While most healthcare leaders in the Asia Pacific recognise the value of health data more than their global peers, they are still facing significant challenges in using data effectively, according to Royal Philips' Future Health Index 2022 report.

FINDINGS

The report, now in its seventh edition, gathered responses from 2,900 healthcare senior executives across 15 countries with 900  from the APAC region. It explores how healthcare leaders have been harnessing data and digital technology to address major challenges coming out of the pandemic.

Based on the report, over eight in 10 respondents, especially those from Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia, said data is worth their time and resources. 

Across the region, there is high confidence in data usage with most leaders claiming to have extracted actionable insights from available data, accessed data utilisation technologies, and trusted the high level of data accuracy in their facilities. 

This year's FHI report also found that 55% of respondents are already heavily investing in AI, especially for clinical decision support, outcomes prediction, and diagnostics integration.

When it comes to predictive analytics, over a quarter (27%) said they have already adopted the technology while almost half (44%) are in the process of implementation. Nearly nine in 10 respondents trust the use of predictive analytics in clinical settings, acknowledging its positive impact on patient and staff experiences and health outcomes.

But there is still a need to improve APAC's use of data, AI and predictive analytics to enable future healthcare systems, the report stressed. Around 30%-40% of APAC leaders said they are sharing data with third-party organisations; using data for predictive analytics; collecting and storing data; and using data to automate tasks. 

Almost 75% of the respondents cited data silos as their main challenge in using data effectively. Around the same number of respondents also said that their staff are finding it difficult to use data as they are "overwhelmed" by its volume today. 

Moreover, 55% of respondents still do not know how to use data for decision-making. For example, only 7% of healthcare leaders surveyed said they have the expertise to fully utilise data.

Meanwhile, with more than a quarter of respondents (26%) seeking to become socially responsible healthcare providers, predictive analytics is seen to support their goal, particularly in reducing health inequalities. The technology is also believed to support value-based care and reduce the cost of care.

In addition, the report also noted that close to a quarter of respondents are set to extend care delivery beyond the hospital. In light of this, about 45% of respondents said they are currently investing in telehealth while almost one in five are investing in remote patient monitoring solutions. 

THE LARGER TREND

Recently in Indonesia, the Digital Transformation Office of the Ministry of Health developed a health informatics curriculum to push regional health workers to utilise data to enhance care.  Digital Transformation chief Setiaji said they were prompted to upskill health workers who have been mere "input officers" untrained to harness data. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government is currently testing the Indonesia Health Services digital platform to connect around 60,000 community health centres, pharmacies and laboratories across the country.

ON THE RECORD

"[T]he value of data and technology is only as strong as the human experience it supports, and it’s vital that our approach to digital transformation is centred around people," said Caroline Clarke, Philips ASEAN Pacific CEO and EVP.

To this end, she said that "overcoming data silos and supporting staff training and education are urgently needed to ensure that these ambitions, including improving staff retention can be fulfilled and the region’s desired health outcomes are achieved".