Deloitte asserts that despite the potential of digitization and promises of digital collaboration to address challenges in the healthcare sector, progress has lagged behind the needs. This gap exists not only in e-health applications for remote monitoring but also in algorithms designed to improve diagnostics.
Challenges in Data Exchange
A significant part of this problem stems from the lack of standardized, secure digital data exchange. Efforts to address this issue are underway through legislation such as the Dutch Wegiz and EHDS, as well as the Vision and Strategy for the Health Information System by the Dutch ministry of health. However, data exchange is not yet straightforward, and data remains limited in its availability for both primary (patient-related) and secondary (including medical-scientific research) purposes. Deloitte outlines the current situation where patient and client data is often scattered across different healthcare providers, stored in various formats, including emails, text documents, and medical images on DVDs (although DVDs are gradually being phased out through DVDexit). Moreover, data exchange often occurs through various channels such as postal services and fax, hindering collaboration, innovation, and resulting in additional costs and unnecessary administrative tasks.Collaboration, Data Exchange, Innovation
Keeping these complex and interrelated challenges in mind, Pragmedic was developed as a "streamlined platform for digital collaboration, data exchange, and innovation." Pragmedic is built on technology from internet conglomerate Google. Deloitte emphasizes that the platform is secure, based on open standards, and offers a high degree of flexibility, avoiding vendor lock-in. This sustainable and open solution enables physicians and nurses to focus their time on patient care rather than administrative tasks. The platform promises several improvements over the current state of data exchange:- Patient Empowerment: Access to their own data leads to informed decisions and greater patient engagement.
- Enhanced Healthcare and Research: Access to more relevant patient data results in better outcomes, diagnoses, and treatments.
- Sustainable Deployment of Healthcare Providers: Improved coordination among healthcare providers and reduced administrative burden translates to more direct patient care time and lower costs.
- Empowered Professionals: Immediate access to patient data streamlines and simplifies the work of healthcare providers, allowing them to concentrate on delivering care.
- Increased Innovation: New insights and innovative solutions offer opportunities for identifying trends and new treatment methods.
