HIMSS23 APAC showcased the healthcare landscape’s dynamic transformation. FHIR adoption surged, with a remarkable pre-conference workshop turnout. Digital twins emerged as a powerful tool for healthcare simulation, and emerging tech focused on foundational changes. Generative AI, like TrakCare Assistant, promised to revolutionize clinician experiences. The event demonstrated the accelerating pace of healthcare technology, driven by a shared commitment to improve accessibility, efficiency, and overall care quality.
The HIMSS23 APAC event left attendees buzzing with excitement as they delved into the fascinating realms of healthcare technology. The pre-conference workshop on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) surpassed all expectations, highlighting the burgeoning interest in this transformative standard. Additionally, significant strides were made in the fields of digital twins, emerging technologies, and generative artificial intelligence (AI).
HIMSS23 APAC’s theme, “Health that Connects + Tech that Cares,” was brilliantly showcased in Indonesia, a country that places digitization and connected healthcare at the forefront of its government agenda. Delegates from various backgrounds converged, all with a shared mission of enhancing healthcare through data and interoperable systems.
One of the driving forces behind this fervor is the growing adoption of the HL7® FHIR® health data standard. Stella Ramette, from InterSystems, emphasized in her keynote that FHIR is the perfect interoperability standard for the internet era. This moment, it seems, has arrived. Across Asia, FHIR is being embraced to establish a web of connected care, improving population health, supporting health planning, empowering patients, and reducing inefficiencies.
FHIR Frenzy:
In Indonesia, deadlines loom for the implementation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and connection to the SATUSEHAT national integrated health data exchange platform. The enthusiasm for FHIR exceeded all expectations, with the pre-conference workshop initially projected to draw 50 delegates but ultimately attracting over 100. These eager attendees are navigating a steep learning curve to master implementation best practices.
Interest extended beyond merely using an FHIR server for interoperability with national health data exchange initiatives. Delegates also gained insights into building FHIR repositories of clean data, unlocking greater value from their organizations’ burgeoning data assets.
Digital Twins:
Digital twin technology is maturing within the healthcare sector, with some groundbreaking applications taking center stage. iMEDWAY, utilizing the InterSystems IRIS for Health™ data platform, presented a digital twin solution for simulating and modeling business processes. Singapore General Hospital shared its digital twin initiative, enabling near real-time monitoring, analysis, prediction, and simulation of disease outbreaks. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital demonstrated enhanced health outcomes by modeling a patient’s recovery or wellness against an ideal twin scenario.
Emerging Technologies:
HIMSS23 APAC placed a strong emphasis on laying the foundations for healthcare transformation with connected care technology, shifting away from the allure of shiny new gadgets. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems took the spotlight as a cornerstone technology, emphasizing their role in digital transformation. Startups like Zi. Care, powered by InterSystems IRIS for Health – Indonesia Edition™, was among the emerging players in the Indonesian market, exemplifying the importance of robust patient data availability and quality.
Generative AI:
The introduction of generative AI to the healthcare landscape was a standout moment at HIMSS23 APAC. InterSystems showcased its belief in how generative AI will revolutionize the clinician Electronic Medical Record (EMR) experience. The TrakCare Assistant functionality, akin to ChatGPT, allows clinicians to effortlessly access information, unearth insights, and generate documentation with just a few keystrokes.
HIMSS23 APAC served as a reminder of the rapid evolution of healthcare technology, driven not merely by novelty but by a collective determination to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and ultimately, better for all.
