COVID-19 and the Digital Transformation of Health Care

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the vulnerability of healthcare delivery to patients worldwide and challenged healthcare providers—not only in treating patients with coronavirus but also in trying to maintain optimal care for non-COVID patients at the same time. But challenging times often provide a fertile environment for innovation, and we have certainly seen major transformation in health care this year, via technology and global models, with the goal to democratize health care and provide greater access and more efficient and effective delivery of healthcare services to patients, regardless of their income or geography. Some of the world’s top leaders and influencers in healthcare delivery transformation and health technologies, including blockchain and telehealth, converged at the 4th Annual CONV2X 2020 Symposium held virtually from November 10 to 12, to talk about healthcare transformation. By far, one of the most widely discussed topics in the many sessions that took place over the 2-day event was virtual health.