The healthcare sector is undergoing a transformative shift as enterprises embrace new-age digital solutions to provide quality service and optimise business efficiency. While artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have penetrated the surgical and servicing spectrum of the industry, digital health records and internet of things (IoT) are enabling substantial data collection and processing. Rapid technological advancements and rising consumer demand for premium healthcare will continue to drive digital adoption in the sector.
A look at the key technologies reshaping the Indian healthcare space…
AI-enabled solutions
The AI revolution in healthcare is already under way. The critical challenges of Indian healthcare are a low doctor-patient ratio, skewed distribution of expertise, expensive, inadequately trained staff and delayed detection and diagnostic errors. AI is a powerful tool that can address many of these challenges.
AI-driven predictive analytics has emerged as one of the promising healthcare technology trends. By analysing clinical insights and forecasting patient flow from real-time and historical data, the solution can help healthcare providers optimise resource allocation and take timely action. As per the Philips Future Health Index 2023 report, 39 per cent of the healthcare leaders plan to invest in AI to predict outcomes, which is up from 30 per cent in 2021. Such capabilities are becoming the mainstay of data-driven hospital operations. Additionally, in diagnostic imaging, AI integration into computed tomography (CT) systems can automate radiographers’ most time-consuming steps. AI-based reconstruction is then used to deliver high-quality images for precise diagnosis.
Generative AI, in particular, is gradually taking centre stage in the industry. This technology can create synthetic data that can be used to train medical AI algorithms without compromising patient privacy or in cases where relevant real-world data is limited. It can create chatbots and virtual assistants to help at every stage of the patient’s journey. Some emerging use cases of the technology include synthesising patient summary documents, personalising services, medical training, report generation and communication.
Apollo Hospitals has launched the first-of-its-kind AI-driven preventive health profile programme called ProHealth. It uses a predictive AI algorithm that captures a patient’s health status and predicts potential risks.
DHRs and blockchain
Digital health records (DHRs) are real-time, patient-centred records that make information available instantly and securely to authorised users. Aggregated and anonymised data from DHRs can drive insights for public health initiatives and medical research. India is well positioned to lead in the technology, thanks to government initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The initiative aims to digitalise health records and make healthcare services more accessible. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission focuses on creating a comprehensive health information architecture. These initiatives have landed some of the country’s largest organisations as key partners, including Tata Medical and Diagnostics and Apollo Hospitals. According to the National Health Authority, 500 million individuals had Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number as their unique health identity and more than
5 million people were using the ABHA app to manage their health records digitally as of December 2023.
Furthermore, blockchain is being explored as a way to create a shared network of healthcare data and could hold a key to the future of DHRs. It is to be noted that blockchain will not replace any existing electronic records, which entirely runs on a centralised database. The computational intensity of the encryption only allows a handful of transactions to be completed each second, while most DHR systems process thousands of transactions per second. However, blockchain is not meant to be a database; it will rather serve as a ledger of data integrity and security. The technology can be used to prove that medical records are unmodified and complete. It can also document what procedures were done with time stamps and record patient consent for sharing information. Ultimately, blockchain can ensure the integrity of medical records, providing absolute proof that the medical record cannot be changed.
IoMT and wearables
Internet of medical things (IoMT) comprises medical and wearable devices, sensors and other healthcare-related technology integrated with cloud systems. Some of the most popular devices that can connect to IoMT systems are wearable devices such as smartwatches and IoT-powered pulsometers, which collect data through sensors and report the wearer’s vital signs such as temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Healthcare providers can retrieve this data for review, treatment and diagnosis. Infusion pumps can improve the precision delivery of medication, while allowing doctors to monitor and control dosage over the internet. Doctors can set, modify or stop the infusion based on patients’ vitals and keep a record of all those commands for future inspection. As per industry estimates, in India, 48 per cent of medical devices are connected through IoT and this number is anticipated to rise to 68 per cent in the coming years.
A big potential use case of IoT in the healthcare space is Telemedicine 2.0. The concept goes beyond the simple delivery of remote healthcare. For example, the industry is exploring the deployment of virtual hospital wards, where a central location acts as a hub for monitoring multiple patients in their own homes.
Smart robots
Surgical robots are on the rise as the technology becomes more widely adopted in operating rooms worldwide. Robotic surgery integrates advanced computer technology to virtually extend the surgeon’s vision and hands into the surgical field, resulting in surgery that is safe, accurate and precise with better surgical outcomes. Some surgical robots are even connected to AI platforms to augment surgical decision-making. Johnson & Johnson announced its plans to initiate clinical trials of its surgical robot, Ottava, which incorporates four robotic arms into a standard-size surgical table and has the ability to reposition a patient without interrupting the surgical procedure. In India, the Apollo Institutes of Robotic Surgery, an integral part of the Apollo Hospitals Group, has launched the first of its kind Da Vinci Si Surgical System and over 130 surgeries have been completed successfully since its launch. Last year, the country’s first and only Made in India surgical robot, SSI Mantra, achieved the milestone of 100 successful surgeries within six months of its commercial launch.
AR/VR
The use of augmented reality (AR) in healthcare is beginning to take off, with 5G enabling several innovative use cases. The technology is increasingly being used by surgeons to provide digital information as they work without the need to look at separate screens. Another application is surgical simulations, where AR helps create realistic 3D environments in a surgical suite to practise delicate and complex procedures. Meanwhile, virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be effective in helping patients treat long-term chronic pain and cause fewer side effects than traditional pharmaceutical pain management. AR and VR are widely being recognised in educational set-ups for their ability to recreate virtual training cases in real circumstances.
Prioritising cybersecurity
The healthcare sector faces evolving cybersecurity trends and challenges that demand continuous vigilance and adaptation. The rise in the number of connected devices and the flow of sensitive clinical and patient data leads to a higher risk in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Ransomware attacks, data breaches and phishing attempts have become more prevalent, posing serious threats to patient data confidentiality and the overall healthcare system integrity. According to a report by the UK-based Sophos, cyberattacks hit nearly 60 per cent of the healthcare organisations globally in the past year. This includes India’s top institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Indian Council of Medical Research. To this end, healthcare enterprises are increasingly investing in advanced cybersecurity technologies such as AI and machine learning for threat detection, as well as adopting a holistic approach to cybersecurity that includes employee education, regular risk assessments and continuous monitoring of networks and systems.
The way forward
Going forward, the healthcare sector is poised for a revolution, driven by advanced technologies. The integration of AI, IoMT, AR/VR and blockchain will redefine patient care, medical research and operational efficiency. Healthcare services will become more accessible and patient-centric, offering personalised treatment plans based on real-time data to remote monitoring and telehealth solutions. New-age applications such as precision medicine, smart medical devices and interoperable health systems will enhance the overall healthcare outcomes. Despite security and infrastructure challenges, the combination of these technologies will pave the way for a digitally evolved healthcare space
