Breaking down the myths on the application of ICTs to the health services

The study proposed by McKinsey&Company starts by going through the history of ICTs applied to the healthcare systems, identifying three stages: the first, during the implementation of computers to perform repetitive system jobs; the second, some eight years later, when it was attempted to integrate computers in the key processes of each area; and the third, which is currently underway, which seeks to adapt the new technologies in an integral manner.

The limitation of the first two stages was largely due to the fact that ICTs were only applied superficially and without bearing in mind the needs of the patient. The third stage aimed to correct these questions and now that the users have adapted new technologies to their daily lives, the time is right for healthcare to be digitalised. Obviously the problem is to know which path to take.

The first step is to try to understand patients: both their needs as such and their preferences as users of digital apparatuses. The article defends that many institutions are developing their systems around preconceived ideas on their uses, and the investigation that has been carried out aims to break down myths which, though maybe real in the past, can no longer be applied.

By means of a survey to more than 1,000 people in three different countries (Singapore, Germany and the United Kingdom), the McKinsey&Company study breaks down the following myths: 

1. People do not want to use digital services to manage their own health: Due to the delicate nature of the information dealt with in these cases, there is a belief that patients do not want to reveal their information in digital form. Similarly, the survey shows that the reason for which more users do not use electronic healthcare tools is because they do not cover their needs. In fact, 75% of those surveyed are in favour of digital systems in healthcare, provided the service is reliable and qualitative.
2. Only young people use digital tools: This is one of the most widespread myths and one of the supposed drawbacks when implementing a digital system. Similarly, the questionnaire shows that the over 50s want to access online healthcare services as much as young people do. The percentage is more than 70% in Germany and the United Kingdom and even higher in Singapore.
3. Mobile health will be the motor of change: It is often believed that mobile health is the most effective driving force behind ICTs, but the survey shows that the demand for mHealth is not as universal as one might believe. In other words, it is an important factor in the evolution of digital health, but not the decisive question.
4. Patients want innovative systems and apps: What patients seek is not revolutionary systems or apps applied in the social network, but rather effective, accessible and easy tools to integrate with other devices.
5. An integrated platform is needed that offers many services: The article explains that many institutions believe that the key lies in taking their time and creating total systems which offer all of the services that users might need. The answers to the questionnaire show that it is more important to act fast. The users in three countries give priority to simple and routine tasks, such as asking for an appointment.

[Graph with the replies referring to myth 1.]

In the conclusions, the article stresses the importance of studying the difference between myths and realities with respect to the application of ICTs in the healthcare services. Understanding what patients actually think and want is necessary in order to be able to move forward and therefore gradually adapting ICTs in an effective and productive way. The most important thing is to make patients use these services, because once they do so the institutions will be able to focus on how to expand and improve them. 

Therefore, the initiative of the Non-face-to-face Healthcare Model developed by the Government of Catalonia is particularly important, and places the patient at the centre of the healthcare service, developing a system around their needs.