Healthcare systems globally are often under immense pressure, facing challenges from overcrowded wards and rising costs to ensuring equal access to care. With patients requesting on-demand healthcare and enhanced accessibility, the industry is increasingly exploring innovative solutions to optimise delivery and efficiency.
Today, technology – specifically remote connectivity – offers robust solutions for healthcare providers. By using digital tools, healthcare providers can enhance their patient care service capabilities in even the most challenging circumstances. Healthcare providers and patients are seeing high level results, showcasing the transformative impact of these technologies on the well-being of individuals seeking care.
Virtually bringing specialists to the bedside
One critical issue is the shortage of healthcare workers, especially in regions where patients often have to travel long distances for specialist care. For instance, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare almost 60% of Australia’s rural population lack access to specialists locally. This gap underscores the importance of health accessibility.
Through the integration of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) combined with TeamViewer’s remote assistance, means specialists can virtually be at the patient’s bedside guiding local caregivers. This technology significantly reduces wait times, hospital referrals and improves response times, enabling providers to deliver effective care across diverse and remote locations.
For Uniting, an Australian aged care and community services provider, the implementation of smart glasses, equipped with TeamViewer’s Frontline Assist, led to a 62% reduction in hospital admissions and a 75% decrease in response times for health issues. Additionally, it resulted in significant annual savings by eliminating the need for clinical nurse travel.
From land to sea: healthcare can travel anywhere
In many rural communities, high standard healthcare is scarce. With the majority (50%) of the world living near coastlines, Mercy Ships operates the two largest non-governmental hospital ships in West Africa. Using remote connectivity, the ships reach some of the world’s most isolated groups to provide essential care.
Adopting seamless connectivity, specialist pathologists situated far from the ship can assist with diagnosing complex, life-threatening diseases onboard. This remote access model could be replicated in rural areas worldwide, from the Scottish Highlands to Papua New Guinea, which has an 86% rural population.
Reducing hospital overcrowding and costs
With hospitals operating at full capacity, especially given ageing populations, remote monitoring offers a compelling solution to supporting the growing demand. In the US, Integris Neuro uses TeamViewer’s remote connectivity solutions to monitor patients at home, utilising electroencephalogram (EEG) data. This approach not only frees hospital beds but also cuts costs by enabling care outside of hospital settings.
How remote connectivity is transforming accessibility, cost efficiency, and quality of care
These examples highlight the essential role of technology in addressing current and future healthcare issues. Remote connectivity solutions are creating a more responsive and flexible healthcare system, allowing specialists and caregivers to collaborate in real-time to provide high-quality patient care regardless of location.
Beyond the accessibility benefits, remote connectivity also provides a rapid return on investment for companies by reducing employee travel costs and hospital admissions.
Integrating technologies, such as remote connectivity, is able to completely transform the way healthcare is delivered, becoming truly accessible, cost-effective and efficient for all.
Peter Turner
Peter Turner is Chief Commercial Officer at TeamViewer, a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind – from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots.
