The emergence of the Covid pandemic has further reinforced the country’s gap when it comes to off-site health facilities. Hospitals are overwhelmed due to the increased volume of patients in the wake of the outbreak, in turn discouraging people from going to one unless necessary. In a way, this makes people more vulnerable to other health issues, especially individuals who are terminally ill or with chronic diseases.
According to the Senior Director of Global Consulting at Axios International, Roshel Jayasundera, Malaysia’s finite capacity, network and infrastructure to assist the patients when they leave the hospital also leads to undesirable health outcomes.
It is time to set sail towards out-of-hospital care and better face the obstacles via Patient Support Programs (PSPs) which provide efficient patient access and adherence to treatment with the support of healthcare professionals.
How do digital tools influence medical outcomes of treatment?
A computerised system allows patients to track and manage their health treatment remotely. Hence, it removes the hassle of having to physically attend the appointment and put oneself at risk of catching COVID-19.
The benefits of outpatient care become an increasingly viable approach, especially in this age of COVID-19. It reduces capacity pressure for hospitals as well as provides a safe and convenient way for patients to receive care.
A better patient management ecosystem: Role of digital technology in healthcare in improving patients’ health
Digital healthcare can bolster the connection between health experts and patients; a crucial part of the treatment journey. Aside from providing a sound management of disease and slick operation, such as less human error, fast decision-making and enhanced productivity, it can help counteract the risk of future diseases.
“Digital healthcare is a critical factor in designing new and innovative access solutions as it can facilitate and enable coordinated care. Using a digitised system to capture and analyse data can help us understand the efficacy of existing access solutions and what needs to be done for a more impactful result.
“Moreover, patients can be monitored virtually on a consistent basis, building personalised solutions. At Axios, we have constructed our very own suite of digital solutions, Axios+ to reach and follow-up with patients in our PSPs when they leave the health facility to ensure that they are compliant with their treatment.
“These tools allow patients to track their treatment and enable physicians to refer a patient to an access program, follow-up on their progress online and pharmacists to track medical supplies efficiently,” Roshel explained.
Pandemic-sparked digital acceleration
Perhaps it is time to change the conventional method of delivering care. Instead of the typical hospital setting, this pandemic has reminded us that we need to refashion and find other ways to bring care to patients.
Digital skills among Malaysians have improved over the movement restriction period. According to PWC Malaysia, more than half the population acquired tech knowledge amidst the pandemic.
“We must do everything in our power to address the needs of digitisation, embedding the principles of inclusion to ensure that everyone will have a share in the benefits of digital healthcare.
“I’d like to reiterate that we must work to combat these inequalities, both pre-existing and reinforced by the crisis. Collaboration between healthcare stakeholders across public and private companies in Malaysia is vital in order to leverage each other’s strengths and create strategic models. This will in turn achieve sustainable healthcare access among the citizens,” Roshel stressed.
How can the residents of Perak benefit from it?
Axios International’s digital solutions consist of the MyHealth app, MyPatients app, and MyPharmacy app.
The MyHealth app is designed for patients to track and manage their treatment. Meanwhile, the MyPatients app aids the process for physicians to easily connect with patients and consistently follow-up with their progress at their own convenience. MyPharmacy, on the other hand, enables pharmacists to effortlessly roll out medications to patients remotely.
Roshel highlighted that all patients who have enrolled in Axios Patient Support Programs are eligible to use the app. Axios+ is built to coexist in a hybrid environment so that they can cater to patients who are tech-savvy and those who may require additional support. The app is simple to use and extremely secure.
With an ultimate goal to maximise patient benefit and ensure that no patient is left behind, Axios International is a pioneering healthcare access company which is continuously working with local partners such as physicians, pharmacists, charities, NGOs and health authorities to improve patient access in the country as well as other parts of the world.
Axios’ International’s recent collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) focused on raising awareness on the prevention, screening and early detection of cancer and overcoming affordability barriers based on the individual’s ability to pay.
Gisele Soo
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