Dear Readers,
We know that you are almost ready to throw up the out of office message and focus on cookie baking, tree decorating, and package wrapping. But, before you go we wanted to do one final educational series, a deep dive if you will, around digital equity.
Digital equity or digital inclusion can be loosely defined as access to the internet and digital tools. Many industries including finance, healthcare, and education analyze how they can reach more people and what the barriers are to access important information.
In healthcare, there are many opportunities where systems, companies, and patients desire to have access to their medical data. The 21st Century Cures Act actually made it law that patients are required to have access to their medical information. Companies and entities can be fined millions of dollars if they make access difficult. If you would like to learn more about the 21st Century Cures Act go here.
Interoperability is another key component to the success of digital equity and inclusion. It can be defined is “the ability of different systems, devices, applications or products to connect and communicate in a coordinated way, without effort from the end user” according to techtarget.com. Think about all of the doctors, providers, and specialists you visit. Now think about all of the data that they capture when you visit them. It would be the most helpful for you and your health outcomes if you had access to all of that information in a seamless way. Wouldn’t it also be wonderful if your providers had all of that info as well – they could treat your whole person. That holistic approach reminds us of the post we wrote about a values based healthcare model. You can check it out again here. Value in Healthcare Project | Directive Health
The bottom line is that the healthier you are the happier you will be and believe it or not, your community will thrive. It is no surprise that a healthier human has a ton of economic and social benefits.
In addition to articles listed below about digital equity and inclusion, we as a team, are listening to this podcast.
Digital Health by McKinsey & Company
A framework for digital health equity by Nature.com
Using digital health to improve health outcomes and equity by Brookings
Tune in next week for part two of this discussion. We will be sharing how Directive Health is contributing to bridge the gap and make the healthcare industry more inclusive and accessible.
Get your phones ready! Here’s to a healthier, happier, and more connected you.
