Personalisation of treatment pathways – analysis of chances and barriers by the implementation of digital technologies under the conditions of the German Health System [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Abstract

Background: The potential of digital technologies is far from being exhausted for patients. The regulatory framework becomes a brake on innovation due to digitalisation, but also due to the trend towards individualisation. Strategies, corporate culture and processes, which are necessary for the design of high-quality and cost-effective healthcare services, are still lacking in many healthcare providing organisations. Health Services 4.0 and patient integration as leverage: With Health Services 4.0 it is possible to improve the outcome of the individual healthcare service and meet the regulatory requirements. This requires the capabilities of the provider to dynamically balance exploitation and exploration. The challenges are to develop innovations in a continuously changing working environment and/or to adapt (medical) technical innovations into their own service processes. Conclusion: This article is focused on hypotheses of cause-and-effect analyses formulated as scenarios, related to the implementation of digital technologies in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness for a high medical expertise as well as for a higher level of service quality. The output is a more detailed analysis of key value drivers, success factors as well as internal and external value generators for the design of Health Services 4.0. Up to now many issues regarding the use of digital technologies are still only partly analysed and not yet proved for a more efficient care on high-quality level. The company's capacity for ambidexterity is becoming an important dynamic capability, with on one hand flexibility for new developments and on the other hand stability for hard factors in physical value chains and soft factors in value-oriented attitudes and behaviour based on empathy. This article was previously published in German in "Monitor Versorgungsforschung" under the original title " Personalisierung von Behandlungspfaden – Das Potenzial digitaler Technologien". This translated version faithfully reflects the authors, data, and interpretations of the original.