Context: Integrated healthcare model (IHM), though it offers immense possibilities, should be viewed with cautious optimism.
About Integrated Health Model (IHM)
WHO defines IHM as “the organization and management of health services so that people get the care they need, when they need it, in ways that are user-friendly, achieve the desired results and provide value for money.”
Technology backed integration: Integrated health-tech platforms beginning to evolve as a one-stop, seamless interface to provide information, facilitate consultation, conduct testing, and make treatment available to patients conveniently and at low costs.
Potential of IHM
Deepening Accessibility, Affordability and Availability: While prices are kept lower, IHM can cover higher volumes by pitching a variety of health products, tests and services serving a greater number of patients through user-friendly tech interfaces.
Diversified funding solutions: Through options including medical insurance, financial loan or crowdfunding.
Market potential: Healthcare is the second-largest consumption basket in India, and outpatient care is emerging to be a fast-growing profit pool for businesses to tap.
Increases the ethical obligation of doctors: As the model presumes that patients are aware of their rights as consumers and assert it by saying no to unnecessary medication or tests.
Challenges and concerns
Increased risks of medical malpractices: Such as compromising patient safety, consent, and antitrust issues as the model places the patients, their records and their choices all under one roof.
Lack of comprehensive data protection laws worsens these risks.
Regional inequalities: Quality and provision of healthcare services has been skewed across different states and even in different regions within a state.
Conclusion:
Leveraging National Digital Health Mission: By integrating role of doctors, service providers, drugs- and device-makers, regulators and patients.
Initiate awareness-building measures: Patients and other stakeholders need to be sensitized on their rights, autonomy and safety.
Evolve market framework with the right balance between profit-making and patient welfare: Focusing on medical ethics, developing a competitive market of verified digital service providers and strict enforcement of data protection and privacy laws.