Digital transformation in the healthcare sector

: how digital platforms can improve the healthcare industry

Abstract

The healthcare industry currently is going through a digital transformation. New technol ogies impact the structure of the industry as well as the business models of existing healthcare organizations. Through this transformation, new industry opportunities arise. This thesis aims to analyze the potential that digital healthcare platforms can offer to organizations and their stakeholders, and how these platforms can improve the healthcare system. Based on the analysis of eight expert interviews, the key findings emphasize the importance of creating patient­focused platforms to improve access to healthcare. It is crucial to overcome industry challenges such as tight regulatory restrictions, to be able to build a digital healthcare ecosystem that connects different players and combines their distinct goals. Key drivers that impacted the rise of patient­centered platforms and here with simplified access to healthcare were advances in technology, the COVID­19 pan demic, regulatory changes, and increased patient empowerment. New value streams open up for healthcare organizations when implementing platforms that aim to digitalize the patient journey end­to­end. By addressing new patient needs and entering new markets with the help of digital tools, revenues can be increased. Encouraging information sharing and collaboration among stakeholders within the healthcare system is cost and time effi cient and can contribute to improved profitability. Digital platforms are an attractive op portunity for healthcare organizations and can contribute to an improved healthcare in dustry by creating an interconnected ecosystem.

Date of Award	5 Jul 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Régis Coeurderoy (Supervisor)