Digital Health
Digital health refers to the use of digital technologies, data, and software to support and transform healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enable more efficient, accessible, and personalised care. It spans a wide range of innovations, from mobile health apps and wearable devices to artificial intelligence (AI), electronic health records (EHRs), and connected medical devices. At its core, digital health brings together technology, health data, and clinical insight to reshape how care is delivered, coordinated, and experienced.
One of the key drivers behind the growth of digital health is the increasing demand for healthcare services, particularly as populations age and the burden of chronic disease rises. At the same time, advances in consumer technology, cloud computing, and mobile connectivity have made it easier to monitor health remotely, access services digitally, and collect real-time health data. These tools not only support patients in managing their health but also enable clinicians to make more informed decisions and target interventions more effectively.
Artificial intelligence and data analytics are playing an increasingly central role in digital health. From radiology image analysis and diagnostic support to predicting hospital admissions and optimising clinical workflows, AI offers powerful tools to support care delivery and system efficiency. Similarly, remote monitoring and virtual care technologies, such as telemedicine, wearable sensors, and virtual wards, allow patients to receive care outside traditional clinical settings, improving convenience and helping to reduce pressure on hospitals.
Crucially, digital health is not just about technology, but about how systems are designed and connected. Interoperability - the ability for different systems to exchange and use health information - is essential for realising the full benefits of digital tools. Standards, regulation, and data governance play a vital role in building trust and ensuring that innovations are safe, effective, and equitable.
Digital health also offers opportunities to reduce health inequalities by making services more accessible and tailored to individual needs. However, there are also risks if digital exclusion or algorithmic bias are not actively addressed.
As health systems around the world increasingly embrace digital solutions, the focus is shifting from innovation for its own sake to evidence-based adoption that delivers real-world benefits. When done well, digital health can help move care upstream, focusing more on prevention, early diagnosis, and personalised care, and enable a more sustainable and patient-centred health system.
ABHI has an active Digital Health member group, which is working to support the shift from analogue to digital, more details can be found here.