The COVID-19 pandemic showed major flaws and disparities in all healthcare systems. While the crisis is far from over, its lessons are clear: one must construct more robust health systems that are prepared for future crises, such as those due to climate change, conflict, or a pandemic, while also balancing the requirements of a growing ageing population. Future health system sustainability will be aided with a more dispersed healthcare approach. However, a number of critical elements must be in place in order for this vision to be realized. Philips outlines its contribution and thoughts as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance for Health System Sustainability and Resilience in a new document. The report identifies five key areas upon which to focus in order to adapt to the changing environment.
Technology and service delivery
Utilize digital and technical breakthroughs to reinvent service delivery, decentralising care services from the hospital and spreading them across communities and even into patients’ homes.
Governance
To empower teams to respond quickly in the aftermath of a crisis, work to make data infrastructures accessible, public, and compatible.
Healthcare Force
To relieve the burden on the healthcare staff to continually react to diseases, expedite the transition towards value-based and patient-centric treatment. This transformation may also result in more flexibility in a work environment where employees are always learning.
Data Innovation
Open standards should be developed to manage health data in a way that is accessible, fair, and secure.
Finance
To build a more stable and efficient financial system, eliminate wasteful financial practises and maintain the shift toward preventative medicine and treatment.