Digital Transformation For Health

As the point person assigned to lead digital transformation in our health facility, I would like to discuss this to learn more about what is currently available and how this concept is applied to health.  Admittedly not an expert on the topic, I started searching for definitions and how different concepts are related to one another.

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new business processes, culture and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.

    Digitization is the process of converting information from analog to digital.

    Digitalization is using digital data to simplify how you work.

    Digital transformation adds value to every customer interaction.

Benefits of digital transformation include increased efficiency, greater business agility and unlocking of new value for employees, customers and shareholders.

Also, Melissa Kress of csnews.com share about the Three Rs of digital transformation that having the right people, the right process and the right systems in place spells success.

Starting 2020, Hospital Statistical Reports were submitted through the Online Health Facility Statistical Reporting System (OHFSRS).

In 2021, Dr Eric Tayag promoted telemedicine as a game changer in the pandemic, since digital health could reduce the cost of health services.

For 2023, the Department of Health has mandated the digitalization of eleven (11) areas of hospital operations to be included in their hospital balanced score cards.  This includes use of hospital information systems, electronic health records, teleconsultation, and electronic patient navigation.

T1.  Cite examples of how digital transformation is applied for health in your area.

T2.  What are the barriers to digital transformation for health?

T3.  What do you think are the enabling factors for implementation of digital transformation for health?

Collaborative Research is the way to go

This last week, I was a delegate of the 8th Central Visayas Health Research and Innovation Conference at the Siquijor State College. 

It is my personal pride to note that the health facility I belong to was represented this year not just by delegates from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Family Medicine but also delegates from the Nutrition and Dietetics Services, Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Psychiatry, and the Department of General Surgery.

During the conference, I was asked to judge the Professional Experimental category and was delighted to know that agriculturists were doing research.  This is important for food security!

Digital Transformation

Last April 20, 2023 the top management of the Southern Philippines Medical Center benchmarked with our hospital regarding the hospital information system, considering we employ a third party provider while supplementing the standard systems with parallel software programs where it is needed.

The feedback from the hospital tour described our hospital as "amazing".