Gaurav Bagga, Chief Technology Officer, Pristyn Care

India’s healthcare landscape is being rapidly transformed by digitalisation. Smart wearables, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to curate customised treatment plans, telemedicine and electronic health records are examples of the new digital technologies and use cases. Gaurav Bagga, Chief Technology Officer, Pristyn Care, reflect on these trends and their organisations’ digital road maps for the future.

How are digital solutions transforming the healthcare sector? What are the key trends?

Digital solutions continue to redefine healthcare in India like never before. The system is now more seamless, efficient and accessible, solving problems that were once considered impossible to address. Electronic medical records (EMR) and digital prescriptions are now standard, not only reducing paperwork, but also significantly improving the accuracy of patient data. Telemedicine consultations have also gained momentum, allowing patients to connect with doctors remotely, saving time and enhancing convenience. Moreover, AI-powered diagnostics and predictive tools are helping providers make more accurate decisions, at a faster pace, improving patient outcomes.

What are the key digital initiatives being undertaken by your organisation? What are the key benefits?

Pristyn Care has always striven to be at the forefront of healthcare technology adoption. Our EMR integration streamlines prescription and patient data management, with adoption by surgeons exceeding 99 per cent. Our digital presence is strong, with chatbots handling patient queries and providing timely assistance. One of our key operations is the automated filling and submission of pre-authorisation forms for cashless insurance, significantly reducing complications during claim processing and discharge. Additionally, our 45-minute express discharge service ensures that patients can leave the hospital with ease, minimising wait times and enhancing their overall experience. These initiatives provide the benefits of faster service, greater accessibility and improved treatment outcomes by empowering both our doctors and patients with timely, accurate information. It helps us better manage our data, adding to our research to devise better, modern solutions for tomorrow.

What are the key challenges faced when implementing new technologies? How are you addressing them?

Implementing new tech in a traditional society always imposes certain challenges. At Pristyn Care, we recognise that adoption and transition can be tough for both our staff and patients. One of our primary challenges has been resistance to change and training requirements. To overcome this, we prioritise user-friendly interfaces and ensure that continuous training and support are available to our team. Overall, we are focused on creating an environment where both our medical professionals and patients feel confident in using these new technologies. Our goal is to enhance healthcare facilities in Tier II and III cities.

What is your organisation’s digital/technological road map? What new solutions are you exploring or planning to deploy?

At Pristyn Care, we continually strive to employ strategies, machinery and healthcare solutions centred on AI and ML. We are currently exploring AI-powered diagnostics, which assist MRI scans and other potential means of imaging to predict surgeries and enhance doctor decisions. Being known for our personalised approach, we are consistently integrating predictive analytics in our processes to forecast patient outcomes based on accurate data, allowing us to further personalise patient experience.

What role do you foresee for next-generation technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics and 5G in shaping the healthcare sector? What will be the other key emerging trends?

We are in the midst of a healthcare and digital revolution, driven by AI, IoT, robotics and 5G. At Pristyn Care, we see AI improving patient data accuracy and helping doctors make better treatment decisions. IoT is helping with remote monitoring, allowing doctors to track patient vitals in real time. Robotics is improving surgical precision, reducing human error and reducing recovery times. As for 5G, it will enable faster communication between healthcare devices, improving surgery accuracy and telemedicine capabilities. It is also strengthening our presence in Tier II and III cities. Emerging trends will surely upgrade personalised medicine approaches and patient-centric care, as these technologies will help us customise treatments and keep patients at the heart of their healthcare journey.