There are issues related to “affective” aspects, such as the possibility of treating patients alongside loved ones. And health care ones, given the growth of infections contracted during periods of hospitalization. The fact is that the digitization makes it easier home care, thanks to the ability to monitor the patient’s state of health in real time. This is just one of the directions it is taking telemedicine, according to the Mip’s Digital Innovation in Health Observatory, the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano.
The thrust of the pandemic
The analysis shows that the pandemic has pushed the spread of digital tools in the health sector, also accelerating their knowledge and use by citizens, doctors and health facilities in the different phases of the treatment process. Sector spending grew by 5% between 2019 and 2020, reaching a value of 1.5 billion euros, equal to 1.2% of public health expenditure and a about 25 euros for each citizen.
The role of apps
The Observatory then points out that digital is a channel increasingly used by citizens to search for health information: the 73% search the Net today information on correct lifestyles (compared to 60% a year ago) and 43% inquire online about the vaccination campaign. But also for the prevention and monitoring of their health, with 33% of patients who use app to monitor their lifestyle and more than one in five who use apps to remember to take a drug (22%) or to monitor clinical parameters (21%).
The limits
Not just positive news. The study finds that the digitization process of the sanitary system it is still fragmented and inhomogeneous. One of the most critical points is the digital skills of healthcare professionals, today insufficient to ride the new trends of the technological revolution.
In this scenario, the Pnrr it is a great opportunity not only for the resources deployed – 7 billion for the development of proximity networks, structures and telemedicine for territorial health care, and 8.63 billion for innovation, research and digitalization of the service national health care – but also because it outlines the objectives to be pursued to build the healthcare of the future, from the development of digital culture and skills in doctors and citizens to better governance of digital initiatives and more widespread collaboration between the various players in the health system.
The role of the NRP
There is great anticipation around the so-called “Recovery Plan”, albeit Simona Lissemore, project manager at NetConsulting cube, invites us to take into account any critical issues that may emerge, starting with the time schedule. In fact, he points out that “important delays have already been observed. As far as reforms are concerned, we are in line, if not ahead of schedule, with the projects, the same cannot be said for investments”.
The PNRR spares no resources. For health, 15 billion euros of investments are planned, distributed on two main axes: on the one hand, the component of proximity networkon the other, the component of innovation and digitization. Among other things, the creation of community houses, in which general practitioners, pediatricians of free choice and community nurses will work. There will be then community hospitals, low-intensity care, and hospice, in which sBoth the patient and his family will be taken care of.
The component of House assistance it will be decisive, with the forecast that 10% of the population over 65 with chronic and frailty problems will be managed at home, thanks also to telemedicine supports.
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