Everything flows, nothing stands still-Anesthesiology and intensive care medicine in the digital age

Anaesthesiologie. 2024 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s00101-024-01480-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine are innovative specialist areas that mainly use the advantages of digital documentation. However, to exploit the full potential of the digital age, more than conversion of paper-based documentation into digital formats is required. The German healthcare system needs to catch up; more than money is required to drive digitalisation forward. The willingness of all those involved to adapt to new circumstances is essential-a process known as 'digital transformation'.The drivers of digital transformation in medicine are the need for personalised therapies, technological advances, and shared decision-making between physicians and patients. However, humans should take centre stage in medicine; technology is only a means to an end.As data-driven research is becoming increasingly important, the FAIR principles must apply to routine data in the same way as it is propagated for research: Data must be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Utilising high-quality databases, decision support, and warning systems can be developed for early recognition and prevention of complications.Teleintensive care is a concrete expression of digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic paved the way for it to become standard care.Digital technologies in education and training are becoming increasingly popular. Virtual and augmented reality applications enable realistic training scenarios for trainee physicians and experienced teams.In the future, expanding the infrastructure and facilitating data exchange between all healthcare areas is essential. Applications must be reliable and secure, as cybercrime poses a severe threat to our hospitals, making vigilant IT departments and education in IT security crucial. In summary, digitalisation can make patient care safer and better if implemented correctly and involving all stakeholders.

PMID:39613884 | DOI:10.1007/s00101-024-01480-8