Recommendations for implementing Industry 4.0 in the healthcare system

This chapter provides evidence-based recommendations for the key stakeholders in the healthcare system ‒ government, non-governmental organisations (mainly those representing patients), patients themselves, health professionals, and healthcare managers ‒ drawing on the reflections made in the previous chapters. This chapter explores the need for a holistic and iterative approach to implementing the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the national healthcare systems. The process of implementing Health 4.0 solutions is gathering momentum, but its actual pace seems to greatly depend on the wealth of a given economy. A critical component of Health 4.0 is 5G network infrastructure; without it, the full potential of digital health technologies cannot be realized. Data security also presents a serious challenge. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), acting as intermediaries between technology providers and society, should be actively involved in technology development. Being well acquainted with potential users ‒ after all, some of them are not only clients but also founders of such organisations ‒ they can more effectively engage social groups exposed to digital exclusion. The Fourth Industrial Revolution poses enormous challenges for governments in terms of financing and organising their healthcare systems.