Advancing Healthcare Through Technology

Abstract

Adopting eHealth technologies has great potential to increase access to better quality healthcare services within Singapore. By increasing the efficiency, accessibility, and presence of these crucial services, digital healthcare has great potential to advance national well-being, good health, and promote equity. Since the 2010s, Singapore has taken on national initiatives to spread the adoption of eHealth technologies and modernize its healthcare sector. However, throughout the past decade, certain ethical implications have risen. Contrastingly, while digital healthcare has the potential to reduce inequalities, it may also widen them if implemented without regard to the nation’s pre-existing demographic inequalities. This study builds on previous research, which has established the potential and drawbacks of eHealth, now analyzing the effects of its implementation on health inequalities in Singapore. Furthermore, this study controls for specific demographic variables —age, income, and citizenship status— to evaluate if the effects of eHealth on the quality and accessibility of health services in Singapore differs based on such traits. Using a mixed-methods approach, a comprehensive analysis of Singapore's digital healthcare was conducted. Primarily, qualitative data was obtained through interviews with government and eHealth officials along with first-hand accounts from Singaporean citizens. To supplement, quantitative data on health statistics were collected and evaluated in the Global Development and Design Healthcare Quality Index (GDD HQI)— a formula created by the Global Development and Design lab to measure the effects of income. age , and citizenship status on the magnitude of healthcare inequality present in Singapore during a given year. Results from the mixed-methods approach signify that Singapore’s implementation of eHealth technologies has increased national well-being and reduced inequalities. Furthermore, results show when Singapore’s digitization efforts focus on the elderly, lower-income, and non-citizen populations, the potential of increasing health inequalities for the most marginalized significantly decreases. Thus, this research sheds light on the necessity for Singapore’s future digitization efforts to lead with a focus on marginalized communities to guarantee good health and well-being for all of Singapore. Ultimately, this research can help guide the development of healthcare agendas within developing countries with similar political structures and culture.