Designing a Healthcare Technology Platform Framework for Purpose-Driven Oncology in a Developing Country Healthcare Context (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The rising cases of cancer in India and the unequal care has given rise to large out-of-pocket expenses and late stage of detection of cares, leading to higher mortality rates in many states across rural India. Investing in digital health in resource-constrained countries could provide cancer diagnosis and treatment at affordable costs, improve availability and health outcomes for the citizens. This paper introduces the framework and features of a healthcare technology platform for a developing country to democratise oncology health care services. The framework relies on participatory systems, patient first algorithms and digital health exchange mechanisms. The proposed platform is built on three key pillars of Technology, Managed Healthcare and Advisory, each with a unique value proposition, yet will be complementary, and tries to address specific requirements across the healthcare delivery value chain, thereby, providing a comprehensive solution to the overall problem of the ecosystem. We discuss the application of the framework and usage of curated data and robust workflow and rules engine to enable seamless flow of information across all levels, while bringing close home care to people. We propose that a technology platform, build on a connected care ecosystem, could improve cancer care outcomes in a developing country healthcare context.

A Multi-Directional and Agile Academic Knowledge Transfer Strategy for Healthcare Technology

Technology, especially cognitive agents and robots, has significant potential to improve the healthcare system and patient care. However, innovation within academia seldomly finds its way into practice. At least in Germany, there is still a digitalization gap between academia and healthcare practice and little understanding of how healthcare facilities can successfully purchase, implement, and adopt new knowledge and technology. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a successful academic knowledge transfer strategy for healthcare technology. We conducted a qualitative study with academic staff working in higher education in Germany and professionals in their practice partner organizations. In 15 semi-structured interviews, we aimed to assess interviewees experiences with knowledge transfer, to identify perceived influencing factors, and to understand the key aspects of a successful knowledge transfer strategy. The Dynamic Knowledge Transfer Model by Wehn and Montalvo, 2018 was used for data analysis. Based on our findings, we suggest that a successful transfer strategy between academia and practice needs to be multi-directional and agile. Moreover, partners within the transfer need to be on equal terms about expected knowledge transfer project outcomes. Our proposed measures focus particularly on regular consultations and communication during and after the project proposal phase.

Developing a Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM) for Older Adults with Hypertension

Older adults with a chronic health condition (e.g. hypertension) use various self-management methods. Healthcare technologies have the potential to support health self-management. However, it is necessary to understand the acceptance of these technologies as a precursor to older adults’ adoption and integration into their health plan. Our focus was on the factors older adults with hypertension initially consider when introduced to three new healthcare technologies that might support their health self-management. We compared their considerations for a blood pressure monitor, an electronic pillbox and a multifunction robot to simulate incrementally more complex technologies. Twenty-three participants (aged 65–84) completed four questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The interview transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. We identified the factors that were frequently mentioned among the participants for each of the three healthcare technologies. The factors that older adults initially considered were familiarity, perceived benefits, perceived ease of use, perceived need for oneself, relative advantage, complexity and perceived need for others. Upon further reflection, participants considered advice acceptance, compatibility, convenience, facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, privacy, subjective norm, and trust. We integrated the factors that older adults considered into the Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM), which elucidates the complexity of healthcare technology acceptance and provides guidance for future explorations.

The Expanding Divide between Videoconferencing and Enterprise-Grade Virtual Care Platforms for Healthcare Systems

COVID19’s silver lining in healthcare technology ushered in a massive adoption of virtual care by health systems, clinicians, and patients. In the post pandemic world, as consumer/patient adoption for digital health access exponential continues to grow—Health systems, Insurers, and clinicians all need re-evaluate strategies create larger budgets, and commitments towards Digital health. The growth and rapid adoption seen during the early months of the pandemic was stimulated by removal of legislative, financial and reimbursement barriers. Healthcare systems must carefully and strategically evaluate secure, purpose built, and strategic technological investment.

The healthcare technology needs you

The growing evidence and technology in healthcare lead to an improvement in the patient's health across a continuum of services in clinical and community settings. A multidisciplinary team should work in tandem on this phenomenon. Therefore, innovative healthcare technology must be designed intensively to optimize productivity and provide new insight along with support the standard treatment for particular diseases. In the coming years, technology is needed to change the way of caring for the patient. This is a fundamental aspect because the recent technology has shaped up in front of our practice with advances in digital healthcare services, such as 3D printing, robotics, nanotechnology and even artificial intelligence (The Medical Futurist, 2021). To respond to this, updated studies should be developed and published focusing on innovative technology including in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other health-related topics.