Learning from global innovators: digital health practices from around the world

Learning from global innovators: digital health practices from around the world

by iatroX AI

Introduction to the global digital health landscape

Digital health has become a global priority, with countries worldwide investing in technologies to improve patient care, efficiency, and health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption in healthcare, underscoring how innovation can enhance system resilience (WHO report). Recognising that no health system has a monopoly on good ideas, there is growing interest in international benchmarking—learning from global leaders in digital health. Organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and collaborations such as the Global Digital Health Partnership encourage countries to share strategies and best practices. By examining how innovators in nations like the United States, Canada, Sweden, Israel, India, and Singapore deploy digital health solutions, we can identify evidence-based lessons for others. This comparative analysis explores key domains of digital health innovation—from telemedicine and AI in diagnostics to electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and patient engagement technologies—and highlights how the NHS could adapt these global best practices.

Telemedicine and virtual care: reimagining access to healthcare

One of the most visible transformations in recent years has been the rise of telemedicine and virtual care. Around the world, telehealth has moved from a niche offering to a mainstream component of healthcare delivery, dramatically expanding access to care. Some notable examples include:

  • United States: The U.S. saw an explosion of telehealth usage during the pandemic. In April 2020, over 32% of outpatient visits nationwide were conducted via telemedicine, a huge jump from near-zero levels pre-pandemic (Commonwealth Fund). Although in-person visits have since resumed, telehealth has stabilised at a new normal—utilisation levels remain roughly 38 times higher than before COVID-19 (McKinsey). This was enabled by rapid regulatory changes (e.g., expanded Medicare reimbursement) and high consumer acceptance.

  • India: India has leveraged telemedicine to reach its vast population, including rural communities. In 2020, the government launched the eSanjeevani national telemedicine service, which has since facilitated tens of millions of consultations across all states (eSanjeevani). By early 2022, eSanjeevani surpassed 30 million tele-consultations nationally, dramatically bridging gaps between urban specialists and remote patients. India’s Ministry of Health also issued Telemedicine Practice Guidelines in 2020 to provide legal and clinical clarity for virtual care (Telemedicine Guidelines). This centrally coordinated approach shows how a telehealth platform can expand access at an unprecedented scale when coupled with supportive policy.

  • Sweden: Prior to the pandemic, Sweden was already a leader in digital healthcare services. Several home-grown telehealth platforms (e.g., Kry, Min Doktor) allow patients to consult doctors via mobile apps. In 2020, the use of remote consultations doubled, rising from 1.2 million to 2.4 million digital visits and comprising about 11% of all medical appointments that year (Sweden Digital Healthcare). Sweden’s telemedicine expansion was supported by training healthcare professionals to use virtual tools effectively, demonstrating the importance of both technology and workforce preparedness.

  • Singapore: Singapore has pursued telehealth as part of a tightly regulated innovation strategy. In 2018, the Ministry of Health launched a regulatory sandbox (Licensing Experimentation and Adaptation Programme – LEAP) to foster telemedicine startups while ensuring patient safety (Singapore MOH LEAP). By 2020, 11 telehealth startups (e.g., MyDoc, DoctorAnywhere) were operating under this sandbox and experienced major growth during COVID-19. Singapore’s government also enabled insurance coverage for video consultations in managing chronic diseases, underscoring the value of clear guidelines and public-private collaboration in digital health.

These global examples demonstrate telemedicine’s potential to increase healthcare access and efficiency. Key takeaways for other health systems include ensuring supportive policies (licensing, reimbursement) are in place, investing in user-friendly platforms, training clinicians and patients, and integrating telehealth with existing services. The NHS, which rapidly scaled up phone and video consultations during the pandemic, can build on these lessons by solidifying hybrid care models. Making pandemic-era telehealth gains permanent—with appropriate quality standards and inclusion for those with limited digital access—could improve convenience and reduce pressure on clinics and A&E departments.

Artificial intelligence in diagnostics and decision support

Around the world, healthcare innovators are harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical decision support. AI algorithms can sift through vast amounts of data—medical images, health records, genomics—to assist clinicians with faster, more accurate insights. Different countries have taken distinctive paths to integrate AI in care delivery:

  • United States: The U.S. leads in the development and regulatory approval of medical AI tools. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised hundreds of AI-enabled devices for clinical use, spanning applications from imaging diagnostics to predictive analytics (FDA AI/ML Devices). Notably, over 77% of these AI tools are in radiology (e.g., algorithms that detect cancers or fractures on scans), but AI is also emerging in cardiology, ophthalmology, pathology, and other fields. U.S. hospitals are piloting AI for stroke diagnosis, flagging high-risk patients, and automating routine tasks. The U.S. experience highlights the need for ensuring these tools are effective, bias-free, and seamlessly integrated into clinician workflows.

