The digital health market in the UAE has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, with a latest survey showing high adoption rates of digital health channels across the value chain.
As high as 71 percent of respondents search medical information online, while 66 percent book medical appointments online and 41 percent use video telemedicine, according to Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) latest survey in 2021.
“Deep diving on the respondents who use video telemedicine, we see overarching trends, including that chronic patients are twice as likely as healthy individuals to use telemedicine (62 percent vs. 34 percent), and that majority (54 percent) of telemedicine usage was conducted through integrated channels operated by provider networks,” Raghid Mahfouz, Principal at BCG, said, commenting on the findings.
On positioning of digital health players across the value chain in UAE, the survey said digital players offering front facing solutions have taken different approaches such as targeting consumers directly (B2C), targeting providers (B2P), insurers (B2I), employers (B2E), and governments (B2G) to access patients.
In addition, some players are offering more value-added services to enable the digital journey through connecting and processing healthcare data, and building top-of-the-line analytics, and value management and predictive tools, the survey pointed out.
Dr. Nikhil Idnani (above), managing director and Partner, BCG, said as consumers of healthcare services and products, patients expect convenience which can be easily enabled through technology solutions such as apps for various requirements.
“Failing to meet patients’ expectations can have broader negative implications like changing doctors frequently or poor treatment compliance,” Idnani said.
The survey also said digital health players focused on analytics were enabling digital transformation in the healthcare sector across key markets in the Middle East.
Follow us on
