TABLE 1.
Advantages and Barriers for implementing virtual hospital (Suresnes, France, 2024).
| Advantages | Barriers |
|---|---|
| Patients − Ongoing surveillance of chronic illnesses − Remote access to specialized services and expert guidance − Enhanced healthcare access and equity − Time and cost savings − Swift and precise diagnoses through tailored care plans and treatment profiles − Heightened predictability − Early detection and analysis of diseases − Fostered trust within the patient-health professional relationship − Elevated patient care experiences − Mitigation of aggravating factors and reduction in mortality − Diminished exposure to pathogens − Continuous care provided by a multidisciplinary team (team care) − Care delivery coordination with an Evidence-Based Medicine approach − Heightened autonomy and self-management verified by healthcare professionals, rather than self-referral − Improved patient-practitioner communication and relationships − Enhanced overall experiences and outcomes − Significant enhancement in quality of life Healthcare providers − Capacity to care for more patients − Reduction in waitlists − Resource conservation and sustainability improvement − Fewer emergency room admissions, hospital (re)admissions, and healthcare costs − Increased care efficiency and efficacy − Improved work-life balance for healthcare professionals, reducing burnout risks − Strengthened relationships and trust with patients, leading to fewer in-person consultations and hospital readmissions − Automation of repetitive tasks and hospital administrative and support services − Enhanced triage and organizational decision-making processes − Lowered error rates Health systems − Improved response to healthcare and social needs − Enhanced management of chronic conditions within communities − Superior health data sharing and information − More efficient allocation of resources and budgets − Enhanced quality and performance indicators for social and healthcare services |
Infrastructure and Technology − Limited capacity for data collection and digitalization − Insufficient interoperability between devices and information systems − Absence of shared and interoperable standards for data digitalization − Lack of integrated data repositories (cloud-based and privacy considerations) − Uneven and fragile information technology infrastructure across the region − Limited adoption of Electronic Health Records Digital Competencies − Inadequate training in technology utilization − Scarce promotion of a digital culture − Shortage of experienced professionals in digital health, robotics, and automation Organization − Reluctance to embrace change and technological innovation − Complicated coordination among healthcare professionals with diverse skills − Complex regional organization and alignment with social needs − Necessity to revamp traditional care models with performance-driven logic and Diagnosis-Related Groups − Requirement to redefine career paths and roles of staff − Limited application to patient follow-up − Absence of common national objectives − Absence of a specific regulatory framework Culture − Low digital literacy − Restricted collaboration among stakeholders − Limited trust in digital health services from both clinicians and patients − Disruption of traditional value systems |