The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by population aging, increasing complexity of care, and digital advancements, in a context that requires greater integration, sustainability and adaptation to new realities such as the European Health Data Space. Digitalization has enabled the adoption of electronic health records, clinical communication platforms, and interoperable infrastructures, but system fragmentation and lack of standardization hinder interoperability. Telemedicine has become essential, although it still depends on regulation, professional acceptance, and sustained investment in digital infrastructure. Remote monitoring through wearables and mobile apps contributes to the continuity of care but faces challenges such as digital literacy, data protection, and clinical validation. Artificial intelligence drives personalized care, although constrained by technical, ethical, and integration barriers, such as algorithmic opacity (black-box AI), data bias, and outdated computer systems.

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Home / Publications / Publication

Literatura sobre os cuidados de saúde no futuro

Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: Emerging trends in healthcare and the impact on tomorrow patients
Article publication date: November 2024
Source: Repositório da Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Author: Ana Rita Mateus
Supervisor: Eduardo Redondo

What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
     The study aims to analyse emerging trends in the healthcare sector and their impact on care, aimed at health professionals, decision-makers, managers, researchers, patient associations, companies in the health sector and regulatory entities with a focus on telemedicine, artificial intelligence, remote monitoring, interoperability and digital literacy.

What is the context?
     The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by population aging, increasing complexity of care, and digital advancements, in a context that requires greater integration, sustainability and adaptation to new realities such as the European Health Data Space.

What are the current approaches?
     Digitalization has enabled the adoption of electronic health records, clinical communication platforms, and interoperable infrastructures, but system fragmentation and lack of standardization hinder interoperability. Telemedicine has become essential, although it still depends on regulation, professional acceptance, and sustained investment in digital infrastructure. Remote monitoring through wearables and mobile apps contributes to the continuity of care but faces challenges such as digital literacy, data protection, and clinical validation. Artificial intelligence drives personalized care, although constrained by technical, ethical, and integration barriers, such as algorithmic opacity (black-box AI), data bias, and outdated computer systems.

What does study consist of? How is the impact assessed?
     This study consisted of a mixed methodological approach, combining a bibliometric analysis with semi-structured interviews with national and international experts from different professional backgrounds.

     The bibliometric analysis reviewed scientific international articles published between 2014 and 2024 in PubMed. An iterative search strategy was used, continuously refining keywords based on results obtained, to capture the most relevant topics. Around 30 keyword combinations related to innovation, digital health, patient impact, and emerging trends were tested.

     In parallel, 20 interviews were conducted with professionals with experience in health, innovation, technology, and management — including doctors, researchers, institutional leaders, representatives from patient organizations, leaders of public bodies and members of companies in the sector. These interviews gathered qualified contributions to the challenges, opportunities and impacts of adopting new technologies, as well as expected evolution in care delivery and patient experience.

     The impact assessment combined the quantitative bibliometric analysis (volume of publications, frequency of keywords and correlations between emerging topics) with qualitative analysis of the interviews, centered on expert perspectives on the role of technologies in the organizations, professional-patient relationships, and how health systems respond to challenges like population ageing, sustainability, and equity.

What are the main results? What is the future of these technologies?
     The bibliometric analysis revealed strong scientific growth in areas such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, remote monitoring, interoperability of systems, and digital literacy — reflecting a trend toward improving efficiency, personalization, and continuity of care. These areas were also emphasized during interviews as priorities to enhance access, quality, and sustainability of healthcare. However, constraints were also mentioned, including fragmentation of systems, the shortage of digital skills, regulatory gaps and the risks of digital exclusion. There was also a growing appreciation of care models closer to people, with emphasis on hybrid and decentralized approaches that integrate face-to-face, digital and community components.

     The future of these technologies will depend on improving population digital literacy, continuous professional training, the design of sustainable funding models, and the establishment of transparent and effective governance mechanisms. The digital transition represents an opportunity to ensure more resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems capable of adapting to society’s constantly evolving needs.

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Home / Publications / Publication

Literatura sobre os cuidados de saúde no futuro

Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: Emerging trends in healthcare and the impact on tomorrow patients
Article publication date: November 2024
Source: Repositório da Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Author: Ana Rita Mateus
Supervisor: Eduardo Redondo

What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
     The study aims to analyse emerging trends in the healthcare sector and their impact on care, aimed at health professionals, decision-makers, managers, researchers, patient associations, companies in the health sector and regulatory entities with a focus on telemedicine, artificial intelligence, remote monitoring, interoperability and digital literacy.

What is the context?
     The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by population aging, increasing complexity of care, and digital advancements, in a context that requires greater integration, sustainability and adaptation to new realities such as the European Health Data Space.

What are the current approaches?
     Digitalization has enabled the adoption of electronic health records, clinical communication platforms, and interoperable infrastructures, but system fragmentation and lack of standardization hinder interoperability. Telemedicine has become essential, although it still depends on regulation, professional acceptance, and sustained investment in digital infrastructure. Remote monitoring through wearables and mobile apps contributes to the continuity of care but faces challenges such as digital literacy, data protection, and clinical validation. Artificial intelligence drives personalized care, although constrained by technical, ethical, and integration barriers, such as algorithmic opacity (black-box AI), data bias, and outdated computer systems.

What does study consist of? How is the impact assessed?
     This study consisted of a mixed methodological approach, combining a bibliometric analysis with semi-structured interviews with national and international experts from different professional backgrounds.

     The bibliometric analysis reviewed scientific international articles published between 2014 and 2024 in PubMed. An iterative search strategy was used, continuously refining keywords based on results obtained, to capture the most relevant topics. Around 30 keyword combinations related to innovation, digital health, patient impact, and emerging trends were tested.

     In parallel, 20 interviews were conducted with professionals with experience in health, innovation, technology, and management — including doctors, researchers, institutional leaders, representatives from patient organizations, leaders of public bodies and members of companies in the sector. These interviews gathered qualified contributions to the challenges, opportunities and impacts of adopting new technologies, as well as expected evolution in care delivery and patient experience.

     The impact assessment combined the quantitative bibliometric analysis (volume of publications, frequency of keywords and correlations between emerging topics) with qualitative analysis of the interviews, centered on expert perspectives on the role of technologies in the organizations, professional-patient relationships, and how health systems respond to challenges like population ageing, sustainability, and equity.

What are the main results? What is the future of these technologies?
     The bibliometric analysis revealed strong scientific growth in areas such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, remote monitoring, interoperability of systems, and digital literacy — reflecting a trend toward improving efficiency, personalization, and continuity of care. These areas were also emphasized during interviews as priorities to enhance access, quality, and sustainability of healthcare. However, constraints were also mentioned, including fragmentation of systems, the shortage of digital skills, regulatory gaps and the risks of digital exclusion. There was also a growing appreciation of care models closer to people, with emphasis on hybrid and decentralized approaches that integrate face-to-face, digital and community components.

     The future of these technologies will depend on improving population digital literacy, continuous professional training, the design of sustainable funding models, and the establishment of transparent and effective governance mechanisms. The digital transition represents an opportunity to ensure more resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems capable of adapting to society’s constantly evolving needs.

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Do you have an innovative idea in healthcare field?

Share it with us and see it come to life.
We will help bring your projects to life!

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Receive the latest updates from the Inovarsaúde portal.

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