Integrated care with digital health innovation: pressing challenges

Abstract

PurposeDigital health care has emerged as one of the most important means to deliver integrated care by care providers in recent years. As the use of digital health increases, there are some pressing issues such as interoperability of data across different healthcare information systems, regulatory environment and security and privacy of patient’s information which need to be discussed and addressed in order to reduce information silos and to ensure efficient and seamless use of digital health technologies. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper the authors outline the key concepts of interoperability, key challenges pertaining in achieving interoperability and concepts of security and privacy in context of digital health models of integrated care.FindingsThe study suggests that standardization of digital health information systems and connecting existing systems to health network, addressing privacy and security related issues through a comprehensive but supportive regulatory environment and educating citizens and healthcare providers are some of the ways to achieve effective use of digital health in models of integrated care.Originality/valueAlthough the concepts of privacy and interoperability are not new, however, as per best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to discuss the challenges and possible actions to meet the objective of achieving integrated care through digital innovation.

Sexual Disorders in Men

“…Studies show that feelings of emotional satisfaction, factors of activity, and arousal are basic indicators of psycho-emotional health. Pant (2022) pointed to this and its connection with the social, biological, and pedagogical components. Undoubtedly, the problem of the absence or minimal use of prevention in one's own life is an unsatisfactory factor that significantly affects sexuality and the impact of environmental factors that lead to sexual health disorders.…”

LOCKing Patient Safety: A Dynamic Cybersecurity Checklist for Healthcare Workers

“…They can cause the loss of sensitive patient data, financial losses, and even patient harm. Although technology integration has led to greater precision in healthcare, cybersecurity measures must advance to keep up with the changes (Pant et al, 2022). On the other hand, only 22.7% of the non-ICT personnel (i.e., doctors, nurses, auxiliary, laboratory, and administrative personnel) felt sufficiently trained in security (Gioulekas et al, 2022).…”

“…Healthcare professionals are highly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats as they handle sensitive patient information and rely heavily on technology for various aspects of their work (Pant et al, 2022). The likelihood of medication errors increases if prescription systems do not work (Altamimi, 2022).…”

“…The likelihood of medication errors increases if prescription systems do not work (Altamimi, 2022). Among healthcare professionals, nurses are often responsible for collecting and recording patient data, communicating with other healthcare professionals, and accessing electronic health records (Pant et al, 2022). Therefore, they must take proactive measures to implement robust cybersecurity practices to safeguard patient information and prevent data breaches.…”

Implementing digitally enabled integrated healthcare

“…As with the implementation of all innovations in healthcare, intended to effect positive change in care pathways and health outcomes, integrated care is notable for its complexity as it is meant not only to enhance the method by which patients and clinicians communicate, but also the active involvement of a variety of healthcare providers in collaborating in ways that enable joint decision-making and more coordinated care delivery. There are also additional key challenges such as achieving interoperability and concepts of security and privacy in context of digital health models of integrated care (Pant et al. , 2022).…”