DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HEALTHCARE: EMBRACING THE SHIFT TOWARD PROACTIVE HEALTH

Currently, digital transformation in healthcare is becoming a trend and has a direct impact on the delivery of healthcare services, from traditional methods to modern approaches. At the same time, applying digital transformation in the healthcare sector helps save time and allows for quicker decision-making through digital technologies.

Digital transformation in healthcare is a strategic goal in the era of Industry 4.0, enabling the sector to continue being a highlight in the mission of protecting and improving public health while enhancing the quality of life. So, what challenges are hindering the healthcare industry in this transformation journey? What solutions can help overcome these obstacles and allow the healthcare sector to make a breakthrough in digital transformation? Let’s explore the following article for more details.

>> See more:

What is Digital Transformation?

WHY DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS A MUST

What is Digital Transformation in Healthcare?

Digital transformation in healthcare refers to the process of testing, installing, and synchronously implementing the latest technologies to support management, laboratory research, and medical examination and treatment. With the powerful support of digital technologies such as Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the overall healthcare system—especially hospitals—can operate more efficiently and intelligently.

Understanding Digital Transformation in Hospitals and the Healthcare Sector

>>> You might be interested in: Digital Transformation in Banking

Benefits of Digital Transformation in Healthcare and Hospitals

Although digital transformation in healthcare still faces challenges and is in the process of seeking optimal solutions, its significant benefits to the healthcare industry are undeniable. The key advantages of digital transformation in healthcare and hospitals include:

• Firstly, digital transformation reshapes the way healthcare facilities manage, operate, and internally control activities. It enables accurate and timely decision-making based on digital technologies.
• Secondly, it directly impacts the delivery of healthcare services—from traditional methods to technology-driven approaches—accelerating service provision and improving overall efficiency.
• Thirdly, digital transformation changes the way healthcare staff, doctors, and medical personnel work and communicate, shifting from traditional environments to digital platforms and shaping the emergence of the “digitized human doctor.”

Current Status of Digital Transformation in Vietnam’s Healthcare Sector

Vietnam’s national digital healthcare transformation program focuses on four core areas: digital transformation in disease prevention and treatment, digital healthcare in medical research and clinical treatment, digital transformation in healthcare management, and international virtual conferences as the four main development pillars.

Currently, an objective assessment shows that the digitization process in Vietnamese hospitals remains fragmented and small-scale. It is mainly concentrated in central public hospitals nationwide and private hospitals located in class-1 urban areas. Fields such as medical imaging, hematology, oncology, and surgery are at the forefront of digital solution adoption.

Current Status of Digital Transformation in Vietnam’s Healthcare Sector

In general, communication between departments is still limited; at times, doctors and nurses cannot access stored patient data. In addition, patient data, medical equipment and tools, hospital information systems, and laboratory systems have not yet met the required standards. Currently, the development trend of medicine and advanced technologies such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is receiving significant attention in Vietnam. However, in reality, health-tech startups still face difficulties in persuading users to change their habits in using healthcare services due to poor service quality.

>>> See more: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDUCATION

Challenges in Implementing Digital Transformation in Healthcare in Vietnam

The process of digital transformation in the healthcare sector requires a comprehensive and continuous approach from the outset, demanding close coordination among multiple parties, such as government agencies, hospitals, clinics, technology companies, and individuals. The specific challenges during implementation are as follows:

Lack of Resources

Currently, the digital transformation of the healthcare sector requires key resources such as financial capital, human resources, and IT infrastructure. Funding remains a major challenge for many small clinics and private hospitals due to limited capital and budget constraints.

Lack of Standardization

A major issue is that the healthcare system in our country currently lacks standardization in IT infrastructure, which is not compatible with common processes and regulations. This gap complicates data aggregation and synchronization, limiting connectivity between healthcare facilities.

Lack of Attention from People

Some people still do not pay much attention to digital healthcare services because they are not familiar with the new way of working and are concerned about the security of personal data involved. Being accustomed to traditional methods of healthcare has made it difficult for many to adapt to the new approach.

