The health care industry is undergoing a digital transformation, as technology and data power more convenient, accessible, and personalized health care experiences.

A new paper by Cigna Healthcare explores three key areas of innovation:

1. The convergence of digital and in-person care
2. The expansion of mental health access through digital tools
3. The use of data and analytics to improve quality, coordination, and precision of care

The key insights: Digital technology such as virtual care, mobile health apps, wearable devices, online health coaching, and remote patient monitoring is not overshadowing human care, but amplifying and empowering it. This enables more precise, seamless, and proactive health care experiences that focus on the whole person and improve health outcomes.

Let’s look at some key takeaways.

1. Digital and in-person care are converging

Digital and in-person care are coming together to create a more comprehensive and seamless experience for patients. For example, tools like mobile health apps are helping people manage their health more conveniently and consistently. These tools encourage engagement between in-person visits to the doctor and provide data insights, which can identify other health concerns and inform proactive outreach.

Virtual care appointments are on the rise among adults of all ages, with a significant increase in the use of virtual primary care, especially for wellness screenings and routine care for chronic conditions. We believe that remote patient monitoring will soon become a crucial component in supporting patients with chronic health conditions, allowing for real-time health care delivery.

2. Digital tools are expanding access to mental health care

With a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas, digital tools help bridge the gap. Digital technologies like virtual care appointments enable behavioral health providers to reach more patients, including those in underserved areas, while mobile apps and other online tools place behavioral health providers just a click or tap away.

Data and new technology can enhance measurement-based behavioral health care, which will improve the diagnosis and management of conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. For example, artificial intelligence is being used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to reduce the administrative burden for providers, allowing them to spend more time providing quality care for patients living with autism.

3. Data and defragmentation will improve experiences and outcomes

Data and technology are poised to create a more personalized, connected, and seamless experience. By harnessing the power of data science and predictive modeling, the health care system can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and address fragmentation. Machine-learning algorithms, for example, are making groundbreaking improvements in the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment recommendations.

We also expect that data and technology will shift the focus from treating diseases to preventing them by identifying people at risk early on and offering coordinated experiences to help prevent diseases and conditions from developing. Finally, data and technology have the power to enable better collaboration among providers and simplify the experience for patients.

The future of health care is digitally enabled 

Today’s digital tools and those on the horizon complement and bolster the clinician’s ability to provide nuanced care and extend access to more patients, helping them be actively engaged in their health journey. Additionally, the data gleaned from digital patient engagements is changing the game in terms of what’s possible from a measurement and early identification standpoint. Technology has become a facilitator that provides a deeper dive into patient care, enabling informed, precise, personalized, and seamless patient experiences.

This content was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Cigna’s editorial team.