The COVID pandemic has already changed the way the world looks at healthcare. In just a few short months, the virus has caused hospitals around the globe to overflow with patients, and governments have been forced to make some tough decisions about how to handle the outbreak. As we continue to battle this global pandemic, it’s essential to consider how COVID might change healthcare forever.
As we face an uncertain future regarding COVID, it’s important to remember that there may be some positive changes on the horizon for healthcare. These changes could include a greater appreciation for primary care, reliance on technology in hospitals, and increased government investment in healthcare initiatives. Whatever happens, we can be sure that the COVID pandemic will have a lasting impact on how we approach healthcare. Here are the possibilities:
The world might finally recognize the importance of primary care.
In countries like the United States, where healthcare is often seen as a privilege, people have long been conditioned to believe that they need to go to a specialist for every medical issue. This mentality has led to an overuse of specialty care, which has driven up the cost of healthcare. The COVID pandemic could be the wake-up call that we need to start valuing primary care more. Once people realize how important it is to have a good relationship with a general practitioner, who can help them stay healthy and manage chronic conditions, we might see a shift towards more preventive care. This would lead to lower overall costs for healthcare systems around the world.
Hospitals might start to rely more on technology.
Hospitals have been largely reliant on human caregivers to provide care for patients in the past. However, with COVID putting such a strain on hospital resources, many facilities are starting to explore new ways to use technology to improve patient care. For example, some hospitals use robots to deliver medication and supplies, and others use artificial intelligence software to help doctors diagnose patients. As we continue to face ever-growing numbers of COVID patients, hospitals will likely become even more reliant on technology to cope.
In countries like South Korea, a digital firm released software that is helping in the early diagnosis and assessment of COVID. The software can also detect, segment, and produce 3D images detailing lung damage caused by the virus. The nation has also been utilizing contact following in battling the COVID episode through portable innovations, such as GPS, cellphone poles, and AI-fueled massive information investigation to help the public authority comprehend and deal with the spread of COVID inside their networks.
African countries have not been left behind with technological advancement to fight COVID. The South African government has been using WhatsApp to debunk myths about the virus and pass on the relevant information.
These technological trends in healthcare that brought about the pandemic are not going anywhere. Governments will continue reaching out to technologies to safeguard their people not only against COVID but other ailments too.
Governments might start to invest more in healthcare.
Governments worldwide have been struggling to come up with the money to fund healthcare initiatives during the COVID pandemic. However, as the crisis continues, it’s becoming increasingly clear that investing in healthcare is a wise decision. In countries like South Korea, where the government has made a concerted effort to invest in its healthcare system, officials see impressive results. As mentioned prior, a digital firm released software that is helping in the early diagnosis of COVID. This type of software could be precious in countries struggling to cope with the pandemic.
Healthcare systems might become more centralized.
Up until now, healthcare has been largely decentralized, with each country having its system for providing medical care. However, as the COVID pandemic spreads, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a centralized system might be more efficient. For example, China has quickly mobilized resources and personnel to deal with the pandemic because all medical care is centralized under one government agency. Other countries might explore similar models to better respond to future outbreaks.
Acceleration of telemedicine by a decade.
Telemedicine uses technology to provide medical care remotely, and it has been growing in popularity in recent years. However, due to the COVID pandemic, many healthcare providers are starting to explore it more seriously to improve patient care. As we continue to face ever-growing numbers of COVID patients, hospitals will likely become even more reliant on telemedicine to cope. Read more about the application and benefits of telemedicine in our blog post The Future of Telemedicine in HealthCare.
Inpatient rehabilitation is the right setting for medically complex patients.
The COVID pandemic has caused many people to rethink how healthcare is delivered. One area that is seeing a lot of change is inpatient rehabilitation. Before the pandemic, it was believed that sicker patients could not stand long hours of therapy. However, as hospitals worldwide struggle to cope with increasing numbers of COVID patients, this idea is starting to change. Inpatient rehabilitation centers are now seen as the right setting for medically complex patients who need intensive care and therapy. This shift could significantly impact how healthcare is delivered in the future.
There will be a continued focus on mental health, and not just for patients with COVID-19.
One positive outcome of the COVID pandemic is that it has drawn attention to the importance of mental health. Before the pandemic, mental health was often neglected. However, as people worldwide grapple with the effects of the pandemic, it’s becoming increasingly clear that mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, for some patients, mental health may be more important than physical health. Countries worldwide will need to invest in their mental healthcare systems to address this issue adequately.
Telehealth will continue to be an option for the suitable patients and circumstances.
The COVID pandemic has shown that telehealth is an essential tool that can address the healthcare needs of patients. Telehealth allows doctors to provide care to patients remotely, which can be especially valuable in cases where patients are unable to leave their homes. In addition, telehealth can help reduce costs and improve access to care. Countries worldwide will need to invest in their telehealth systems to take advantage of its benefits.
The way we think about health is going to change.
The COVID pandemic has shown us that the way we think about health will have to change. Before the pandemic, most people viewed health as a narrow path, thinking of it only as of the absence of disease. However, as we learn more about COVID and other conditions, it’s becoming increasingly clear that health is much more than just the absence of illness. To address the challenges posed by future outbreaks, we will need to rethink our approach to healthcare and come up with new ways of thinking about health.
These are just some of how the COVID pandemic could change healthcare forever. The possibilities are endless, and countries worldwide will need to adapt their healthcare systems to respond to the challenges posed by this pandemic.
