Healthcare providers in APAC going big on robotics. Source: Shutterstock

Healthcare providers in APAC going big on robotics. Source: Shutterstock

Healthcare providers in APAC to spend $7.03b on robotics by 2022

ROBOTICS has a special place in the healthcare industry because of all the exciting things it can make possible. In a field where trained professionals are scarce, they’re a resource that can be trained and trusted to be precise.

According to a new report by IDC, healthcare companies in the APAC spent US$3.73 billion on robotics in 2018 and are forecasted to spend up to US$7.03 billion by 2022.

IDC’s analysts found that, in the healthcare industry, robotics embedded with artificial intelligence (AI) is not a threat to physicians but will instead augment their efficiency in their respective fields of work.

Robots embedded with AI will also revolutionize the future of healthcare, the consulting firm’s analysts believe.

Machines learn faster and are expected to take over pattern-based diagnosis in pathology and radiology. This transformation will become inevitable to handle demand volume in hospitals. Technology buyers, technology providers, and even medical educational institutes should realize this evolving trend and work on becoming future-ready.

Further, experts and management executives at healthcare facilities in the APAC feel that adoption of robotics in hospitals enhances the experience provided to patients, physicians, and nurses.

Surgical robotics is the most widespread adoption of robotics in the region. Currently, surgical robotics is used to enhance patient outcomes rather than reduce the cost of surgery. As robotic technology matures, such high-precision surgeries will become more affordable and will also result in cost savings for the providers.

“Driving the cost down is necessary if quality care must reach a greater number of people. As the APEJ region faces multiple challenges, better reinvention will take place as part of a tactical approach. All these reinventions will be built on the technological platform, with robotics expected to play a significant role,” said IDC Asia/Pacific Healthcare Insights Research Manager Manoj Vallikkat.

Though robotics adoption in hospitals may not yield more affordable patient pathway immediately, IDC believes that the technology will result in the creation of a more value-based health system as robotics matures.

However, in order to fast-track this maturity, there needs to be more collaboration between technology buyers and end-users so that there is better alignment with the requirements of robotics end-users.

“Robotics in healthcare must be welcomed as an essential future. The effective adoption of robotics will augment physician efficiency, eliminate medical errors, plug care gaps, and enable bigger patient volume to access high-precision care delivery,” concluded the IDC Analyst.