Juniper’s latest research into Digital Health has found that ageing populations mean more home-based care is needed. The corresponding digital health deliverable systems allow medical adherence or remote patient monitoring. Unhealthy lifestyles lead both to the increase in chronic diseases, but also create a need for targeted information and education.
A Shift in Healthcare Model
One of the most significant changes in the structure of the healthcare industry is the move to accountable care. Chronic illnesses, including diabetes and renal failure, can be monitored at the patient’s home. The benefits include 24 hour monitoring, a greater degree of accuracy and less need for the patient to travel which, in turn, reduces stress.
Throughout the developed world the healthcare sector is moving towards accountable care, where healthcare and wellness initiatives are mapped directly to positive outcomes. This is embraced in the US reform of the healthcare system through the Affordable Care Act, with subsidised costs for poorer residents and imposing stricter laws on the provision of healthcare.
Rise of the Healthcare Apps
As consumers have become more aware of their own personal health, there has been a wave of apps and hardware targeted at educating patients on aspects of their own healthcare including monitoring devices and information services. Juniper’s latest research found that there will be over 150 million individuals worldwide turning to mobile applications, web portals and SMS services to receive their healthcare information in 2020.