Lack of Suitable Technology

Currently, many hospitals and medical facilities have not yet found effective software for digitizing documents, invoices, lab test certificates, and patient records. Moreover, storing medical images is a complex issue. Given the large volume of hospital medical records and X-ray data, a storage system is required that provides sufficient capacity, a user-friendly interface, and easy search functionality.

Technologies Applied in Healthcare Digital Transformation

Below are some of the technologies applied in the digital transformation process in the healthcare sector and hospitals today.

Application of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only a trend in the digital transformation of the healthcare industry. AI represents a microcosm of medical innovation, and companies in this field are seeking to invest millions of dollars into it. The market for AI-powered healthcare tools is expected to exceed $34 billion by 2025, meaning this technology will transform nearly every aspect of the industry.

Technologies Applied in Digital Transformation are Essential for the Healthcare Sector

For most patients, AI is similar to the nursing robots often used in healthcare in Japan, and it is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. New versions of robots are even being designed to help nurses with routine tasks such as retrieving and storing supplies. Chatbots and virtual medical assistants are another AI-based technology that patients are gradually becoming familiar with.

Chatbots can perform various roles, from customer service agents to diagnostic tools, and even therapists. Additionally, artificial intelligence is applied in fields such as precision medical diagnostics, medical imaging, and accelerating drug research.

Using Blockchain in Healthcare

Blockchain will soon play an important role in maintaining accurate and secure electronic health information. Blockchain is considered a digital ledger or computer database that allows you to store patients’ medical history, prescriptions, medical records, etc. This helps doctors better understand the patient’s medical history, treatment history, and health indicators over time, leading to more effective and faster treatment without the need for third-party assistance.

The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries have proven its effectiveness by investing millions of dollars into this market. According to a recent report, the value of blockchain in the healthcare market is expected to reach $890.5 million by 2023.

BPO.MP – A Comprehensive Consultant and Support Provider for Healthcare Digital Transformation

It is evident that Vietnam’s healthcare sector is currently facing complex challenges related to the lack of digital solutions and appropriate medical imaging storage technologies. Understanding these concerns, BPO.MP, a leading digital transformation solution provider in Vietnam, has successfully researched and developed BPO.MP PACS — a system for transmitting and storing medical images — along with a comprehensive solution for digitizing patient data.

BPO.MP– Comprehensive Consulting and Support Unit for Digital Transformation in Healthcare

One of the most pressing issues in healthcare digital transformation is the lack of suitable digitization solutions. BPO.MP’s comprehensive patient record digitization solution serves as a lifeline for hospitals and medical care facilities. This solution enables healthcare institutions to convert all handwritten records and documents into electronic formats, which are then stored in a centralized digital archive.

BPO.MP possesses the largest digitization capacity on the market and is ready to implement highly complex digitization projects for hospitals and healthcare facilities. With over 100 experts and 3,500 experienced digitization staff, BPO.MP has gained the trust of more than 5,500 clients across the government sector, corporations, and major enterprises, including DB Schenker Vietnam, Masteries Group, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam, Bayer Vietnam, Bosch, Honda Vietnam, Shopee Vietnam, and the Vietnam Esperanto Association.

Advanced digital technologies such as OCR, ICR, OMR, and ADRT, combined with digitization equipment and scanners from leading global brands like Plustek, Kodak, and Contex,… enable document digitization with up to 99.99% accuracy, while optimizing both cost and execution time.

Digital transformation in healthcare is a way to provide better healthcare services while improving the internal processes of a healthcare organization. The most important part of this process is still to meet the needs of every patient using advanced technology. It involves proactively using technology to deliver value to individuals and healthcare organizations in order to maximize benefits.

In summary, digital transformation brings value and opportunities for faster, more efficient medical examination and treatment. Implementing digital transformation in healthcare is a bold and impressive move to realize the Government’s National Digital Transformation Program by 2025.