Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the publication of its Future Health Index (FHI) 2019 report: 'Transforming healthcare experiences: Exploring the impact of digital health technology on healthcare professionals and patients' [1]. The report reflects independent research, commissioned by Philips, of what is required to accelerate the shift from volume-based to value-based care in the global drive for sustainable healthcare systems.

Now in its fourth year, the report focuses on the role digital health technology plays in improving both the individual citizen and the healthcare professional experience – two elements of the 'Quadruple Aim' in healthcare. The FHI finds that, despite the majority of individuals wanting access to their digital health record (DHR) and being prepared to share it more widely with healthcare professionals, insufficient data sharing currently takes place. This is especially true for data collected by individuals themselves. While around two-fifths of healthcare professionals recommend that patients track health data, such as their blood pressure (44%) or weight (39%), only 9% said that most or all of their patients share this data with them on an ongoing basis.

"Two-way sharing of information is not only essential to deliver the right care at the right time, it also helps to improve the patient and clinician experience," said Jan Kimpen, Chief Medical Officer for Philips. "Informed and empowered patients also take better care of their health, which contributes to the last element of the Quadruple Aim – lower cost of care. Today's Future Health Index report highlights that health and healthcare is all about people. For example, the patient-clinician relationship is highly symbiotic. In terms of each party's well-being, what one side does affects the other and vice versa."

The Future Health Index 2019 report's researchers identified three key themes:


1. Engaged and digitally enhanced healthcare professionals

This theme focuses on how healthcare professionals are increasingly using and advocating digital health technology to improve their own experiences. The report highlights that the majority of healthcare professionals are adapting to new ways of working, with 76% reporting that they use digital health records within their hospital/practice, and 80% sharing patient information electronically with other healthcare professionals inside their health facility.

U.S. Healthcare Homepage