Digital health is a broad category encompassing the use of technology, data, and computing platforms to improve healthcare delivery, patient engagement, and health outcomes. The field includes telehealth and telemedicine, mobile health applications, remote patient monitoring, wearable devices, artificial intelligence and machine learning, electronic health records, and digital therapeutics. Digital health bridges the gap between clinical encounters by enabling continuous monitoring, real-time communication, and data-driven decision support.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated digital health adoption, with telehealth utilization increasing from approximately 1 percent of outpatient visits to over 40 percent during peak periods. While utilization has stabilized, telehealth has become a permanent feature of healthcare delivery for behavioral health, chronic disease management, and specialty consultations. Remote patient monitoring programs enable clinicians to track vital signs, blood glucose levels, and other biometric data in real time, facilitating earlier intervention for patients with heart failure, COPD, and diabetes.
Digital health strategy has become a C-suite priority as health systems invest in consumer-facing platforms, clinical decision support tools, and operational automation. Key strategic considerations include digital front door design, EHR optimization, cybersecurity posture, and equitable access to digital tools across patient populations. Regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, with the FDA establishing a Digital Health Center of Excellence and CMS expanding reimbursement for remote monitoring and virtual care services.