How COVID-19 Has Changed Healthcare Industry in 2021?

In this day and age, no other two concepts belong so much together as COVID-19 and healthcare. That thought, however depressing, should be accepted by everyone, given its inevitability. Contrarily, we should also learn to accept that, despite its downsides, this union is not all gloom and doom.

After all, the pandemic has, more or less, become a catalyst for positive change in the healthcare industry as well. From telehealth to the assisted living pharmacy, innovators and professionals took measures to ensure the quality of care and mitigation of disruptions amidst a global health crisis. A large majority of these changes even improved care dispensation as a whole.

Indeed, it’s safe to say that the healthcare industry has undergone a certain degree of transformation. Nonetheless, that’s not to say that COVID-19 is not without its crippling effects. The facts we outlined here prove as much.

Telehealth saw continuous vigorous application:

With its obvious benefit of transmission risk mitigation, it’s no wonder telehealth became the go-to solution by numerous healthcare practitioners worldwide. Telemedical consultation has been announced as the new norm and judging by its adoption in major regions of the world, it will remain so for the foreseeable future.

Telehealth’s rise could be attributed to the openness of the technology. It didn’t take long to train staff about its use. It also unlocked conveniences that could very well become a mainstay in the industry. From forgoing travel and expert advice always within arms’ reach, these advantages would be difficult to cast aside even in the post-pandemic era.

There is a remarkable shift to digital channels, in short, and as much as it benefits both patients and caregivers, the same can be said for the new business models it might unlock in the future.

Healthcare on-demand apps will stay for good:

Startups have sprung up offering remote pharmacy services for assisted living facilities, for example. Doctor on Demand made waves when it introduced a side of telemedicine that could deliver vast conveniences to doctors and patients alike.

Even health and wellness apps that offer real-time expert advice continue to gain traction. These apps obviously continue to be a great boon for patients with comorbidities or individuals that can’t leave their homes.

It led to coordinated efforts and partnerships to solve the most pressing problems:

And at the heart of it all is a visible change in communication as well. Social media, which has been a major platform for that purpose, has yet again demonstrated how much it can aid in healthcare as a whole. Many health professionals and healthcare systems began using social media for maintaining their public relations, for example. Online classes proved to be invaluable platforms where anyone interested can attend sessions where experts can teach them how to better their lifestyle and learn more about health topics in general.

 Healthcare supply chains can now benefit a lot from effective use of data:

It’s no surprise that the pandemic disrupted global healthcare supply chains. As the industry reeled from its onslaught and people learned the hard lessons it taught, it soon became clear that efficient use of data can help mitigate these disruptions and even promote better quality of care in the process.

It’s all about pinpointing and analyzing the right data and using it to make timely decisions that could lead to greater cost-savings and the prevention of small problems becoming bigger ones in the future.

This way, critical supplies such as medicines and PPEs will always be readily available. Of course, to make good use of this data entails accurate forecasting, with probable costs and requirements such as transportation considered. Ultimately, this also requires coordinated, collaborative efforts, especially as timing and the accessibility of data will remain an integral factor in it.

Pharmacy services’ role in improving quality of care continues to rise:

Senior care pharmacy services ensure the elderly will always have access to crucial, life-saving medications. Home care services and the enthusiastic use of digital platforms have led to not only a more efficient healthcare system but have made affordable medications more accessible.

On the flip side, an assisted living pharmacy also offers support in the managerial side of things, particularly when overcoming billing problems and other clinical assistance issues.
Lastly, a senior solutions pharmacy has also opened up opportunities to explore the benefits of telepsychiatry, particularly for patients suffering from chronic mental health issues.

Shortages in finances and staff remain looming obstacles:

Of course, the pandemic has plenty of negative impacts on the industry, too. Financial challenges will likely continue to hound a lot of healthcare systems around the world as a result of the loss of revenue streams.

This may not be so for the more financially-sound institutions pre-pandemic, especially those that were able to smoothly implement telehealth solutions once COVID-19 hit. But for small clinics and hospitals found in rural areas and poor countries it would be a surprise if they’re not struggling to a certain degree.

Another issue involves the shortage of staff, not only in the standard hospital, assisted living, or clinic setting but in pharmacies as well. Whether it’s because of burnout or infection, these circumstances only exacerbated the shortage in healthcare personnel worldwide.

These remain as complex problems in the COVID-19 puzzle. Considering the velocity of vaccine rollout relative to the rate of the appearance of new variants, it’s highly probable that it would take years before a lot of healthcare systems can be deemed to have made a full recovery.

Bay Life Compounding Pharmacy:
Do all these changes amount to a complete metamorphosis for the healthcare industry? That remains debatable. What’s sure is that the pandemic will have lasting effects and that most of its changes involved a huge shift toward doing activities, solving problems, and fulfilling demands digitally.

As we write this, thinkers and innovators are already brainstorming more solutions and modifications to present strategies. We are not alone in saying that we are eagerly anticipating these changes, especially as it could end the pandemic for good and usher in a newer, stronger healthcare industry that can overcome future challenges.