Sep 20, 2017 | Weingarten
Lack of investment puts the brakes on digitalisation
• Lack of investment and investment backlog hinder progress of digitalisation
• More information and advice needed regarding its benefits and impact
• National modernisation strategy to encourage investment in the vision
In its latest white paper, technology management and finance specialist CHG-MERIDIAN analyses the progress of digital transformation, the opportunities it brings, and the obstacles it faces in Germany’s healthcare sector, and offers strategies for delivering the vision of Health 4.0. The focus is on implementing a national modernisation strategy that can safeguard healthcare providers’ competitiveness and future success through investment in technology and employees.
The growing use of digital technology has shaped and fundamentally changed healthcare in recent years. Yet the German healthcare sector remains a long way off Health 4.0 (orMedicine 4.0), the vision of making full use of technical and digital capabilities in healthcare. CHG-MERIDIAN, the technology management and finance specialist, monitors and analyses the ongoing changes in the healthcare sector and develops solutions for current and future challenges. The company is presenting its current findings from this sector analysis in its white paper ‘Lack of investment as an obstacle to digital
transformation. A modernisation strategy to secure the future of hospitals’.
Lack of investment and investment backlog put the brakes on digitalization
Although the technological foundations for Health 4.0 are already in place, Germany has fallen behind other countries when it comes to digital healthcare. “A major obstacle is the German healthcare providers’ inability to invest,” explains Peter Krause, Vice President Healthcare Technologies at CHG-MERIDIAN. “There is insufficient capital available to meet their investment needs, creating an annual investment shortfall of at least €2.6 billion. And there is also an investment backlog that is growing every year,” he adds. Potential efficiency gains estimated in the tens of billions, which could be achieved by making full use of digital capabilities in hospitals, are going to waste.
More information and advice needed for hospital management and employees
Digital transformation relies on the willingness and ability of both, managers and employees to deal with the changes required and the resulting consequences. “Any digital transformation is, at its core, a process of social change that requires high levels of personal commitment, and which can cause concerns and raise questions,” says Krause. That is why employers should provide targeted incentives, support, and information.
A modernisation strategy to secure the future of healthcare providers
Increasing competition and cost pressures, a lack of skilled personnel, and growing patient numbers are key challenges for the healthcare sector. On top of that, there is the ongoing requirement to adapt to continual technical progress in medicine. The implementation of a national modernisation and digitalisation strategy helps healthcare providers to face the challenges posed by current and future developments. It is a vital component in securing the future of the healthcare sector. CHG-MERIDIAN offers non-captive, customised business concepts that help companies to support their employees in managing the challenges of digitalisation. CHG-MERIDIAN also optimises companies’ workflows, systems, and IT infrastructure along the entire supply chain. The cost savings and efficiency gains made can provide the financial freedom needed to invest in digital transformation.
