REMOTE WORK AND VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE: THE FUTURE OF EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
There’s no gainsaying that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in major industry changes and restructuring, principal amongst which is a remote work and virtual service delivery structure. This digital shift, further emphasized by Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and automation, is one of the standout trends that has seen industry wide adoption because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, the demand for virtual operations and a virtual workforce has grown exponentially. Remote work has become essential. Developing systems, structures and business models to support this virtual reformation has never been more integral to a company’s growth.
While there was a quick response by businesses and industries to the Covid-19 pandemic; considering virtual services as a new business model is critical for employers, not just to cope with a pandemic.. This will enable them to develop more sustainable structures to accommodate a virtual workforce.
Taking Remote Work Strategies to the Next Level
With the widespread adoption of remote work, we do not expect conventional business practices to change. It was simply a knee-jerk response when businesses faced no viable alternative. However, nearly two years in and remote working has essentially transformed industry businesses and their work models.
However, it would seem that the adoption rate of remote working and virtual service delivery by health systems is relatively slow, especially when compared to that of other industries. This can be problematic, especially when virtual operations might expand the talent pool, deepen employee satisfaction, drive productivity and efficiency in service delivery, while changing cost structures.
Harnessing the value of this transformation requires a dynamic and flexible strategy and a commitment to tracking relevant metrics in real time. KPIs that zero in on areas such as effectiveness of training, survey results and engagements also become key in running virtual operations. In time past, monthly, weekly and sometimes daily metrics might have been enough to monitor productivity, however, real-time monitoring of productivity is essential to establish a thriving virtual service and remote work system.
The Benefits of Remote Work in Providing Virtual Healthcare
Business innovations are pushing digital frontiers in order to advance their businesses and service offerings. Long lines at banks, atms and even shopping malls are dwindling as you can order anything online and have it delivered.
However, there’s still somewhere you’re still guaranteed a long wait time…the hospital.
Virtual care encompasses diverse tech-driven tools which aid in the remote delivery of health care. When leveraged properly, this doctor-led service can help in effectively diagnosing and/or treating illnesses.
Beyond treating illnesses, it could also offer services that work proactively to help people get healthy and stay healthy. With virtual care, technology is simply the medium of providing healthcare services. Whether it’s via emails, mobile apps, phone calls, texts or video. Affordability, convenience and quality of care are the pillars for building a remote service structure.
Desire for virtual health will grow, especially among ex-pats staying in places where quality health care is difficult to access.
The Impact of Virtual Healthcare on Corporate Health and Wellness
Employers who are passionate about productivity have a vested interest in virtual care. Leveraged properly, virtual care substantially reduces costs accrued from employee absence because of illness.
The first step is finding a value-based virtual care service provider. Educating the employees comes next. There will definitely be an integration process with some adopting faster than others. However, early adopters should be used in driving the virtual health service agenda.
It’s about making health care costs more sustainable in the long term and ensuring a sustainable future for the organization. By providing everyday solutions that help people keep fit and well as part of their benefits package, chances are that virtual care adoption and healthcare remote work structures will rise as people come to view it as a useful wellness tool, rather than a tool for people once they’re unwell.
The Future of Remote Work and Virtual care in the Health Sector
The simple answer, anything from diagnosing ailments to automated drug dispensaries. Machines will handle some things that would ordinarily be handled physically, such as doctor consultations. We expect disruptive innovation to continue as technological advancement and penetration continue.
Conclusion
In the coming years, we bound remote work and virtual health care to become an integral part of employee-welfare packages and work benefits. While adaptation to this model might be slow, its value and overall benefit to the marketplace guarantees that its arrival is imminent, and its permanence is definite.
