Singapore Advances Healthcare, Tackles Issues with Technology and AI

January 17, 2024

Asia’s healthcare hub focuses on medical technologies

Singapore, Asia’s gateway for technology-driven healthcare, has ranked 12th in the 2021 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, providing evidence of its commitment to delivering effective universal healthcare coverage. The nation also surpasses its Southeast Asian counterparts in per capita healthcare spending, a figure expected to rise faster than GDP due to demographic shifts and an aging population. The Ministry of Health (MOH) projects Singapore’s National Health Expenditure to reach US$43 billion in 2030, with healthcare spending potentially accounting for 9.0% of GDP, up from the current 5.9%. With this upward trajectory in Singapore’s healthcare commitment, there is a growing demand for cutting-edge medical technologies, particularly with a focus on preventive care, health screening, early diagnosis, and close monitoring. Despite boasting high life expectancies and the world’s lowest infant mortality rate, Singapore faces the challenge of managing one of Asia’s fastest-aging populations, necessitating an increase in specialized elderly care amid escalating costs.

Report examines Singapore’s tech adoption to enhance care delivery, tackle labor gap

Singapore’s health sector leads in adopting digital technology, aiming to tackle healthcare workforce challenges and enhance efficiency in healthcare delivery across various settings. The Future Health Index 2023 report by Royal Philips, based on a survey of 3,000 respondents, highlights Singapore’s commitment to leveraging technology to benefit patients and healthcare staff. The focus is on creating a more sustainable health industry, encompassing settings from hospitals to homes and communities. The report includes insights from healthcare leaders and younger professionals in 14 countries, showcasing Singapore’s prominence in the global healthcare landscape.

Singapore’s progress in healthcare digitalization is emphasized by Ivy Lai, Country Manager at Philips Singapore, who highlights the importance of continued investment in digital transformation beyond 2024. This investment is seen as crucial to addressing health challenges and aligning with the nation’s Healthier SG strategy. The goal is to extend healthcare beyond traditional hospital settings, fostering coordinated, effective, and inclusive preventive care. The initiative aims to enhance patient experiences, individual and population health, the work life of health professionals, and reduce per capita healthcare costs.

To meet the demands of an aging population, Singapore’s MOH anticipates a need for 24,000 additional allied health professionals and support care staff by 2030. As for labor shortage, the FHI survey reveals that 75% of healthcare leaders in Singapore (above the global average of 56%) either use or plan to use digital health technology to mitigate the impact of workforce shortages. The top three technologies identified for addressing staff shortages include cloud-based technology for remote access to information (53%), solutions connecting with out-of-hospital settings (40%), and workflow technology such as digital health records and patient flow automation (33%).

Digitalization in healthcare key in attracting talent to the industry

According to a survey of younger healthcare professionals who are significant users of artificial intelligence (AI), 31% cited that choosing where to work is a crucial factor. Other significant factors include professional autonomy and the availability of technology for everyday tasks, such as tablets/iPads for notetaking, secure patient portals, both ranking at 24%.

Moreover, the survey highlights that digital technologies play a vital role in enhancing the work satisfaction of younger healthcare professionals. Access to diagnostic capabilities from any location using a smartphone, such as through a portable ultrasound app, is considered valuable by 35% of respondents. The use of chatbots to provide automated answers to basic medical questions is another aspect, appreciated by 33%, along with the portability of healthcare data between hospitals or practices, mentioned by 31%. This indicates a growing recognition among healthcare professionals of the positive impact that digital technologies can have on both workplace satisfaction and the quality of patient care.

Rise of AI in medical care delivery

In response to the pandemic, Singaporean leaders have prioritized extending care delivery outside of hospitals, with 49% of respondents, including healthcare leaders and younger professionals, acknowledging the significant impact of virtual care on improving patient care. According to FHI report findings, 51% of healthcare leaders in Singapore are investing in virtual care, at present, aligning with the global average of 54%. However, this investment is expected to decrease to 11% in the next three years, lower than the global average of 32%.

The report also highlights Singapore’s recognition of the potential of AI in healthcare. Although local healthcare leaders are currently less likely to invest in AI technologies compared to the global average (25% versus 59%), a substantial 84% plan to invest in AI three years from now, mirroring the global average of 83%. Notably, healthcare professionals in Singapore show a preference for investing in AI for predicting outcomes (45% of leaders and 39% of younger professionals) and for clinical decision support (40% of leaders and 37% of younger professionals). This indicates a strong commitment to integrating AI into healthcare for purposes such as disease diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and predicting health outcomes.

AIHGle for safe use of AI

Meanwhile, as AI becomes more common in healthcare, used in various ways from managing tasks to aiding doctors in making decisions for better efficiency and patient outcomes, its use comes with certain risks and ethical concerns if not designed and used safely. Therefore, the MOH, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and Synapxe developed the Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Guidelines (AIHGle) – pronounces as ‘agile’ – to ensure that AI tools are safe for use and provide safeguards for users.

These guidelines include sharing good practices with AI developers (such as companies) and AI implementers (like hospitals or clinics). They also ensure that AI technologies align with HSA’s rules for AI-Medical Devices (AI-MDs). The goal is to keep patients safe, build trust, and provide a clear plan for using AI responsibly in healthcare.

Benefit to the healthcare professionals, environment

Healthcare professionals, including both leaders and younger professionals, in Singapore are envisioning innovative care delivery models that leverage technology and integrate physical and virtual services, aligning with the Healthier SG strategy, the FHI report said. A significant 68% of respondents feel well-equipped to work effectively with these distributed models, surpassing the global average of 59%. The research also indicates a positive impact on staff morale and retention, with expectations of better work-life balance (60%) and greater work satisfaction compared to traditional healthcare models (52%).

While the distributed model of care brings various benefits, respondents, both leaders and younger professionals, identify increased patient compliance or adherence to treatment as the top benefit (34%). Other key advantages include increased revenue opportunities (33%) and enhanced efficiency, including shorter waiting times and more convenient locations for patients (32% each).

Healthcare leaders are prioritizing resources to ensure improved patient outcomes within the new care models. Their top priorities include investing more in staff training (39%), updating existing technology solutions (33%), consulting with vulnerable and underserved populations (32%), and building partnerships outside the healthcare system (32%). On the other hand, younger healthcare professionals are focused on building external partnerships (41%) and automating tasks to enhance productivity (33%).

Healthcare sustainability for the planet

The adoption of technology in healthcare not only enhances patient care but also has positive implications for the environment, according to FHI report. In Singapore, 61% of respondents believe that new care delivery models will contribute to more environmentally friendly and sustainable healthcare practices. Despite this optimistic view, healthcare leaders identify several challenges in implementing sustainability initiatives, with 34% citing limited access to appropriate technology as a primary barrier. Other obstacles include personnel issues such as a lack of internal expertise (33%), limited interest from staff (32%), and a shortage of staff in general (30%).

To address these challenges, healthcare leaders in Singapore propose various strategies. Creating a strong business case is the most commonly endorsed approach, with 41% supporting this solution. Additionally, 35% advocate for sharing best practices with peers, collaborating with third-party entities, and recruiting staff with more specialized skills. These efforts reflect the recognition of the importance of overcoming technological and personnel-related barriers to enhance sustainability in healthcare practices.

Source: Royal Philips PR /MOH Singapore/International Trade Administration

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