Enhancing Digital Performance in Healthcare: The Importance of Standards and Incentives
Achieving full adoption of technology and sustainable transformation in the NHS requires closer coordination, consistency, and an improved contractual incentive structure, as discussed at a recent BT-sponsored roundtable.
Barriers to digital change were highlighted, with a focus on scaling up projects and achieving interoperability. Stakeholders, including clinicians, consultants, and digital health suppliers, emphasized the need for strategic vision and improved productivity in the NHS.
Participants stressed the importance of making pilot projects easily scalable across the NHS and mandating standards and governance for digital technology. They also discussed the need for adapting general practice contracts to incentivize data sharing and fostering a patient-centric approach to technology.
Survey results showed optimism among the public and NHS staff regarding the use of technology in healthcare. The majority agreed that technology improves care quality but highlighted the current stress caused by outdated technology in the workplace.
Identified technology solutions that deserve further support include digital diagnostics, consultations, and tools to reduce waiting times and enable faster diagnoses. The potential of AI and virtual wards to improve patient outcomes and cut costs was also recognized.
