The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly accelerated the adoption of digital technologies particularly in healthcare. With the strain on NHS resources, healthcare providers turned to digital technologies to help ease the burden on their staff and boost productivity.
Connected health refers to a broad concept that encompasses health-related systems, services, and devices, often connected through the Internet. This can include everything from telemedicine and wearable health devices to digital health records.
According to Capgemini’s recent research, the global connected health market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%, reaching around $520 billion by 2032 from $58.2 billion in 2022. This growth is also driven by increasing consumer adoption. Currently, 1 in 3 consumers already own a wearable device, and 29% are likely to purchase one in the next 12 months.
These statistics solidify connected health as a transformative force and trend within the healthcare industry. By offering more personalised and efficient services, connected health is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape, providing new opportunities for improving patient care, reducing costs, and enhancing overall health outcomes.
Connected health is set to play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare. However, as the adoption of these technologies increases, so do the challenges, such as ensuring data security, maintaining regulatory compliance, and integrating these tools into existing systems.
Data Security and Privacy Concerns
Of the more significant challenges in effective connected health solutions is ensuring data security and with it, patient privacy. Organisations operating in this unique environment also face complex regulatory requirements. Additional security concerns also encompass data breaches, misuse or mishandling of patient data and ransomware attacks. This heightens the need for organisations to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect patient data. Encryption, secure authentication processes and regular audits to identify and address vulnerabilities are all ways in which organisations can overcome these technical challenges. Not to mention a clear communication and education strategy for both suppliers and consumers of the services.
Data Management and Infrastructure
Securing sensitive data is one part of the challenge. The other issue is handling the vast amounts of data that connected health technologies produce. Addressing this challenge will require robust data management infrastructure, such as secure storage, data analytics, encryption and access control in order to protect privacy and ensure compliance with regulations. Additionally, organisations must consider the need for scalable systems capable of processing and analysing real-time data from various sources, including wearable devices, telemedicine platforms, and electronic health records. Effective data management also involves integrating these diverse data streams into a cohesive framework for seamless access and sharing across different departments and/or external partners. This integration is critical not only for maintaining data integrity and accuracy but also for enabling advanced analytics, which can drive insights and improve decision-making in patient care and operational efficiency.
Regulatory compliance
The healthcare industry is highly regulated with companies needing to navigate a complex regulatory landscape when adopting connected health solutions. Regulations relating to data protection and telemedicine practices, for example, are constantly evolving. Healthcare providers and organisations must stay up to date with these regulations to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues. Additionally, there is a need for clear guidelines and standards for the use of connected health technologies, which can help streamline the adoption process and ensure patient safety and care quality.
Skills Gap and Talent Development
The adoption of connected health technologies necessitates a workforce that is trained and skilled in using these new tools. This includes not only medical professionals but also administrative personnel, and even patients. Our research found that only a minority of organisations have an adequate supply of technical skills in AR/VR (19%) and generative AI (21%). In order to overcome this barrier, healthcare organisations need to cultivate a culture that embraces technological innovation and encourages ongoing learning and adoption.
Integration and Interoperability
Whilst integration of these technologies is hugely promising to enhance patient support and operational efficiency, it also presents a major challenge. Many healthcare and biopharma organisations use a variety of different software systems and devices that may not be compatible with each other. This can lead to inefficiencies or fragmented care. Standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), Health Level Seven (HL7) and Digital Imaging and
Communications in Medicine (DICOM®) can support integration and interoperability.
Looking ahead
The rise of connected health offers exciting opportunities for transforming healthcare delivery. However, healthcare organisations must carefully navigate the challenges associated with data security, integration, workforce development, and regulatory compliance. By addressing these challenges, healthcare providers can harness the full potential of connected health technologies to improve patient outcomes, enhance care delivery, and achieve greater efficiencies. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, organisations that successfully adopt and integrate these technologies will be better positioned to meet the needs of their patients and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
