Digital Healthcare Innovation

Digital technology is impacting every facet of healthcare

Major emerging healthcare trends you cannot miss in 2022

The healthcare industry, rattled by the onset of the Pandemic in 2019, had a rocking year in 2021. Standups in digital health raised $29.1 billion in over 729 deals (as per Rock Health, venture fund providers) with Ro ($500 million), Mindbody ($500 million), Commure ($500 million) and Noom ($540 million) leading the funding growth charts. In 2022, pioneers in health technology - Abbott, Omron, P&G, Humana and their likes are taking greater strides to establish their supremacy in insights-driven digital health. Triggered by new Covid-19 variants, digital health companies are escalating their investments in medical technology and biopharma to modernize legacy systems and keep up with the times. Investments in prescription digital therapeutics and digital products that supported disease treatment are expected to remain at an all-time high this year.

All this is happening in the backdrop of technology-backed healthcare consultancy guiding the back offices of agile healthcare institutions and their medics. The momentum gained in 2021 is likely to gain further mileage in 2022.

photo showing major emerging healthcare trends

Early Digital Health Adoption

Companies in the health sector are banking on more impactful and result-driven insights to bridge the gaps between technology and business. They’re investing in intelligent, non-traditional digital health insights based on real-world experiences for end-to-end solutions that include:

  • Research-backed consulting for high-end operational transformations and improved consumer experiences.

  • Facilitation of a more agile mindset to help companies provide the best in digital healthcare - at lightning speed.

  • Innovative strategies, technologies, insights, and programs that revolve around the health needs of tomorrow.

  • Development of applications and processes to integrate connected devices and data-driven care.

Photo showing continued use of application programming interfaces (apis)

Trend #1: Continued Use Of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

To comply with the 21st Century Cures Act, healthcare organizations will use advanced features to help patients get easier digital access through health apps. They will invest in reliable technology-centered health data that can be shared at optimum costs.
Photo showing adoption of fast healthcare interoperability resources (fhir) standards

#2: Adoption Of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) Standards

The latest version of FHIR, a non-mandatory guideline that secures the exchange of health information, is in its early stages of adoption. With new mandates to upgrade waiting in the wings, many more healthcare organizations may join Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Epic and other tech giants to embrace digital transformations.
Photo showing migration of developers into the tech health sector

#3: Migration of developers into the tech health sector

Talented developers looking for better growth opportunities are likely to leave their comfort zones or traditional tech and venture further into the digital health domain. Apart from upgrading health apps, they are expected to develop smarter and more functional healthcare apps from the scratch.
Photo of blockchain-aided decentralization of health data

#4: Blockchain-aided decentralization of health data

With patients demanding full control over their health data, digital health companies are looking at improved and more secure methods of harnessing the power of blockchain. They are investing in remote, distributed telehealth apps and business models to support robust health data infrastructure.
Final thoughts

Trends that will Boost Digital Health in 2022

According to our market watchers at Spearhead, virtual aids, via remote monitoring and telehealth, will lead to new initiatives and innovations that provide better healthcare access. Additionally, integrated ‘companion’ solutions, digital therapeutics (DTx) Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and improved digital transformation will continue to fuel value-based healthcare models.
Photo showing trends that will boost digital health