Five healthcare phases form the basic structure of trends and developments
In Healthcare Enablers we bring together the most important technological trends and developments. These are technologies that will take their place in the various phases of the healthcare process. From pre-care and diagnostics to treatment and aftercare, in preventive, curative and long-term care. We have classified the technologies according to the phases of healthcare that make up the HealthValueCycle, as described in Diagnosis Healthcare Innovation in 2013.
In the HealthValueCycle the central focus is on the individual and the healthcare process has a cyclical character. The main principle is the quality of life of the individual, in which vitality and wellbeing are the two most important elements. ‘Being healthy’ is no longer defined as the absence of disease, but as ‘the ability to adapt and make your own choices in the context of social, physical and emotional challenges in life’.
The five phases of healthcare are:
For each phase we describe a number of important technological developments and give practical examples. Most of the technologies can be applied in multiple phases of healthcare and will affect everyone involved in the healthcare system.
The aim of PREVENTION is to ensure that people stay healthy. It has a universal approach: improving and protecting health. But it can also be selective, deemed necessary, or disease- related: preventing illness and complications or detecting them early. Preventon is associated with health promotion initiatives by the government, employers, educational institutions or healthcare organizations.
HEALTHY LIVING refers to an individual’s own behaviour and responsibilities. The most important motivation for starting to live a healthier life depends on the confrontation of an individual with him or herself. Facts about a person’s own health serve as a mirror.
Within this phase of healthcare, the following technological trends are identified:
CONSULTATION is an integral part of almost every interaction between a healthcare professional and healthcare user in the healthcare process, but also between the healthcare user and other healthcare users. A consultation gives healthcare users the opportunity to ask for advice and discuss subsequent steps.
A consultation can lead to a diagnosis, the prescription for treatment, or the decision to refrain from treatment. The position of the individual in the consultation process is changing. Technological developments are strongly influencing this change.
Within this phase of healthcare, the following technological trends are identified:
DIAGNOSIS comprises all analysis techniques, procedures, and types of research and research results that aim to identfy the cause of a health problem. In the area of diagnosis, a lot has changed in the relationship between healthcare professional and healthcare user, partly because those who need healthcare have more knowledge and information at their disposal. Technological developments put them more in control.
Within this phase of healthcare, the following technological trends are identified:
TREATMENT focuses on recovery from physical, mental and social health problems, or avoidance of aggravation of these problems, through medical, behavioural and/or paramedical treatment. It also comprises the facilitation of nursing and care, and anticipating the patient’s physical circumstances and tasks he or she will be able to perform.
GUIDANCE refers to stabilizing or activating a person’s mental, social and physical performance.
Within this phase of healthcare, the following technological trends are identified:
CONTROL comprises the verificatIon that treatments and support achieve the desired effect in patIents as well as the verificatIon of compliance.
MONITORING can be a tool for control, for examining progress, and for reactive compliance.
Within this phase of healthcare, the following technological trends are identified: