An international workshop on "Healthcare Digital Transformation and Building Smart Hospitals: International Experience and Implementation in Vietnam" recently brought together experts from the United Kingdom and Vietnam in Da Nang. Organized by the Vietnam Medical Informatics Association, TPP Healthcare Technology Joint Stock Company (UK), and Health & Life Newspaper, the event focused on establishing an integrated care system. This system aims to seamlessly connect all examination and treatment activities, truly placing patients at its center.

Overview of the workshop on 23/6. Photo: TPP

Addressing the gathering, Frank Hester OBE, founder of TPP and developer of the SystmOne electronic health record platform, highlighted a critical challenge in modern healthcare: information fragmentation. He noted that data often remains scattered across various locations, preventing doctors from accessing comprehensive patient information precisely when it is most needed. Drawing from his personal journey, Mr. Hester developed the "One Patient - One Record" model. This innovative approach ensures a patient's entire care journey is recorded and shared seamlessly among all healthcare facilities involved.

Frank Hester OBE, founder of TPP. Photo: TPP

Doctor Matt Curtis from the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom offered insights into integrated care, emphasizing that its effectiveness lies primarily within the primary healthcare network, not solely in tertiary hospitals. He underscored the vital role of grassroots healthcare in delivering essential services such as vaccinations, disease screenings, chronic disease management, maternity care, and long-term health monitoring for communities. With global populations aging and non-communicable diseases on the rise, nations are increasingly adopting proactive, preventive, and lifelong health management models. A cornerstone of this shift is the need for every citizen to possess a continuous electronic health record, connected across local and central healthcare levels. This enables consistent health monitoring, moving beyond reactive treatment only when illness strikes.

Doctor Matt Curtis, a physician with the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. Photo: TPP

Doctor Curtis elaborated on the significant advantages of integrated care. "One of the greatest benefits of integrated care is reducing disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas," he stated. "With connected electronic health records, specialists can directly view patient files and support local doctors in treatment decisions." He further highlighted the "hub and spoke" model as a powerful tool for knowledge transfer, rather than patient transfers. This approach alleviates the burden on higher-level hospitals and promotes equitable access to healthcare services.

Beyond systemic changes, digital health applications empower individuals to proactively manage their health. These tools allow users to monitor their health records, view test results, manage treatment plans, update health information, and share data with healthcare facilities as needed. Crucially, family members can also be granted access to assist in caring for children, the elderly, or individuals with chronic conditions. This feature is particularly vital given the rapid population aging observed in many countries, including Vietnam.

Experts concurred that digital transformation serves as a means, not the end goal. The true objective of integrated care is to establish a healthcare system where all information is interconnected, decisions are data-driven, and every service is patient-centered. This holistic approach ensures individuals receive continuous care throughout their health journey, from prevention and early detection to treatment and long-term follow-up.

This evolving trend in healthcare development extends beyond merely improving treatment. It aims to empower people to live healthier, longer, and happier lives, firmly positioning the patient as the central focus of the entire healthcare system.

Yen Chi