Since COVID-19, we have seen major changes in many areas. The way technologies have turned the negative impacts of these changes into positive ones cannot be praised enough. The biggest impact, yes, the positive one, has been on the healthcare sector. We can never forget the revolution that EHR (Electronic Health Records) systems have brought to the healthcare sector. These systems were very important in controlling the pandemic because they improved patient care, made it easier to share data, and combined new tools in healthcare. However, along with its use, we have also seen some challenges, such as interface issues, cybersecurity risks, and gaps in how systems can talk to each other. However, an EHR system is like a double-edged sword—if used properly, it can become a powerful tool to help healthcare providers defeat inefficiencies and improve patient care.
According to a Grandview Research report, the global electronic health records market size is estimated to be USD 32.23 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.43% from 2024 to 2030. This shows how big this market is and how far it has the potential to reach.
In this blog, we will discuss all these positives and challenges, how COVID-19 changed the EHR market, and what opportunities this market will have in the future.
What is The Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Electronic Health Records (EHR) Market?
Accelerated Adoption of EHR Systems
1. What Is EHR and Why Is It Important?
Electronic Health Records, or EHRs, are like patient records, but unlike regular records, they are stored digitally.
They keep important health records, such as medical background, diagnoses, treatments, and test results. Before the pandemic, many healthcare providers used traditional paper methods. However, COVID-19 made it clear that the healthcare sector needs digital systems that can quickly and safely store and share patient data.
2. How Did COVID-19 Speed Up EHR Adoption?
We have all experienced or seen the situation where healthcare services around the world were under a lot of stress during the pandemic. Hospitals were full, and doctors and nurses needed quick access to patient information to make choices that could save lives.
At that time, everybody began to understand the importance of EHR systems. Because these systems can:
- Centralize Patient Data: Doctors could access everything they needed in one place.
- Facilitate Communication: EHR systems allow fast and smooth sharing of patient information between hospitals and public health agencies.
- Enable Remote Work: Many doctors and nurses can use EHR systems to manage patient records remotely.
| Fact: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act incentivized healthcare providers to adopt EHR systems in the United States. |
Telehealth Integration with EHR Systems
1. What Is Telehealth?
In telehealth, patients receive medical treatment via electronic means such as video calls, telephone, or the Internet. During lockdowns, when hospitals were closed, it was the primary way people got medical treatment.
In countries where EHR was working at its full strength, patients did not need to be physically present in the hospital. In some countries where EHR facilities were unavailable, hospitals were found to be full, and patients faced many problems.
2. How do EHR and Telehealth Work Together?
- Patient Records: EHR systems allow doctors to review a patient’s medical history smoothly during a video consultation.
- Uninterrupted Scheduling: Telehealth platforms integrated with EHRs made it easy for patients to book appointments from the comfort of their homes.
- Billing and Prescriptions: Doctors could generate bills and send prescriptions through the system.
3. Why Was Telehealth Important During COVID-19?
- Safety: During COVID-19, Patients with moderate symptoms were able to receive medical attention and guidance without leaving their homes because of telehealth. This strategy reduced their risk of contracting the virus, which was particularly useful in busy hospital environments.
- Accessibility: Telehealth makes it easy for patients to consult with doctors, even if they live in rural or remote places or have physical limitations that prevent them from travelling. Because of this, healthcare is now accessible to all people, no matter where they live.
- Efficiency: According to the NCBI report, The U.S. healthcare system struggles with quality, fragmentation, and poor care coordination. By using telehealth, hospitals can increase their efficiency by providing virtual consultations to patients. How? By focusing their available resources on critical cases. This will also reduce the load on healthcare providers and healthcare facilities. Apart from this, healthcare providers can also focus on the patients who come to the hospital for emergency or urgent care.
| Fact: During the pandemic, telehealth services in the United States increased by 78%. Companies like Nexus Clinical upgraded their EHR platforms to support virtual consultations, helping millions of patients receive care without stepping into a hospital. |
Interoperability and Data Sharing
1. What does inoperability mean?
Interoperability is the ability of different EHR systems to communicate and share data. For example, if patients move from one hospital to another, their records should follow them.
It is common for patients to visit a hospital and provide their medical history, which can be time-consuming. Another instance of time lost is when the same patient visits a different hospital at a later date and is required to resubmit the same information. Interoperability of EHR systems can save this time.
