Digital transformation headlines Healthcare Asia Forum in Jakarta

Experts from various healthcare organizations reveal key trends and tech innovations applied in the industry to provide patients the best services.

To highlight the key trends and issues shaping the future of the health sector, Healthcare Asia magazine brought together experts and industry leaders for a forum at the Pullman Thamrin in Jakarta last May 2. Twelve speakers invited to take the stage at the half-day Healthcare Asia Forum Jakarta shared their insights on various topics from rising consumerism in the industry, to the demand for multidisciplinary care teams, and the emergence of digital tools and technology to revolutionising patient care and services.

Winning model for patient care

 Starting off the forum was Arathi Sasidharan, a partner at Bain & Company, whose presentation on “Front Line Perspectives on the Future of Healthcare in APAC” set the tone for the rest of the discussions.

 Arathi said her organization has identified four significant findings from the Asia Pacific frontline, namely:

1) Rising consumerism in health that shows 50% of the region’s patients being willing to pay more in exchange for better outcomes and efficiency;

2) A realignment of trust among stakeholders, whereas primary and secondary providers and health-tech companies work together to give patients the best services;

3) A desire for simplicity and convenience as patients have been observed to want a single touchpoint to manage care; and

4) New tech-enabled healthcare norms where the use of digital tools facilitate the best results in patient care.

 She also presented a three-step winning model for the health sector in the future, beginning with “focus on patient centricity.” To achieve this, there must be multidisciplinary care teams that include social workers, primary care physicians, nurses, and health coaches, all of whom focus on providing the best health services to the patient.

The second is by “staying connected,” which refers to a seamlessly connected experience where patients are enabled by digital tools and supported by increasingly tech-savvy clinicians.

Third in Arathi’s winning model is the omnichannel. She suggests an integrated omnichannel delivery across in-person, virtual, and at-home care.

Coaching is important

One very important point raised at the Healthcare Asia Forum was the need for people in the industry to upskill and upgrade.

In her lecture titled, “Coaching in the Healthcare Industry,” Dr. Vera Indrayani Sadeli emphasised that frontline healthcare workers need to upgrade themselves and provide the best service possible in the sector.

Dr. Vera, who is the COO of UniMedika Hospitals Group, highlighted that powerful questions start with ‘what’ because it shows that a medical frontliner is clearly intent on finding out how to provide better care. “This will then lead to actions, and in the end will be oriented towards goals and solutions,” said the certified leadership coach.

Digital innovation is key

Thoroughly impressed during Healthcare Asia’s Jakarta forum was the key role of digital innovation in shaping the future of better health services.

Dr. Susan Ananda, CEO of Premier Jatinegara Hospital, underscored that innovation in technology is now part of the best industry practices in the healthcare sector. Employing technology in the service system empowers patients to manage the care they want with utmost convenience.

Susan cited as an example the digital innovations implemented at Premier Jatinegara Hospital, such as the 24-hour appointment registration, registration via whatsapp chatbot, self check-in which shortens waiting time, making independent payments via kiosks, and using drug delivery services.

Revolutionising patient care

Sharing the stage for the first panel session of the Healthcare Asia Forum were prime movers in the industry who gave their insights on the theme, “The Digital Future of Healthcare: Revolutionising Patient Care and Enhancing Access to Health Services.”

Chris Hardesty, a partner at Singapore-based private asset manager Pureland Group, moderated the discussion with panelists Alan Ong, a principal at Boston Consulting Group; Dr. Ben Widjaja, president director of Mandaya Hospital Group; and Dr. Dewa Ayu Nyoman Martasari Badung, quality management representative of Premier Bintaro Hospital.

Dr. Ben underscored that healthcare digitalisation needs to happen now, while ensuring quality, safety, and improving medical personnel’s capabilities.

For her part, Dr. Dewa Ayu stressed the need to implement electronic medical records (EMR) and how it can help collect and analyze patient data and transfer medical records contents for referral to other healthcare facilities. She said the Indonesian government is actively promoting this practice as a standard in the healthcare industry.

Read: Indonesia's journey towards electronic medical records

Transforming healthcare in Indonesia

Access and affordability were highlighted as major issues in the healthcare sector in Indonesia during the Healthcare Asia Forum.

Sanath Kumar, partner and SEA Healthcare lead, emphasized that healthcare expenditure in the country is largely out of pocket and not within the reach of all Indonesians. Sanath suggested implementing PULSE, which stands for Prioritize digital initiatives strategically, Upgrade and integrate legacy systems to align on data governance, Leverage startup ecosystem partnerships, Setup and scale digital laboratories, and Elevate towards more patient-centric.

Ardantya Syahreza, a former deputy director of Persada Hospital and chairman of the Malang Health Tourism Board, spoke at the forum about promoting medical and wellness tourism. He expressed optimism at the prospect of Indonesia becoming a medical tourism destination for foreign tourists. Ardantya said realizing that goal would minimize Indonesians seeking treatment abroad.

Suci Arumsari, an expert on telemedicine service in Indonesia, stressed the importance of having easily accessible information and knowledge about health for Indonesians. The co-founder and president director of Alodokter said patients must have access to accurate information and the opportunity to ask questions to doctors. She highlighted how her company features health content, hospital booking, and e-pharmacy.

Diving deeper into the theme, “Transforming Healthcare in Indonesia: Opportunities and Challenges,” the forum wrapped up with a discussion featuring Ardantya Syahreza, Dr. Aditya Nugraha, Hospital Director of Primaya Hospital Semarang, Agustine Gunawan, Alodokter senior vice president of partnership, at the panel, and Charlton Media Group Publisher Tim Charlton as the moderator.

Agustine underscored how digital healthcare providers work hand in hand and complement the work of physical healthcare providers. Alodokter, which positions itself at the center of these efforts, can reach people throughout Indonesia, including those in remote areas “so that more people can benefit from reliable health service applications,” she said.