Report highlights how Australia can accelerate shift to value-based care

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the publication of its Future Health Index 2019 report in Australia, titled ‘Transforming healthcare experiences: Exploring the impact of digital health technology on healthcare professionals and patients’.

The report reflects independent research, commissioned by Philips, which highlights how Australia can accelerate the shift from volume-based to value-based care in the drive for a more sustainable healthcare system.

Now in its fourth year, the report focuses on the role digital health technology plays in improving both the individual citizen and the healthcare professional experience – two elements of the ‘Quadruple Aim’ in healthcare. 

One of the topics explored in the Future Health Index is how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive efficiencies in the healthcare system, beyond operational tasks. The data shows that while healthcare professionals in Australia are using AI for some tasks, it must move beyond patient and staff scheduling. In fact, 57 percent have indicated that they are comfortable using AI for this purpose, while only a third or less are comfortable using the technology to action treatment plans (33 percent), or for diagnostic purposes (27 percent). Increasing the use of AI will improve healthcare outcomes for Australians and assist healthcare professionals to focus on providing more value-based care. 

“There is significant potential for AI to transform the healthcare system in Australia. To realise this potential, the use of the technology needs to move beyond functional tasks into spaces where it can have a more profound impact on both the healthcare professional and patient experience, including diagnosis and treatment,” said Matt Moran, Managing Director of Philips Australia and New Zealand. “Technology has a huge role to play in supporting healthcare, and with technology comes better health outcomes. As Australia stands at the digital health tipping point, the deployment of these technologies to support cost-effective care with more accurate treatment decisions is central to delivering better value for the Australian health system.”

Two of the other topics identified in the Future Health Index 2019 report include: 

Telehealth: an untapped tool for healthcare professionals

Telehealth has clear benefits for Australia with a geographically dispersed population. Yet, this year’s report highlights that there is more potential to unlock the benefits of telehealth in Australia. 56 percent of Australians say they are discouraged from visiting a healthcare professional even when they have a medical reason to go. With telehealth, this could be improved and create a better healthcare experience for patients. In support of this, nearly half of Australian healthcare professionals have seen telehealth positively impact their patients’ experience in the last five years. 

“While Australian healthcare professionals are more likely to say that their patients’ experience has been positively impacted by telehealth in recent years, healthcare professionals in Australia are less open to using this technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access most likely driven by a lack of suitable reimbursment models,” Matt Moran continued. “Broader healthcare professional use of telehealth is needed to fully unlock its benefits and improve overall patient care.”

Empowered patients – access to data, more control 

The Future Health Index indicates that giving patients access to their own health data makes them more likely to engage with it in a way that will improve the quality of care they receive and their overall healthcare experience. Of Australians that have access to their Digital Health Records, over half rate themselves as proactive when it comes to their health. Those who don’t have access to their record are less likely to rate themselves as such. However, people need to be clear on how to use their data, with a third of those who have access more likely to use it if they knew it could make managing their health easier. 

“In Australia, while some individuals are hesitant, many want to be empowered and have access to their digital health records,” said Matt Moran. “The benefits of this access are clear with patients feeling more empowered and in control of their health journey.” 

The Future Health Index 2019 has indicated that putting the patient at the centre of the healthcare experience will deliver better health outcomes, lowering the cost of care and supporting Australia to accelerate the move towards value-based care. 

Since 2016, Philips has conducted original research to help determine the readiness of countries to address global health challenges and build efficient and effective health systems.  Details on the methodology and a full list of sources are available here.