  • Israel: Israel has become a global powerhouse of digital health innovation, particularly in AI. Supported by a thriving tech ecosystem and strong government R&D support, Israel is a pioneer in medical AI solutions (Times of Israel). One strategic advantage is its rich health data—the country’s four national health funds maintain continuous electronic records for every citizen, providing a goldmine for developing AI algorithms. Israeli hospitals and startups have created AI tools for imaging, personalised medicine, and decision support. For example, Maccabi Healthcare Services has developed predictive AI models to identify patients at high risk for conditions like colorectal cancer and COVID-19 complications, enabling earlier interventions. This demonstrates how data-driven innovation and close collaboration between health providers, academia, and startups can yield cutting-edge solutions.

  • United Kingdom: The NHS has approached AI methodically, focusing on safe integration and targeting areas of high clinical need. The NHS AI Lab was established to spur responsible AI adoption and align governance policies. In practice, UK hospitals are testing AI in diagnostics—for example, algorithms interpreting retinal scans for diabetic eye disease or aiding radiologists in detecting cancers. Studies in NHS settings have shown that AI decision support can improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce workload. The UK’s emphasis on rigorous evaluation and clinician training ensures that AI is used to augment, not replace, human decision-making.

Across these countries, a common theme is that AI in healthcare is no longer theoretical—it is here and growing. AI-powered decision support systems (CDSS) can help clinicians by rapidly analysing complex data (imaging, lab results, patient history) and providing evidence-based suggestions, such as alerting to early sepsis or flagging potential medication errors. This significantly reduces the cognitive burden on healthcare professionals. Notably, health tech companies are developing AI-driven platforms to support overburdened clinicians. For example, iatroX—a UK-based innovator—contributes to easing clinical overload through a suite of AI-enhanced tools. Its offerings include a quiz mode for on-demand knowledge reinforcement, a brainstorming function for generating differential diagnoses, and a conversational clinical reference interface that allows clinicians to query medical information in natural language.

Electronic health records and interoperability

Robust electronic health record (EHR) systems form the backbone of any digital health ecosystem. EHRs enable patient information to be stored and shared efficiently, which is critical for coordinated care and analytics. Countries vary widely in their EHR implementations—some enjoy seamless national systems, while others grapple with fragmentation. A comparative look:

  • Sweden: Often cited as a gold standard for EHR integration, all 21 regional healthcare authorities in Sweden use integrated EHR solutions, meaning that virtually 100% of patient records are digitised and accessible across care settings (NCBI). Sweden utilises a unique personal identity number for each citizen, which facilitates linking health records nationally. An impressive 99% of prescriptions are issued electronically, improving efficiency and safety. Sweden’s national vision to be “best in the world” at exploiting digital health by 2025 rests on such unified systems.

  • Canada: Canada has a high rate of EHR adoption in hospitals and primary care but faces challenges due to provincial silos. As of 2022, only 35% of Canadian physicians reported sharing patient information electronically outside their practice (CIHI). To address this, Canada launched a Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap and introduced the Connected Care for Canadians Act in 2024 to accelerate common data standards. This experience underscores the need for national coordination in a federated system.

  • India: Creating a unified health information infrastructure in a country as large and diverse as India is challenging, yet progress is underway. In August 2020, India launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)—now part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission—to give every citizen a unique digital Health ID and link all health records to it (NDHM). This federated system, outlined in the National Digital Health Blueprint, will enable interoperability across public and private providers. India’s approach highlights a valuable strategy for low- and middle-income countries: leapfrogging to modern health IT by adopting a national architecture from the start.

  • United States: The U.S. achieved near-universal EHR adoption over the past decade thanks to substantial federal investment. By 2021, 96% of U.S. hospitals and 78% of office-based physicians had adopted a certified EHR system (Health IT Dashboard). Programs like the HITECH Act drove this change. However, the U.S. faces an interoperability challenge due to a fragmented landscape with many EHR vendors. The U.S. is addressing this through policies on data standards (FHIR) and information blocking rules, illustrating that going digital alone isn’t enough—systems must talk to each other.

In summary, interoperability is the key to effective EHR deployment. Countries with unified health systems (like Sweden or Israel) can create a single integrated record per patient, whereas federated systems (Canada, US, India) must actively coordinate standards and data exchange networks. The NHS, with its historical IT fragmentation across trusts and regions, can benefit by implementing a unique patient identifier, enforcing common interoperability standards, and providing patients and providers with secure, easy access to data. Ongoing NHS efforts to create a shared care record and enhance interoperability resonate with these global best practices.

Patient engagement and empowerment technologies

Digital health is not only transforming clinician workflows but also how patients engage with health services. A variety of patient-facing technologies—patient portals, health apps, wearable integrations, and remote monitoring tools—empower individuals to take a more active role in their healthcare, improving convenience and personalising care. Consider these examples:

  • United States: The widespread rollout of patient portals tied to EHR systems means virtually every American hospital and most physician clinics offer online access to health information (lab results, visit notes, medications) via secure portals or mobile apps (Health IT.gov). Driven by federal requirements, by 2022, 73% of U.S. adults were offered online access to their medical records, and 57% had accessed them at least once (CDC). Patient portals foster transparency and trust, although ensuring usability across diverse demographics remains a challenge.

  • Sweden and Estonia: Northern European countries lead in enabling patient access to health data. For example, Sweden’s Sundhed.dk allows citizens to log in and view their medical records, e-prescriptions, and even COVID-19 test results or vaccination status (Sundhed.dk). Estonia offers a fully digital health record system where patients can control who accesses their data, with nearly all billing and prescriptions handled electronically (e-Estonia). These unified portals encourage active patient engagement by serving as a one-stop hub for health information.

  • Singapore: Singapore’s National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) system and integrated HealthHub app allow patients to view personal health records, including immunisations, appointments, and more (HealthHub). By linking health records with the national digital identity system (SingPass), Singapore ensures secure and convenient access, while also encouraging wearable integration and preventive health initiatives.

  • United Kingdom: The NHS is expanding its patient engagement toolkit with the NHS App, which allows patients to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and view parts of their GP record (NHS App). The app played a crucial role during COVID-19 for displaying vaccination status and continues to evolve to offer broader record access. This digital empowerment helps patients participate actively in their care.

Collectively, these examples underscore that informed and empowered patients tend to have better experiences and outcomes. When patients can easily access their health information, they are more likely to catch errors, adhere to treatment plans, and make informed decisions. Digital tools like portals, apps, and secure messaging open new channels of communication, supporting a healthcare system where patients are active partners in their care.

Lessons for the NHS: adopting global best practices

Drawing on rich examples of digital health innovation worldwide, several key lessons and best practices emerge for the NHS:

  • Invest in unified infrastructure and interoperability: A unified digital backbone amplifies innovation. Countries like Sweden and Estonia show the value of shared infrastructure (e-Estonia). The NHS should accelerate efforts to break down data silos, adopt a one patient, one record system, and use standards (like FHIR APIs) to ensure systems communicate seamlessly.

  • Leverage national scale for telehealth and remote care: The NHS can learn from India's eSanjeevani platform and others by expanding a national telehealth service, setting clear guidelines, and integrating virtual care with in-person services.

  • Address clinical overload with AI and decision support: Clinician burnout is a major challenge. By deploying AI-powered decision support—similar to models seen in Israel and the US—the NHS can reduce cognitive load. Tools like iatroX, with its quiz mode and AI-driven interfaces, demonstrate how digital tools can enhance clinical decision-making.

  • Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration: Successful digital health initiatives require a pro-innovation culture. The NHS should engage clinicians and patients in co-designing digital services, pilot innovative ideas (as seen with Singapore’s sandbox approaches), and invest in digital skills training to ensure sustainable change.

  • Focus on patient-centred innovation: Ultimately, digital health should benefit patients. The NHS can empower patients with greater access to their records and remote monitoring tools, drawing inspiration from patient portals in the US and unified health portals in Northern Europe.

Conclusion: toward global collaboration in healthcare innovation

From California to Copenhagen to Singapore, the digital transformation of healthcare is a global endeavour. Each country brings its own innovations—be it a groundbreaking AI diagnostic tool, a novel telehealth model, or a nationwide health information exchange—with valuable lessons on what works. Global knowledge exchange is not a zero-sum game; it offers an opportunity for all health systems to learn from each other’s successes and challenges.

For the NHS and other healthcare providers, actively participating in this global knowledge exchange is essential. By collaborating through formal channels (e.g., WHO forums, GDHP) and informal networks (academic exchanges, industry partnerships), the NHS can adopt proven solutions and contribute its own innovations in areas such as AI governance and digital integration.

Looking ahead, cross-border health record interoperability, AI algorithms trained on diverse international data, and collaborative networks of clinicians using telepresence may become the norm. Embracing global best practices in telemedicine, AI diagnostics, EHR interoperability, and patient engagement—and adapting them to local needs—will enable the NHS to unlock the full potential of digital technology in serving patients and supporting clinicians.

In essence, global collaboration in digital health is not merely a visionary concept but a practical strategy for advancing care. By learning from global innovators, we pave the way for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable healthcare future.