What is
Telemedicine in the
UAE
CONNECTING THOUGHT LEADERS
25.10.2018 | Dubai Science Park
The third Advance Health educational session entitled
“Telemedicine in the evolving healthcare landscape”
took place on Thursday, 25th October at Dubai Science
Park. The meeting welcomed 90 delegates from a
variety of healthcare functions across the UAE. The
meeting included plenary sessions from a faculty of key
experts, and an engaging panel discussion during which
Future of Telemedicine
Reza Kazemipour - Chief Revenue Officer, inui-Health
Reza Kazemipour gave an overview of the history and
applications of telemedicine as well as insights into
what the future holds. Innovations in technology and
connectivity have enabled telemedicine to be an
accessible and cost-effective platform that facilitates
the remote treatment of many medical conditions that
are prevalent in this part of the world. Patient benefits
include decreased depression, anxiety, stress, and fewer
hospital admissions. Global telemedicine is expected to
be worth more than USD $66 billion by 2021.
38% $66
hospital
BILLION
admission
BY 2021
“The advancement in Telemedicine is
heavily interlinked with the innovation
happening in the digital health
industry as a whole”
- Reza Kazemipour
Case Study: Telemedicine in the
primary healthcare setting
Charlie Barlow - CEO, Health at Hand
The interface of primary healthcare has not significantly
changed over the last 50 years, despite massive
advances in technology and understanding. Charlie
Barlow reviewed the case study of Health at Hand, the
first company to achieve a DHA license for telemedicine
services in the UAE for an app that enables video
consultation with doctors at the primary healthcare
level. The benefits of such technology include increased
accessibility, reduction in unnecessary diagnostic tests
and prescriptions, decreased burden on emergency
rooms and primary care resources, coupled with cost
savings to both patients and insurers.
Conclusions
It is an exciting time as telemedicine continues to
disrupt healthcare delivery, as systems throughout the
Middle East look towards lean innovation to combat
rising costs. Telehealth and patient engagement will be
key along this journey to a more value driven, efficient
system.
Feedback on the session was immensely positive with
attendees grateful for a thought-provoking session
which covered the spectrum of opportunities and
challenges within telehealth in the UAE. Advance Health
would like to thank the delegates for their high-level
contribution and engagement.
The next Advance Health session, Health & Wellness
for Disease Prevention, will take place on 6th
December at Dubai Science Park and more details will
be shared via our distribution lists and social media
channels. We welcome input and feedback from
members of the healthcare community in Dubai on
relevant topics and format suggestions for future
Advance Health sessions; please follow and engage
with us via social media and the contact details below.
Get in touch: marcus.corander@connect-comms.com | sahar.samara@openhealth.ae | thom.soutter@synapsemedical.com.au
www.advancehealth.ae
Advance
Health?
evolving healthcare
Advance Health is a
landscape networking forum that
serves to connect key
healthcare stakeholders in
Dubai to drive information
exchange and
collaboration. This in turn
the faculty shared insights on the potential impact and will help to enhance
benefits of Telemedicine. The discussions highlighted healthcare services and
the role of telemedicine in changing the current ultimately serves to
paradigm of care by offering a cost-effective platform to improve patient outcomes.
improve access and health outcomes.
Telemedicine in Dubai:
The DHA strategy for driving adoption
Dr Mohammad Al Redha - Director, The Executive Office
for Organizational Transformation, Dubai Health Regular meetings
Authority
Mohammad Al Redha outlined the Dubai Health Strategy
2016-2021 whose vision is towards a healthier and
happier community. The mission is to transform Dubai
into a leading healthcare destination by fostering
Plenary sessions
innovative and integrated care models and by
from expert speakers
enhancing community engagement. One of the
initiatives within the strategic programs is to introduce
and promote the use of telemedicine solutions. Dr Al
Redha highlighted that Dubai is open to telemedicine
and that there is a need for all stakeholders to continue
to work together to ensure that its potential is translated
into enhanced efficiency, standards of care, and cost
Networking session
savings, as well as improved patient outcomes. with refreshments
The regulatory landscape of telehealth
and future directions
Andrea Tithecott - Partner, Head of Regulatory Practice,
Al Tamimi & Company
Multidisciplinary
panel discussions
Andrea Tithecott reviewed the current regulatory
and Q&A session
framework for telehealth in the UAE from both the Abu
Dhabi Department of Health and Dubai Health Authorty
perspectives. The central feature of these regulations is
to define and ensure that the required standards of JOIN THE
patient safety and quality of care are met within COMMUNITY
physician-to-patient consultation services. There are Add to the discussion
short-, medium-, and long-term plans in place to ensure
that the regulation surrounding telemedicine in the UAE
continues to safely yet effectively support adoption and
innovation of this evolving healthcare platform.
@advancehealthae
The impact that digitalisation and
connectivity are having on all aspects
of healthcare
Brian de Francesca - CEO, Ver2 Digital Medicine
Brian de Francesca discussed the future of healthcare in @advancehealthae
the context of digitisation and connectivity. While it is
critical that the empathetic human touch remains within
healthcare, there is much room for technology to drive
improvements in safety, cost, and accessibility.
Technologies such as biosensors, quantum computing,
and blockchain are set to enable great benefits and
optimization in healthcare delivery, staffing, facilities,
and ultimately, cost. Dubai has the potential to become
the epicenter of this global healthcare revolution.
“The event was not only well
attended, but attended by a wide
variety of relevant delegates, who got
to hear a broad range of thoughts
from the region’s Telehealth leaders”
- Brian de Francesca
#ADVANCEHEALTH
We look forward to continuing to build the
Advance Health network for greater
collaboration amongst the healthcare
community in Dubai and welcoming you to
our next event.