Digital health solutions will be critical in delivering more efficient, affordable and effective health-related services, says a new study on digital health innovation. And employers have an essential role to play in health-care transformation by advocating for systemic changes to help make quality health care more affordable and accessible.
In the study by Mercer Marsh Benefits and Mercer and Oliver Wyman more than 16,500 workers and 1,300 senior decision-makers in seven mature and six growth markets across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia were surveyed.
A pro-health culture is in high demand
Key among the findings was that there is a strong business case for digital health; that workers value patient-centred solutions; barriers to adoption are low while trust in employers is high and that a pro-health culture is in high demand.
The study states that corporate investment in worker health and well-being is set to grow over the next five years, and digital health solutions will play a critical role. Two-thirds of the senior decision-makers surveyed say they are likely to invest more in digital health over the next five years. As health-care costs rise, employers are looking to help their people achieve better health outcomes for less.
Workers want digital health solutions
Workers see digital health solutions as having a clear role. Workers say they are willing to share their health data to receive higher quality, more personalized and convenient care. Workers also value a pro-health work culture – which has important implications for digital health solutions.
Digital health technologies, like artificial intelligence and tele-medicine, are providing employers with an unprecedented ability to achieve a competitive advantage, suggests the study. “Investing in personalized, technology-based health care solutions and fostering a culture of well-being will help set employers apart and enable them to build a more engaged, productive and loyal workforce.”
