Read original Dec. 15 article in Health IT Outcomes

As 2020 draws to a close, we can safely say this year was filled with monumental changes: some bad and some good. Alongside the environmental and biological catastrophes, we witnessed a political transformation, the evolution of various social movements, and the accelerated advancement of technology. Digital solutions have rapidly adapted to fill many of the gaps created by social distancing and the increased need for connection and communication.

One example is Orbita’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Access Program that developed to support vaccine administration and address patient apprehension and concerns. …

Very few events and paths in our lives occur in a truly linear fashion. Sometimes we intentionally choose a fragmented path, while other times it can be impacted by external factors beyond our control.

The healthcare journey is a prime example of a nonlinear journey that has been especially fragmented recently amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This massive and unanticipated event significantly disrupted the care experience by challenging traditional communication touchpoints and continuity of care.

Fragmentation in healthcare refers to the lack of coordination or misalignment of decisions among participants in the care journey, primarily a patient and their care team.

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Now more than ever, we welcome the highly-anticipated changes coming in 2021 as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes a tangible solution to quell the pandemic.

The mayhem and prevailing air of uncertainty throughout the past year has triggered many changes in the way we work, travel, communicate, and especially in how we deliver and receive healthcare. As healthcare organizations became increasingly overwhelmed, patients’ concerns and need for support also grew, creating the daunting task of maintaining high-quality patient care and engagement across the board.

In response, many healthcare organizations have welcomed innovation and rapid adoption of technology to offer more support…

In the healthcare industry’s endeavor to deliver high-quality care, technology has demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating burdens and streamlining processes. Artificial intelligence (AI) has augmented several sectors of healthcare including diagnostic imaging, genetic diagnosis, screenings, and electronic health records.

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in healthcare has opened the door for a necessary shift in healthcare and related solutions from provider-centric to patient-centric. While you may think of healthcare as an inherently patient-oriented service, healthcare organizations have largely operated to support providers in their work.

“Hospital policies, practitioner admitting privileges, purchasing (especially in the OR), and scheduling have often developed around physician preferences.”
-American Journal of Nursing

In the last 30 years, we’ve progressed from “Ask Mom or Dad” to “Ask Alexa or Siri” if we have a question.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented unemployment rates and the subsequent loss of employer-sponsored health insurance, which has disproportionately impacted populations that are already vulnerable and at risk.

Since February 2020, upwards of 14 million Americans have lost employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI), including those directly unemployed and dependents covered by ESI.

While many countries rely on a national healthcare system, the U.S. has a direct-fee system, in which patients under 65 are expected to independently pay for medical costs aided by private insurance — which is often covered by employers.

A contentious topic in the U.S. is the dependence…

The necessity for contactless care and virtual support amid the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the telehealth revolution.

Prior to the recent pandemic, only 14% of Americans had ever used a telehealth platform to connect with a provider.