Right care, right time: Future of modern healthcare and medical reform

China's medical and healthcare sector has been transformed over the past decade, leading to increased cooperation among hospitals and improved patient accessibility. This year, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene the third plenary session of its 20th Central Committee from July 15 to 18 in Beijing to further deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization. In this context, Dr Anne Margo Reintsema, a Dutch gynecologist, healthcare advisor and managing director of AMG Companions in Germany, spoke with CGTN's Enoch Wong during a recent visit to China organized by the Shijingshan Future Industry Education Center. Reintsema shared her insights on modernizing healthcare and creating an innovative ecosystem to support medical reforms. She also delved into her perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of the healthcare sector.

In 2006, Reintsema embarked on the Great Wall Run in Beijing, China, an arduous marathon featuring steep inclines. As she ascended a particularly challenging hill, a sign proclaimed, "If something is significant in China, it has a name. This hill has no name." This resonated with her as she pivoted to discuss the German healthcare system's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). She likened the current state of German healthcare to that unnamed hill: at a pivotal yet challenging inflection point. The system, though historically successful, is now at its limits and requires innovative technologies like AI and virtual reality (VR) to usher in a new era of delivery.

Reintsema emphasized that modernizing healthcare means delivering the right care at the right time by the right person. This could mean a mental health app addressing migraines caused by work stress, rather than a brain surgeon. Europe's demographic changes – an aging population with increasing healthcare needs – necessitate efficient allocation of resources. She advocates outpatient and digital care, supported by trustworthy self-care applications, to prevent diseases and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. This approach not only cuts costs but also optimizes the use of the healthcare workforce.

The main obstacle to healthcare innovation and reform, according to Reintsema, is change management. Physicians, accustomed to traditional methods learned through apprenticeships, must now adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The integration of AI can support physicians by providing decision-making assistance, thus improving patient care. However, this requires a shift in medical education, focusing on digital literacy and interdisciplinary collaboration rather than rote memorization of medical knowledge. The future of healthcare lies in fostering a workforce adept at using digital tools to enhance patient outcomes.

Balancing innovative reform with safety is crucial in healthcare. Reintsema recalls the first caesarean section, also known as a C-section, she performed. Today, technologies enabled by VR allow medical professionals to practice procedures on simulated tissues, reducing the risk associated with real-life training. While risk can never be entirely eliminated, it can be mitigated through advanced training tools and careful patient selection for new therapies. Reintsema highlights that avoiding risk altogether can itself be risky, underscoring the importance of judiciously integrating technology to advance healthcare.

As China and other nations navigate the complexities of healthcare reform and technological innovation, embracing change and leveraging advanced tools will be essential to meeting the healthcare challenges of the future.