COVID-19 as a Driver for Digital Transformation in Healthcare

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on societies and their healthcare systems all over the world. Despite all the disruption the pandemic caused, it also created the opportunity and necessity to accelerate the digital transformation in healthcare. Digital technologies were employed in various ways. First, they were used for treating both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients under social distancing measures via telemedicine. Second, digital technologies such as artificial intelligence or mobile applications were utilized as tools for improving contact tracing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19. In addition, regulations were adapted or suspended in order to facilitate the use of these digital technologies. This chapter not only summarizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation in healthcare, but also aims to provide fresh perspectives on how digitalization can outlast the pandemic and improve healthcare provision in the future.