Many sectors have quickly moved to the cloud in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The value to the healthcare industry is immense.
From an estimated $26.8 billion in 2023, the healthcare cloud computing industry is expected to reach a whopping $76.8 billion by 2026.
It is undeniable that cloud computing has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector, however, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed. Therefore, it is important to consider the advantages of implementing cloud computing in the medical profession and to explore the steps that can be taken to overcome any potential issues.
Examples and Advantages of Cloud Computing for Healthcare
Save Money
Cloud computing eliminates the need for costly servers, software licenses and setup fees. This presents a major cost-saving opportunity for the healthcare industry, particularly due to the vast amounts of data they need to store, modify and access.
Additionally, businesses pay only for the resources they utilize, rather than for a bundled package of features they may never use.
Easy Availability
As long as you have an internet connection, you can access any files or applications that have been saved to the cloud at any time. This gives you access to cloud-based resources, allowing you to retrieve patient data, collaborate on files, or carry out any other tasks that require accessing data.
Document Swapping
Prior to the emergence of cloud computing, transferring patient records between healthcare establishments (e.g. between a hospital and laboratory) was an arduous task which frequently necessitated traditional faxing or postal services. There was no easy way for medical professionals to access this essential information when it was necessary for providing the highest standard of care to patients.
Cloud computing has made the process of sharing and transferring patient electronic health records (EHRs) and other important data significantly faster. Thanks to digital technologies, doctors can now quickly and easily access and share patient information when necessary, such as when a patient needs to switch doctors or wants to share their medical history with other healthcare professionals.
Constant Improvements
Cloud computing systems offer a further advantage in that they require minimal maintenance, particularly when compared to traditionally installed applications. This can be beneficial to healthcare teams, as providers of these solutions typically offer automatic updating, thereby saving time and effort.
Spreading of Data and Analytical Tools
Data and analytics are fundamental to the healthcare industry and cloud computing offers a range of potential advantages. Utilizing this information can enable more informed and strategic decisions to be made about patients, organizations and healthcare programmes.
Restoring Patient Access to Medical Records
Prior to the introduction of cloud computing, accessing patient records was a time-consuming process with limited success. However, cloud computing has enabled easier access to patient health data, providing them with greater autonomy over their healthcare.
Cloud computing provides patients with the opportunity to regain control over their healthcare by enabling them to access their own medical records, communicate directly with their healthcare providers, and manage their own appointments and medications. This enables individuals to take a more active role in their health and wellbeing.
Scalability
Cloud-hosted platforms offer healthcare professionals the benefit of scalability. This makes them adaptable in terms of both their operational capabilities and pricing structures. Depending on the vendor’s charging policies, users have the freedom to adjust their usage or expenditure as required. This is particularly useful for healthcare professionals, who frequently have to manage large amounts of data and often find themselves running out of storage space.
Improvements in Telemedicine
Telemedicine has been available for a while, but its use has significantly increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Cloud-based platforms such as Doxy.me and Updox enable physicians and patients to interact online, rather than requiring an in-person consultation. These services are compliant with HIPAA regulations, making them necessary in the medical field.
Challenges
Security
As healthcare practitioners, we have an immense responsibility when it comes to protecting patient data. With cybercrime and data breaches becoming increasingly prevalent, there is a growing concern about whether cloud computing can effectively guarantee secure data storage.
It is essential to take all necessary precautions when migrating data storage and processing to the cloud, as cyberattacks can occur in any form of storage device. Taking such measures will ensure that your data is secure, and any potential risks are minimised.
Inadequate Knowledge
Cloud computing platforms require specific expertise and skills. While this may present a challenge, it is not an impossible barrier. Healthcare providers and organizations may not have the internal resources available, with the required specialisms, in which case they may need to seek external support from outsourcing companies in order to fulfil their obligations.
Reliability
Cloud systems can be reliable if they are designed with reliability in mind. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware that they may also experience downtime. In the medical field, where dependability is essential, it is wise to anticipate potential interruptions.
Cloud Computing’s Impact on the Future of Healthcare
When considering the potential of cloud technology in healthcare, the advantages are clear. From improved accessibility to the democratization of healthcare data and its scalability, this approach has been widely adopted by healthcare professionals and organizations. It is therefore pertinent to ask, ‘What does the future hold for healthcare and the cloud?’
Identifying talent in the cloud industry, addressing security considerations and other challenges will remain key issues. In order to discover solutions going forward, more in-depth exploration is needed. The emergence of specialists and cost-effective outsourced services in cloud computing has enabled us to move closer towards a more secure and reliable cloud environment.
A survey of healthcare professionals conducted in 2023 revealed that 63% of them stated they would definitely or probably use the cloud to host all of their applications. This is anticipated to increase as organizations become aware of the advantages of storing data on the cloud, and as more remote healthcare services become available.
