The experience of long and frustrating waits at medical facilities, whether in the Emergency Department or for routine screenings, has been a shared frustration for many. However, the future of healthcare is poised to change this narrative, shifting the focus from hospitals to homes or local clinics. With the rise of remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, patients can now receive care and advice without the need for in-person visits.
Individuals requiring chronic care, such as those with diabetes or ongoing heart issues, can benefit from healthcare professionals regularly monitoring their vital signs virtually. Patients recovering from hospitalization can be discharged to recuperate at home, all while being closely monitored through wearable sensors that track vital metrics like heart rate and blood pressure.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in highlighting the potential of telemedicine and remote care. It underscored the efficiency and safety offered by digital healthcare alternatives. However, to optimize these options for the future, healthcare systems must adapt to the concept of a “hospital without walls.”
Efficient Utilization of Hospital Resources
The future of healthcare aims to address real-world challenges. Singapore is on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged” society by 2026, with 21 percent of its population aged 65 and above. This demographic shift will inevitably lead to increased demand for healthcare services, putting immense strain on the healthcare system. The pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in the system, particularly the burnout among healthcare workers, exacerbating manpower shortages.
Efforts to shift some healthcare duties away from hospitals into clinics and home-based care can help alleviate the burden on healthcare workers and ensure more efficient use of hospital resources such as beds, medical personnel, and equipment. This approach allows hospitals to provide immediate and intensive support to those in need.
Three Key Elements for Shifting Care Beyond Hospitals
- Infrastructure: Singapore’s forward-thinking approach led to the centralization of patient data over a decade ago. The National Electronic Health Record system (NEHR) now involves over 2,300 healthcare institutions, consolidating patients’ crucial health information. This ensures continuity of care and enables patients to continue treatment with their family doctor after being discharged from the hospital. The NEHR system also facilitates early discharge by allowing patients to return for follow-up tests in a few days, rather than staying admitted for extended periods.
- Talent and Education: To deliver effective home care, healthcare professionals require upskilling and training. Innovations in healthcare tech, such as artificial intelligence-powered tools, can streamline the training process. For instance, research conducted by the SingHealth cluster using Us2.ai, a Singapore-founded health tech startup, showed that individuals with no prior experience could be trained to perform accurate heart scans in just two weeks. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort required for certain medical procedures.
- Funding: Shifting the focus of the healthcare system beyond hospital walls necessitates substantial funding for new programs and subsidizing patient costs. Primary Care Networks, comprising polyclinics and general practitioner clinics, are increasingly responsible for outpatient care. New technologies and initiatives undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure that out-of-hospital care can deliver outcomes comparable to in-hospital care, all while improving efficiency.
Singapore’s healthcare system, already recognized as robust, must continue to evolve to meet the evolving needs of an aging population. By embracing technology, fostering talent, and securing funding, Singapore is paving the way for a future of healthcare that places patients at the center and optimizes resources for the well-being of all.
