Heaptalk, Jakarta — Digitalization in the healthcare system in Indonesia exhibits a positive trend based on the observations of a neuroanesthesia expert at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI) – Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Dr. dr. Riyadh Firdaus, Sp. An-KNA.
“I see that digitalization has become the government’s mission and also brings benefits to hospitals/health facilities as well as to local governments since there is efficiency. I think if digitalization is implemented well, patients can be helped more clearly. In the end, surely patient satisfaction increases and we can predict future health policy developments better,” Dr. Riyadh spoke to the Heaptalk team (02/28).
In 2020, the covid-19 pandemic forced all sectors to adapt to limited conditions, including the healthcare sector as the front guard in fighting the coronavirus. The Indonesian government launched an application to track the spread of covid-19 digitally called PeduliLindungi in March 2020. After going through several developments, the app was transformed into the SatuSehat platform three years later.
Initially functioning to record the number of cases as well as laboratory networks or treatment services for covid-19 sufferers, this platform later acted as a national medical record system. The electronic medical record (EMR) is one of the digital technologies commonly implemented in hospitals or other health service facilities. Ministry of Health data as of February 15, 2024, shows that only 23,870 health facilities (42.55%) of the 56,093 target health facilities are registered on the SatuSehat platform or have implemented electronic medical records.
Achieving Digital Maturity Index level 3
Ministry of Health also measured the digital maturity index (DMI) to obtain an overview of digital technology implementation from several substantial dimensions, including information systems and ICT infrastructure, governance and management, interoperability, security systems, data privacy and confidentiality, as well as electronic medical records.
The measurements were carried out through a survey in 2022. Of the total 3,052 hospitals in Indonesia, only 1,083 hospitals participated with 973 hospitals (31.88%) meeting the criteria for digital maturity analysis and only 772 hospitals (25.29%) meeting the criteria for assessing the EMR adoption level.
Further, the DMI assessment results show that the majority of hospitals are at level 2 (39%) and level 3 (39%). Hospitals in the Java-Bali region have a higher average level of digital maturity than other regions. Class A hospitals have a higher level of digital maturity compared to other hospital classes.
Meanwhile, the highest levels of EMR adoption are at level 3 (31%) and level 4 (22%). A total of 425 hospitals (55%) meets the EMR adoption level indicator of at least 3. Class A and B hospitals have a higher proportion of EMR adoption compared to other hospitals. The majority of Pratama type D hospitals have an adoption level of 0.
DMI level 3 is categorized as established and authoritative. This means that the majority of hospitals in Indonesia have a clear information system and road map regarding the development of hospital management information system (SIMRS) structure and function, supervision, quality improvement, and systematic evaluation of hospital information systems. This level of DMI is aligned with the level of EMR adoption, the majority of which are at levels 3 and 4, indicating the availability of pharmacy modules, medical support, use of data standards, and interoperability between systems.
Positive impact of digitalization on the healthcare sector
According to Riyadh, DMI and EMR adoption measurements are essential to determine the extent of current digitalization implementation and formulate future acceleration strategies. “However, we have to be honest that adoption is still occurring gradually. Whether electronic medical records cover all healthcare services, for example, radiology services, drug services, and clinical decision support, it is not yet 100%,” Dr. Riyadh spoke out.
In more detail, EMR itself plays an important role in achieving digital maturity in the healthcare sector. He said, “EMR can report to us about the condition of patients or health in Indonesia, as well as being a stage for us to monitor, evaluate, provide feedback, and even provide predictions/forecasting what our health conditions will be like in the future.”
Besides electronic medical records, other digital technologies also have a positive impact on the delivery of health services, including operational efficiency, better coordination, easier data access, more accurate decision-making, and overall improvement in service quality. Based on dr. Riyadh’s experience, digitalization can boost the engagement of health service facility teams and patients with better communication processes as well as improve patient safety with an integrated information system.
For management, digitalization enables more accurate data collection, resulting in effective and efficient decision-making. Before making a decision, management can also see a problem more comprehensively through the large data modules recorded in the integrated information system. The operations of health service facilities have become more organized, including administration processes and supply chain procurement.
“We feel the impact of more accurate patient service data collection. As managers, this allows us to modify service strategies according to patient and service needs to make them more efficient and effective,” Dr. Riyadh uttered.
Challenges and how to overcome them
Despite the positive impact, the digitalization of the healthcare sector in Indonesia faces several challenges, one of which is the geographical condition of being a vast archipelagic country. “Looking at the government’s strategic plan, it is already on track for digitalization, it’s just a matter of how fast it can be achieved. For example, digitalizing infrastructure throughout Indonesia, which is an archipelagic country of this size, I think this (digitalization) is a priority to do. Also, the use of technology, both submarine cables and satellite technology, to facilitate digitalization, must be carried out continuously,” dr. Riyadh conveyed.
Other challenges include providing an information and communication architecture suitable for this country, increasing the quality and quantity of technology-literate human resources, strengthening data protection related to confidential patient information, optimizing IT systems, and sustaining digital transformation policies. All of these challenges require a collaboration of all stakeholders, including society, the private sector, the government, and the health service facilities.
Riyadh revealed several critical factors to encourage the acceleration of digital transformation in Indonesia, one of which is raising the level of digital maturity. He said, “Digital maturity is determined by several elements, including leadership and governance, resource management, infrastructure, and how we connect existing tools in health facilities, making all can be adopted within digital data. Interoperability is possible. Once the data has been submitted, it can be processed into big data. Then we can take advantage of it, secure it, and adopt government standards into our medical records.”
Further, dr. Riyadh is optimistic that digital transformation in the healthcare sector will help embody the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. “The achievement of a Golden Indonesia will be boosted by this digital transformation. If this is done as well as possible with all Indonesian people, I see that our health level will be greatly helped. Digitalization can help provide equal healthcare,” Dr. Riyadh concluded.
