Virtualization of health care: The role of capacity building

Abstract

The transformation of the health care systems from Health 1.0 to 4.0 will bring fundamental changes to the health care sector. Virtualization of health care will improve the delivery of care through patient empowerment, but patients cannot be empowered if they do not have the required capacity (i.e. knowledge, abilities and supporting mechanisms). To achieve virtualization of health care, it is necessary to build capacity. Capacity building is “means by which skills, experience, technical and management capacity are developed within an organisational structure (contractors, consultants or contracting agencies)-often through the provision of technical assistance, short/long-term training, and specialist inputs (e.g., computer systems). The process may involve the development of human, material and financial resources” [1]. Capacity building, on the one hand, can be a means to develop a set of relevant capacities to adopt new virtualised health care technologies in order to improve health outcomes. On the other hand, virtualization of health care can enable capacity building. Digital health care technologies can be used to build up the capacity of patients by increasing their knowledge and skills and help them become active partners in their own health care. In order to entice users to adopt the new health care technology, it is important to address and fulfil their psychological, cultural and interpersonal needs. Psychological models can be used to influence the design and development of health care technologies for Health 4.0 which in turn serve to encourage acceptance and uptake the new digital health care technologies, support individuals in reaching engaging experiences with the new technologies, promoting behavioral change and improving health outcomes.