Hybrid technology-enabled services are the backbone that will enable a balancing of the books of future healthcare needs and their delivery. Getting it right with musculoskeletal healthcare first, argues Genie Health, will go a long way to alleviating over-burdened healthcare systems and is a win-win for patient and provider.
Digital healthcare provider, Genie Health, which recently launched in South Africa, strongly believes that the growing global musculoskeletal (MSK) crisis that places, in many instances, an unnecessary and increased burden on already strained healthcare systems, can be relieved using technology-enabled platforms.
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the intricate balance between access and cost, as well as resources and demands, remains a pressing dilemma. This issue is particularly pronounced in musculoskeletal (MSK) healthcare, a field that highlights the broader challenges of healthcare delivery.
Dr Reuben Gobezie, co-founder and CEO of USA-based Genie Health, who was in South Africa recently to present at the Digital Health Africa Summit, shared with delegates that, musculoskeletal conditions are exceedingly common – throughout the world. In the United States of America (USA), Gobezie said, “they affect over 50% of Americans and account for 77% of all injury-related healthcare visits. These conditions are not only widespread but also chronic and costly, driving significant year-on-year increases in healthcare costs.
“MSK conditions account for more than $380 billion per year in healthcare spending in the USA, with back pain alone comprising 29% of this expenditure.”
Dr Gobezie also shared that the USA spends 5.8% of its GDP on treating MSK issues alone. And to put this into perspective, South Africa’s private sector healthcare spend is in the region of 6.5% of our local GDP.
This escalating cost underscores a critical issue: the inefficiency when not using technology, a lack of standardised clinical care pathways, and inappropriate utilisation of services. For instance, many patients receive treatment in emergency rooms when they should be managed in outpatient settings, leading to unnecessary imaging and other cost-intensive practices.
The access vs. cost conundrum
The fundamental challenge in health economics lies in balancing access to care with the associated costs. Managing Director of Genie Health in South Africa, Deon Bührs, a physiotherapist and a panellist at the Summit, remarks that, “Digital healthcare delivery models offer a promising solution to this dilemma. Telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and mobile applications can expand access to care while reducing costs. These technologies enable healthcare providers to reach more patients, standardise care pathways, and engage patients actively in supporting their recovery process.”
For example, telehealth physiotherapy, which is at the core of Genie Health’s offering, maintains the essential human connection while allowing physiotherapists and biokineticists to treat more patients efficiently. The company has shown, through its platform in the USA and increasingly in South Africa, that remote patient monitoring leads to better compliance and behavioural change, actively involving patients in their own recovery as well as generating valuable data for clinicians.
Mobile applications further enhance access by standardising care protocols and detecting issues early, preventing costly complications down the line, say Gobezie and Bührs.
To effectively address the access versus cost challenge, collaboration between payers and providers is crucial. Aligning the goals and practices of these stakeholders can facilitate the adoption of technology-driven solutions that are integrated into clinical workflows. This alignment can help mitigate the issues of inappropriate service utilisation and ineffective technology use, ultimately reducing costs and improving access.
A successful healthcare delivery model has always required a comprehensive approach. Today, it needs to encompass secure digital (mobile or PC) video calls, home exercise programme videos, patient education resources, and automated clinical care pathways to cope with the growing sick-care crisis. Integration with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is also essential to ensure seamless data flow and operational efficiency. This integrated approach not only enhances the patient experience but also supports healthcare providers in delivering high-quality care with minimal additional effort and cost, when compared to the outlay costs of brick-and-mortar practice expansion for example.
The economic impact of virtual care
One of the compelling advantages of virtual care is its potential to reduce overall healthcare costs. For instance, the cost of one month of virtual therapy, which includes daily monitoring and weekly telehealth visits, is comparable to the cost of two in-office physiotherapy visits. This cost-effectiveness, coupled with the convenience and accessibility of virtual care, can significantly alleviate the financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system.
Moreover, data from virtual care platforms can drive continuous improvement in clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. By leveraging this data, healthcare providers can refine care pathways, enhance patient engagement, and achieve better health outcomes at lower costs.
The balance between access and cost, and resources and demands in healthcare, particularly in the MSK field, highlight the broader challenges facing the global healthcare system. Innovations in digital healthcare delivery models offer a viable solution to these challenges, promising improved access, reduced costs, and better patient outcomes – including South Africa and the wider African continent, where limited geographic access to healthcare can be mitigated by digital means.
However, realising this potential will require a concerted collaborative effort between payers and providers, the integration of advanced technologies, and a commitment to continuous improvement. .
