Trends for building a more connected, humane, efficient and sustainable healthcare future
Both in the European and global framework, healthcare systems are being redefined through the drive for artificial intelligence, data interoperability and new patient-centered care models.
This evolution presents an unprecedented opportunity for technology companies and healthcare organizations: to accompany and lead this change with ethical, scalable and sustainable solutions.
This document presents a synthesis of the main trends that will set the course for digital health in 2025 and 2026, according to experts from academia and industry.
Artificial Intelligence: at the service of professionals and patients.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is establishing itself as a catalyst for more efficient, personalized and patient-centered care. Its value lies not only in diagnostic accuracy, but also in its ability to free up clinicians’ time and allow them to concentrate on what is truly important: the doctor-patient relationship.
Recent studies confirm that deep learning (DL) models are already outperforming professionals in diagnostic accuracy in certain areas, such as breast cancer screening. The Digital Health Technology Vision 2025 report highlights that the adoption of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) will grow significantly over the next two years, especially in the areas of chronic disease, emergency and mental health.
In this context, some organizations are applying AI in chronic wound care through intelligent recommendation systems that integrate medical history, previous treatments and injury characteristics to propose personalized interventions. These tools generate tangible value for care teams and are demonstrating improvements in efficiency, resource use and clinical outcomes.
2. Hybrid care models: continuous and flexible care
Telemedicine is consolidating its position as a structural component of healthcare. The report The future of healthcareby McKinsey predicts that up to 25% of consultations could be managed virtually in digitized urban environments. The key is to evolve towards hybrid models that integrate digital and face-to-face care in a coordinated way, always with a patient-centered approach.
In response to this need, several initiatives are exploring home telemonitoring models that allow remote monitoring of chronic patients. These models integrate healthcare and social-healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, continuous and patient-centered care. They facilitate the monitoring of people with complex chronic pathologies at home and connect professionals from different levels of care and fields (health and social services).
The incorporation of predictive models makes it possible to anticipate flare-ups and complications, which improves patients’ quality of life and reduces healthcare costs by reducing emergency department visits and preventable admissions. This multiprofessional approach favors continuity of care, optimizes the use of resources and improves the patient experience.
3. Interoperability and data spaces: a connected medicine.
The European Commission promotes the European Health Data Space (EHDS), expected to be implemented this year.which is expected to be implemented this year. This environment will facilitate secure, cross-border access to clinical data, promoting data-driven, real-time medicine, a fundamental component for the development of the 5Ps: Personalized, Predictive, Preventive, Participatory and Population Medicine.
One of its great promises is the integration of genomic data with clinical and pharmacological information to move towards more precise and personalized medicine.
Recent studies published in Nature Reviews Genetics and NPJ Digital Medicine highlight the need for common frameworks to integrate omics data into European healthcare systems, ensuring semantic interoperability, equity and data protection.
Along these lines, pharmacogenomics-based solutions are beginning to be developed that use patient genetic profiles to support clinical decisions on pharmacological treatments. These tools make it possible to avoid adverse reactions and improve the effectiveness of therapies. Experiences in our company have demonstrated the value of applying pharmacogenomics integrated to the electronic medical record in prescription optimization programs.
4. Digital sustainability: measurable results and shared value.
The success of a digital solution lies in its concrete impact on health outcomes, operational efficiency and patient experience. According to the WHO, only those technologies capable of demonstrating measurable results will be able to scale sustainably.
In this context, intelligent appointment management systems emerge as a key tool for improving the sustainability of the healthcare system. By optimizing the scheduling of clinical appointments based on historical data, patient and professional profiles, as well as consultation times, these technologies enable a more efficient use of human and technical resources.
In addition to improving the patient experience and reducing the administrative burden, its impact can be measured in terms of reducing waiting lists, reducing absenteeism and increasing the resolution capacity of health centers. These metrics make possible an objective evaluation of the value generated, facilitating the scalability of initiatives based on the results obtained.
5. Talent and digital culture: capabilities to sustain transformation.
Cultural change and training of professionals are key elements for the success of any digital health strategy. The European project SUSA project is committed to training healthcare professionals in emerging technologies such as AI, data management and interoperability, in line with the needs of the healthcare systems of the future.
In this context, digital training programs are being consolidated in hospitals and regional health services to facilitate the effective adoption of new technologies. These initiatives promote digital leadership in clinical and management teams, favoring a sustainable digital transformation.
Creating the future and driving the value of digital health
Digital health is not just a technological issue: it represents a new way of conceiving medicine, of facilitating the connection between professionals and patients, and of generating shared value in healthcare systems.
In this context of transformation, several organizations, such as Grupo Oesía, are taking an active role in the accompaniment of public and private institutions, contributing with knowledge, experience and commitment to the evolution of the assistance model.
As Dr. Jaume Raventós, a reference in healthcare management and digital transformation in Spain, pointed out:
“Digital health is not just a tool, it is the vehicle to transform the system and put the patient back in the driver’s seat.”
The integration of data, technology and evidence-based solutions is making it possible to move towards more efficient, sustainable and people-focused models. This evolution requires a shared vision and close collaboration between all players in the healthcare ecosystem.