patient experience and health outcomes by enabling them to work more toward virtual care alternatives throughout the care continuum. A case in point is how Covid-19 played a catalytic role in the increasing use of telemedicine during this time.

Predicting health outcomes

Another game-changing use of technology in healthcare is for predicting health outcomes. In medicine, AI is also deployed in predictive analytics to explore patient datasets and forecast the likelihood of certain diseases/disorders, which benefits both the patients and healthcare providers.

Healthcare digitalization can, thus, play an instrumental role in improving accessibility by complementing and even enhancing physical systems. It shifts the focus toward patient-centric care systems and helps healthcare providers make more strategic, informed decisions reaching patients wherever they are to provide better-quality care.

In the patient journey, predictive analysis is instrumental in the healthcare system and our ability to provide tailored comfortable patient care. Thanks to AI and ML, we can anticipate the influx of people, which in turn can support care center decision-makers in allocating the right healthcare staff to the right place at the right time.

With a focus on giving sustainable access to healthcare to patients, Axios International has created a comprehensive suite of digital tools that connect all stakeholders based on more than 25 years of specialized experience designing and managing Patient Support Programs (PSPs). Through the integrated Axios+ ecosystem, all parties communicate, interact, and work together to maximize patient support and health outcomes.

The conceptualization, development, and roll-out of Axios+ digital tools follow a traditional approach that involves a multi-stakeholder collaboration that strives towards a connected ecosystem and patient-centricity. The focus is then shifted to customizing the solution with global know-how to adapt to the local context and ensuring it is adopted across the value chain.

Axios+ aims to improve the medical outcomes of treatment by making it easy for patients to track and manage their therapy while facilitating and expediting the PSP referral process for physicians and the medication dispensing process for pharmacists.
Already, Axios+ has been rolled out in 22 countries and has impacted more than 14,500 patients in 90 programs. Over 3,140 physicians and 1,155 referring hospitals have used Axios+ so far. A recent Axios case study also shows that patients can get treatment up to 52 percent faster, allowing healthcare professionals to spend more time with more patients, eventually increasing their access to treatment.

Considering the healthcare disparities across the different countries regarding access to technology, education, or policies and framework, Axios+ Patient Management System remains the core of the Axios digital ecosystem, bridging patients to healthcare systems by going beyond healthcare facilities. However, multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for improving access to treatment. All parties involved must want and be ready to transform into digital healthcare and start embracing the change.

As part of its strategy, Axios International already partners and seeks further collaboration with large digital companies and tech disruptors to build interconnectivity and help support patients in fulfilling their treatment journey with the ease and care they need. However, it is essential to note that digital is just an enabler that facilitates high interaction and engagement to support patients. The ecosystem must support and simplify human interactions rather than replace them.