The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated cloud adoption across industries. For healthcare providers, it means greater accessibility, democratization of data and many other advantages.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated cloud adoption across industries. For health in particular, the benefits cannot be overstated.
The global healthcare cloud computing market which reached around US$26.8 billion in 2020, is projected to grow to US$76.8 billion by 2026.
That said, while cloud computing's potential to transform healthcare – even more than it already is – is great, it's not without its hurdles. Why, then, should you consider employing the cloud in healthcare? And what can you do to face the challenges?
Use cases and benefits of cloud computing in healthcare
Lower costs
Cloud solutions eliminate the need for expensive hardware, installation fees and server costs. Given the amount of data that healthcare providers need to store, manipulate and access, this is a game changer in terms of the expenses they will save.
Additionally, organizations only need to pay for what they actually use at any given time, meaning they won't have to pay substantial fees for services they don't use.
Widespread accessibility
Any data or programs stored in the cloud can be accessed virtually anywhere, anytime as long as you have an internet connection. This means that if you need to extract patient data, collaborate on files, or otherwise query or use information stored in a cloud-based location you can.
Records Sharing
Before the cloud, sharing patient data was a complicated process, even involving manually sending records from the hospital to the facility to the laboratory. When healthcare providers needed to access this critical information, important to providing optimal care, there was no easy, streamlined way to do so.
Cloud computing speeds up this process. Providers can now access and send electronic health records (EHRs) and other information through digital solutions if a patient is changing providers or needs to make their information available to different teams.
Automatic updates
Another advantage of cloud computing platforms is that they require little maintenance, especially compared to software that requires extensive installation. These tools are automatically updated by the providers that offer them, generating less manual work on the part of the healthcare team.
Proliferation of data and analytics
Data and analytics are a critical part of the healthcare field – and cloud solutions offer much of that. This data can be used to make better, more informed decisions about patients, facilities, and healthcare plans in general.
Democratization of health data
Before the cloud, how could patients access their own data? It involved a complex and often inefficient process. Thanks to the cloud, however, patients have greater access to information about themselves, empowering them to make decisions regarding their own health.
Yes, cloud computing puts the power back in the hands of patients themselves, giving them the ability to view information through portals, request prescription refills, and otherwise understand their providers' health plans.
Scalability
Cloud-based platforms can grow and adjust depending on your needs. This is a huge benefit for healthcare providers, who accumulate enormous amounts of data and often require more storage space. Its scalability also means flexibility, both in terms of efficiency and payment models. You can scale up or down—and pay accordingly—at virtually any point, depending on vendor pricing structures.
Increasing Telemedicine Capabilities
Telemedicine platforms have been around for years, but in light of the pandemic, their use has grown significantly. These cloud-based platforms, like Doxy.me and Updox , allow providers and patients to connect digitally – without the need for in-person office visits. They also offer features like HIPAA Compliance a must for healthcare.
Challenges
Security
Healthcare providers are responsible for safeguarding extraordinary amounts of sensitive patient data . With cybercrime, especially data breaches, on the rise, there is some concern about whether the cloud can provide the necessary security and protection.
The fact is that cyberattacks can occur on cloud-based receptacles, servers, and other places. This is why you will need to implement measures that provide protections and limit risks to your data when considering implementing cloud computing measures in your organization.
Lack of experience
Cloud computing platforms demand specialized skill sets and experience. This is not an insurmountable problem, however. Healthcare providers and organizations cannot necessarily rely on in-house professionals unless they have the necessary specializations. Instead, they may have to look elsewhere, such as outsourcing service providers, who can help them meet their needs.
Reliability
Cloud platforms are, for the most part, stable as long as they were built with this quality in mind. Still, they may experience periods of inactivity. As reliability is a must in the healthcare sector, you will need to have contingency plans in place should problems arise.
The future of healthcare and the cloud
What’s next for healthcare and the cloud? So the benefits are clear, from greater accessibility to scalability and democratization of health data . And so far, we've seen healthcare providers and organizations adopt this solution at scale.
In the future, however, we will need to dig deeper to find solutions to the challenges that persist, including finding talent in the cloud space, resolving security issues, and more. Fortunately, we are already making great strides toward a more secure and reliable future in the cloud thanks to experts and cost-effective outsourcing channels that have emerged in the industry.
According to a 2020 Healthcare Industry Survey , two-thirds of respondents said there were no applications they wouldn't consider hosting in the cloud. As remote healthcare options grow and more and more organizations recognize the advantages of the cloud, we will more than likely see this number grow.
