The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development and adoption of teleconsultation and technological innovations which facilitate patients' access to quality and efficient healthcare services. The increasing acceptance of the model by patients has called upon healthcare providers to rethink how the much broader scope of telehealth can be better utilised to deliver healthcare services beyond health consultation, these include allowing healthcare professionals to provide guidance on drug adherence, postoperative care, rehabilitation, health education and more.
Not only has telehealth transformed the way that healthcare is delivered, but it has also presented a new approach in empowering patients and caregivers to play a more active role in self-managing their health and in monitoring health remotely. The past few years have also seen more rapid introduction of relevant services by private care providers, with some developed in collaboration with healthtech companies.
Outside Hong Kong, there is also an emerging trend of internet hospitals, more notably in the Mainland where online and physical hospitals are combined to provide services from health consultation to diagnosis, treatment and health management. A similar trend is also being picked up in Singapore where virtual hospitals are being piloted with a view towards alleviating stress on inpatient services and enhancing cost effectiveness. This new stream has brought about another interesting topic for both public and private hospitals in Hong Kong to contemplate.
