Digital Transformation Process in the Healthcare Sector and Patient-Centered Approach
Digital transformation in the healthcare sector aims to enhance the quality of patient care through electronic medical records and artificial intelligence integration.
Digital transformation efforts implemented in the healthcare sector aim to enhance patient care safety and quality by reducing operational procedures through electronic medical record systems, artificial intelligence integration, and data sharing.
Main Objectives of Digital Transformation
The digital transformation process in the healthcare sector is not limited to just digitizing records; it also encompasses reducing procedures and improving patient care safety. When data is interconnected, citizens can access information much more easily.
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the primary goal of the transformation is to build a smarter hospital and ensure safe patient care.
Electronic Medical Record Applications
At the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, electronic records are considered the first step toward a paperless process. Meanwhile, Bach Mai Hospital has implemented this system to lower costs and facilitate access to information.
At Thu Duc General Hospital, the time required for doctors to complete paper records has dropped to approximately 30 minutes thanks to the electronic system, giving doctors more time for consultations.
Inter-Hospital Data Sharing
An electronic medical record system is implemented in all public hospitals in Hanoi, and data is managed in connection with city registries.
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, states that thanks to information sharing between facilities, patients do not need to resubmit their data.
Process Monitoring and Data Dashboards
The data dashboard system used at Thu Duc General Hospital monitors examination, testing, and waiting times, enabling the hospital to identify bottlenecks.
Thanks to properly utilized data, patients experience shorter waiting times and a clearer service process.
Artificial Intelligence-Powered Healthcare Services
While artificial intelligence does not replace doctors, it helps them process large amounts of information and detect abnormal symptoms more quickly.
Institutions such as Bach Mai Hospital and Hanoi Oncology Hospital are conducting artificial intelligence initiatives in areas such as lung cancer and lesion detection.
Patient-Centricity as the Ultimate Goal
The treatment process should not rely solely on the name of the disease, but should also take into account individual characteristics such as the patient's genetic factors and responses to medications.
The fundamental and ultimate goal of all these technological innovations and data integrations is always the patient themselves.