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Opportunities and Challenges of Taiwan’s Smart Healthcare Industry

2024-04-30

Introduction

Taiwan successfully nurtured remarkable talent in the biopharmaceuticals, electronics and ICT industries. According to the Health Care Index 2024 ranking released by the global database website NUMBEO, Taiwan ranked first in the world for eight consecutive years, surpassing South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands and France, with its world-leading comprehensive healthcare and national health insurance system. Moreover, the total output value of Taiwan's IC industry ranks second in the world, after the United States. In the post-epidemic era, the field of remote and smart healthcare has become one of the main directions for the development of the global biopharmaceutical industry. By leveraging Taiwan's strengths in clinical medicine and ICT industries, this competitive edge is expected to catalyze the Taiwan’s next industrial boom.

I. Current Status of Smart Healthcare Development in Taiwan:

Taiwan’s ICT industry’s design and manufacturing capabilities, in conjunction with its capacity for cross-domain integration with the medical industry, offer significant advantages in developing smart healthcare. The output value of Taiwan's smart healthcare industry in 2024 is estimated to be NT$60 billion. Taiwan’s current investment in smart healthcare can be divided into three main categories:

Major Electronics Manufacturers: Companies such as Quanta (QOCA telemedicine platform), ASUS (AICS smart healthcare solution) and Compal (Compal i Care System, BoostFix, etc.) have invested in building system integration solutions. This provides a solid foundation for Taiwan's smart healthcare development by leading electronics manufacturers providing essential equipment and data application solutions.
Startup Solutions: Many startup teams have created solutions to address clinical needs, such as the Deep01 Limited auxiliary diagnosis system for cerebral hemorrhage, aetherAI’s bone marrow smear interpretation system, Acer Medical's VeriSee DR auxiliary diagnosis system for diabetic retinopathy, and Ever Fortune AI’s chest X-ray assisted diagnostic system, etc. These technologies demonstrate the significant potential of digital technology to transform medical care.
Collaborations Between Industry Giants and Startups: Major electronics manufacturers and AI startups are collaborating on developing solutions for clinical needs and challenges. For example, Compal worked with Wistrend to develop the AI Contour and Annotation Platform for heart and blood vessel imaging by utilizing algorithm modules and AI assistance. Similarly, BesTCOM Infotech Corp. and Imvitec Corporation have jointly developed the Brain Radiation Therapy (AVM Brain Arteriovenous Malformation) Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Image Prediction and Evaluation System. Through AI algorithms, normal brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and diseased blood vessels are automatically contoured to facilitate benefit analysis before radiosurgery and postoperative predictions to assist doctors in understanding the lesion.

II. Building the Vision for Smart Hospitals

Thanks to the National Health Insurance (NHI), Taiwan’s smart hospitals have a solid foundation for further advancement. During the pandemic, the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) played a crucial role in managing masks, rapid screening and vaccines. The NHI not only provides all citizens with basic healthcare, but also serves as an efficient digital medical records system. This system allows for seamless medical collaboration by enabling the sharing of patients’ medical information between doctors and medical institutions. This data-sharing model not only increases efficiency, but also helps improve patient treatment outcomes and can be extended to national health management. Using the model in diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and the provision of customized patient services, allows Taiwan to develop smart hospitals.

Smart hospitals in Taiwan are rapidly developing, with institutions including National Taiwan University Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital and Changhua Christian Hospital actively building relevant sites and systems. By integrating advanced technology and medical services, these institutions aim to provide patients with better care and experience. The following are key developments in smart hospitals in Taiwan:

Data Integration and Sharing:
Digital medical records systems to allow doctors and nurses working in smart hospitals to access patients' medical records, examination reports and prescriptions at any time, improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Remote Monitoring and Telediagnosis:
Smart hospitals use remote monitoring technology for patients' vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. This helps doctors detect problems early and provide immediate medical intervention.
Telediagnosis and treatment allows patients to consult with doctors through video conferencing, reducing the need for hospital visits. This is particularly beneficial for long-term patients and home care recipients.
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analysis:
Smart hospitals in Taiwan use AI technology to analyze medical images and assist doctors in making more accurate diagnoses of tumors and strokes. Big data analysis can also help predict disease trends, improve medical quality, and provide better treatment options.
Patient Engagement and Experience
Smart hospitals use mobile applications and online platforms to allow patients to make appointments, look up physician information, and view examination reports and prescriptions at any time, improving patient participation and satisfaction.

In short, Taiwan’s smart hospitals are constantly exploring and applying new technologies to improve medical services and enhance patients’ quality of life.

III. Challenges facing Taiwan’s Smart Healthcare Industry

At present, Taiwan's smart healthcare industry is facing the following challenges:

Regulatory Restrictions: Considerable regulatory restrictions remain, such as medical device regulations for innovative digital products, telemedicine laws that change medical models, and relevant regulations and personal information and privacy protection in the field of information security, all of which need further adjustment.
Operating Models and Medical Payments: Taiwan’s national health insurance system covers more than 95% of medical expenditures. However, the payment mechanism for new products and service models requires further inter-ministerial discussions.
International Standards and Integration: Bridging the digital systems of hospitals around the world requires adherence to international standards, which are also necessary for digital healthcare R&D and entering overseas markets. Currently, Taiwan's international medical information system is still in its infancy. In the future, it should align with the latest international medical information standards (FHIR) so as to accelerate the industrialization of digital health.

IV. Conclusion

Taiwan’s comprehensive national health insurance system and the remarkable strength and innovation of the ICT and biopharmaceutical industries have provided strong impetus for the advancement of smart healthcare in Taiwan. Taiwan's smart hospitals combine advanced technology with humanized care, enhancing not just the efficiency of medical services, but also patient experience. As new opportunities arise in the post-pandemic era, Taiwan needs to further innovate regulations, adjust operating models, and strengthen international cooperation to ensure that smart healthcare industry can continue to innovate, develop and establish a strong presence in the global market. Achieving this will position Taiwan as a leader in the global medical industry.

Source： Medical Devices and Opto-electronics Equipment Department, Metal Industries Research and Development Centre