2. Why Did COVID-19 Make Interoperability Crucial?
During the pandemic:
- Rapid Data Sharing: Public health agencies needed real-time information about COVID-19 cases to track the spread of the virus and manage resources.
- Vaccination Records: EHR systems were used to track who received vaccines, preventing duplication and ensuring equitable distribution.
- Global Collaboration: Countries share data to study the virus, develop vaccines, and create treatment protocols.
3. What Improvements Were Made?
Many EHR companies implemented the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards to facilitate data sharing between systems.
Besides, some government-funded projects are underway to improve interoperability. For example, the European Union’s Digital Health Act promoted cross-border sharing of health records.
Remote Monitoring and IoT Integration
Remote monitoring refers to using medical devices and sensors to track a patient’s health from the comfort of their home or other non-clinical settings.
Some devices, such as fitness trackers, blood pressure monitors, or pulse oximeters, easily collect important health data such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and physical activity. This information is automatically passed on to EHR systems so doctors can remotely monitor patients by analyzing their health information in real-time. Doctors can provide important consultancy to patients and save their time. Remote monitoring enhances patient care by offering continuous insights without the need for frequent hospital visits.
1. Why Was It Important During COVID-19?
There were too many people in need of hospitals, and many people with long-term illnesses didn’t go because they were afraid of getting an infection due to COVID.
With remote monitoring, doctors could check on their patients without them visiting the hospital.
2. How Did IoT Devices Help?
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to smart devices connected to the Internet. During the pandemic:
- Pulse oximeters were used by patients with COVID-19 signs so that they could check their oxygen levels at home.
- Patients with diabetes use Glucose monitors connected to their EHR systems to monitor their sugar levels.
- Heart patients wore Sensors that tracked their vital signs, such as their heart rate and blood pressure.
Global EHR Market Projections
| Region | Market Size (2023) | CAGR (2024-2030) | Key Growth Drivers |
| North America | $15.3 Billion | 5.20% | Regulatory mandates, telehealth expansion |
| Europe | $9.1 Billion | 4.80% | Unified EHR systems, increasing healthcare IT budgets |
| Asia-Pacific | $7.2 Billion | 6.50% | Emerging markets, growing awareness of EHR benefits |
| Rest of the World | $6.4 Billion | 5.10% | Infrastructure development, pandemic-driven adoption |
Are There Any Opportunities For the Future?
The continuous development of EHR systems is opening up huge opportunities to improve healthcare, give people more power, and use advanced technologies. Here is how:
1. Cloud-Based EHR Systems
- Anywhere, Anytime Access: These systems securely store patient information in the cloud that healthcare professionals can access when needed from any location and device. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for telehealth services and multi-location practices.
- Cost Savings: Cloud-based systems’ most special feature is that they eliminate IT infrastructure and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for on-site physical servers. This is why they have become the first choice of healthcare providers. From smaller clinics to large healthcare providers, they easily satisfy everyone’s needs.
- Enhanced Security: Cloud-based EHR platforms have advanced security features, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect sensitive patient data from breaches. Regular updates from providers also ensure compliance with changing data protection regulations.
- Scalability: As healthcare organizations grow, cloud systems can easily scale to accommodate more data and users, ensuring long-term efficiency.
2. AI and Predictive Analytics
Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize healthcare by making EHR systems smarter and more insightful.
- Predictive Risk Assessment: AI-powered algorithms analyze vast patient data to predict potential health risks. For example, looking at a patient’s medical history and health patterns can determine what problems he or she might have. On this basis, treatment can be started early.
- Personalized Care Plans: By identifying individual health trends, AI enables the creation of tailored treatment plans that cater to each patient’s unique needs.
- Operational Efficiency: AI is great for clinical usage and adept at performing administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing, and coding. This can reduce the burden on healthcare staff to a great extent.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for the healthcare industry, which has brought EHR systems into the mainstream by increasing their importance. It has also accelerated digitalization and given rise to major innovations such as remote monitoring, telehealth, and interoperability.
By utilizing these advancements, healthcare providers can deliver better care, improve patient outcomes, and be better prepared for future crises. The role of EHR systems will only grow as technology evolves, promising a brighter future for global healthcare.
