The first quarter of 2021 has been one of investor optimism as the vaccine rollout continues ahead of expectations and economic activity begins to accelerate in response. Within the Health IT industry, the already strong investment and M&A trends seen in 2020 have only accelerated. Over the course of the quarter, we observed $7 billion in private equity and venture capital investment across 158 companies. By comparison, Q1 of 2020 saw $3.2 billion and 127 investments. Health IT
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Key Lessons from COVID-19 & How We Can Better Support our Healthcare Provider
COVID-19 has been a novel pandemic in many ways beyond the actual virus itself – from the irreparable impacts it’s having on society, to the immense strain it’s put on the healthcare industry. A recent report stated that 93% of healthcare professionals reported experiencing stress, 86% reported experiencing anxiety, and 76% reported exhaustion and burnout [1]. Considering that the virus will continue to have an impact in 2021 and the reality that COVID-19 will likely not be the last epidemic we
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Wellstar Invests $10M to Become First Sharecare-Enabled Health System
Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, and Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on unique, market-leading innovations in personalized care delivery, population health, and consumer engagement. Through this partnership, Wellstar also will become the first “Sharecare-enabled” health system in the country, utilizing Sharecare’s solutions to
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Why Labor Management Systems Are a Resource Healthcare Can Rely On
In 2021, the role of advanced technology solutions across the healthcare sector can – and should -- be expanded. They already have been applied in such areas as billing, administrative work, in prescription management and some staff position scheduling. But with the ongoing advances in digital capability and automated intelligence, now is the time to consider a more holistic approach for how to integrate digital systems and solutions. The rate of employment in healthcare has been on a
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3 Ways Hospitals Can Improve Employee Communication—Now and Beyond the Pandemic
This year and the coronavirus pandemic brought new challenges to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the globe. And while the first phase of vaccine distribution has put a light at the end of the tunnel, many regions are still handling surging cases as a result of the holiday season. As we navigate combatting the latest surge and distributing the first rounds of the vaccine, hospital and healthcare system leaders should use lessons learned from this year to ensure the doctors,
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Virtual Care in the Post-COVID World: How to Prepare Your Healthcare Environment
As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, many patients and providers supported the remote-friendly technology. While the big spikes of usage may slow, adoption is still far ahead from where it was pre-pandemic, and we expect that to remain. In fact, the global telehealth market is projected to reach $559.52 billion by 2027, and estimates indicate that up to $250 billion of the current U.S. healthcare spend could potentially be virtualized. Organizations were forced to
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Top 5 Business Opportunities for Digital Health Companies in 2021. Where Is The Money?
For many companies, 2020 has been a devastating year due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the same can be said for the digital health sector, the pandemic has also paved a way for unexpected and extraordinary business opportunities in 2021. In 2020, Digital health start-ups and more established companies have suffered, as have other companies from a variety of industries. We have seen governments set up rescue funds for start-ups, including those that offer services for the
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Amazon, CVS Health, Thermo Fisher Scientific Form Alliance for Employer-based COVID-19 Testing
What You Should Know: - Amazon, CVS Health, Thermo Fisher Scientific join forces to
promote employer-based testing As part of a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy. - The coalition, named Workplace Employers Alliance for
COVID-19 Testing (WE ACT), believes
that employer-based testing programs are essential to keeping employees safe
during the current public health emergency. - WE ACT aims to
advance a comprehensive national testing strategy that includes clear guidance
for the
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Human API CEO Talks Data Privacy Concerns in Employee Wellness Programs
A recent BBC article discusses the rise in employee health
tracking via wearable devices and highlights a number of concerns around data
privacy. To try and prevent health tracking schemes from crossing ethical
lines, and eroding trust between employee and employer, some industry figures
believe that organizations need to work with third-party vendors who specialize
in managing wellbeing data. These vendors would hold the data independently
under strict privacy rules, and work with employees
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As Telehealth Surges, Are Seniors Being Left Behind?
A global health crisis has thrust us into a scenario in which lives quite literally depend on the ability to virtually connect. Telehealth has rapidly emerged as a vital tool, enabling continuity of care, allowing vulnerable individuals to access their physician from home, and freeing up resources for providers to treat the most critical patients. The acceptance of telehealth and expansion of covered services for the senior population demonstrate that this technology will endure long after
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