COVID-19 has created an unprecedented disruption to the global business community.  Fighting infectious diseases, delivering social services, supporting health workers, and protecting livelihoods are at the very center of attention around the world. With equipment and supplies lacking in every country, this has pushed countries to start re-examining their healthcare and medical supply chains and livelihood-related products.

This will lead to production and procurement of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and medical supplies domestically. The pandemic has also supercharged value on research, data, and epidemiological surveillance which are used regularly in public health. Therefore, there will be a sharp focus on healthcare and hospital management.

The Challenges Faced By The Healthcare & Medical Industry

The healthcare industry in India has been impacted by the pandemic, but not as severely as other industries. This is owing to the medical industry’s importance. But there are some multifaceted challenges due to changing regulations, rising cost of resources, government caps, and other requirements for delivering care.

Through the pandemic, India has faced shortages of healthcare workers. Other challenges are the production of medicines and medical equipment, incorporation of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), and better management of healthcare and hospital facilities. The following challenges add to the woes of the healthcare industry.

• Tackling Advanced Health Technology
• AI-integrated software application
• Cybersecurity in healthcare
• Rising healthcare costs
• Investment in IT healthcare
• Payment Processing and Invoicing
• Pressure on Pharmaceutical Prices
• Healthcare Regulatory Changes
• Lack of Healthcare Staffing
• External Market Disruption

All these challenges can be addressed quickly by hiring more talent and promoting education in the healthcare sector.

The Boom of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

AI is revolutionising the healthcare industry.

AI in Indian healthcare is expanding at a significant rate of 40% approximately. The AI-enabled health services such as automated analysis of medical tests, predictive healthcare diagnosis with the help of monitoring equipment and wearable sensor-based medical devices are expected to revolutionize the medical treatment process in the country.

There are some amazing examples like Glimpse Analytics, a Pune-based startup that uses AI to alert offices and commercial stores of violating social distancing norms. The DRDO’s Centre of AI and Robotics also developed an AI-based COVID detection software application called ATMAN AI. The web-based intelligent software can label images under ‘COVID’, ‘pneumonia’, and ‘normal’ using chest X-rays.

In April, COVIRAP was launched by IIT Kharagpur, a diagnostic tech used to detect an infectious disease like COVID-19. Accenture and Microsoft also have partnered with the Digital India Corporation by the Indian Government to equip citizens with an AI chatbot called MyGov Saathi. AI is unstoppable. Artificial intelligence in healthcare is also being used to provide a cure by repurposing drugs for COVID-19. It will be an important factor in humanity’s fight against infectious diseases.

The Rise of Telemedicine

Telemedicine isn’t new, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put the technology front and center, with clinics closing for certain services after state and local governments issued stay-at-home orders to help prevent the spread of the virus.

And even when doctors’ offices were open, some patients avoided in-person appointments due to COVID-19 fears.

70 lakh consultations done so far on Centre’s free telemedicine service eSanjeevani, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is consistently working towards increasing the reach of this state-of-the-art National Telemedicine Service. In a short span of time, Government India’s National Telemedicine Service has started aiding the Indian healthcare delivery system by plugging the digital health divide that exists in urban and rural India. It is also addressing the shortage of doctors and specialists at the ground level while reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary level hospitals.

In line with the National Digital Health Mission, eSanjeevani is also boosting the digital health ecosystem in the country.

The Rise Of Jobs in Hospital And Healthcare Services

There are several positions in the healthcare industry depending on skill or interest and expertise. The rise of jobs in hospital healthcare increases job opportunities in this sector. Here are the top jobs in the hospital and healthcare services.

• Home Health Aide – Home health aides provide patients with supportive care in their homes. They cook and serve meals, provide medical services like medicine administration, organise schedules, and arrange transport to the doctor’s office. Home health aides perform various other tasks for patients, which include bathing and dressing, also assisting with household chores.

• Occupational therapy Aide – Occupational therapy aides help patients with therapeutic activities like stretches and exercises. They lead children with developmental disabilities in activities that promote socialization and coordination. OT aides teach patients how to use special or adaptive equipment, record patients’ progress, reports to occupational therapists, and do other administrative tasks.
• IT project manager- To say that technology is currently transforming healthcare is an understatement. From the exponential growth of telemedicine and integration projects to the wealth of data created through electronic health records and software analytics, IT professionals have tremendous job growth and security. Even if you’re not an IT professional, you may be able to start as an analyst and gain some technical certifications — with such rapid job growth, the opportunity is ripe.
• Clinical Laboratory Technicians – Clinical laboratory technicians are highly skilled in discovering if a disease is present or absent and provides data that helps physicians treat the patient with the best solution. Laboratory technicians play an important role in providing personalized care. They generate data in identifying and treating heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.
• Behavioral health services manager- Mental health had been a burgeoning priority for many companies, however, it became a widely popular issue during the pandemic. Numerous employers invested in mental health benefits, payers moved to increase coverage, and health systems took steps to integrate mental health into several clinical departments.

The Most In-Demand Healthcare Management Jobs in India

 As the healthcare industry continues double-digit growth, non-clinical management roles will continue to rise as well. These are few of the most in-demand healthcare jobs in India.

• Healthcare Manager – Healthcare managers coordinate with healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive effective care. Healthcare managers may work at a department, office, facility, or healthcare network. They handle development goals, personnel management, quality improvement, financial planning & management, infrastructure development, and internal communications.
• Hospital Administrator – Hospital administrator is the professional behind the scenes workers, allowing all healthcare facilities to be efficient. They work in nursing homes, outpatient facilities, and hospitals. Responsibilities include developing budgets, hiring doctors and other staff, creating new policies, promotion and implementation of new medical treatments, patient services, and complying with government guidelines.
• Hospital Executive – A hospital executive is responsible for management and operation for a healthcare organization or hospital. They often report to the board of directors and ensure the hospital is run cost-effectively.
• Healthcare Analyst – Healthcare analyst sorts essential data from huge amounts of information and acquires key insights from it. These insights are mainly provided for healthcare facilities to make decisions. The individuals with specialized knowledge like analysis, data acquisition, interpretation, and data maintenance work as healthcare analysts.
• Medical Transcriptionist – A medical transcriptionist deals with the transcribing process of voice-recorded reports which are dictated by nurses, physicians, or other practitioners. Medical reports can include voice files, from a lecture, or spoken material.

Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Healthcare Management

One of the biggest ways entrepreneurship and healthcare are related is how business practices are driving the industry. Healthcare BBAs and other healthcare professionals are using business concepts to revolutionize traditional healthcare. Market incentives are pushing experienced entrepreneurs and investors into the healthcare industry, and they are finding a welcome market, open to new ideas and technologies. Here are a few of the biggest entrepreneurship opportunities in Healthcare Management:

• Geriatric Care Centre – Geriatric care centres help in caring for the elderly patients facing mental and/or physical impairments. They mainly care for their long-term needs, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of life. They also work closely with patients’ families to manage and refer them to various types of social and health services.
• Pediatric Care Centre – Pediatric care centre is dedicated to children suffering from serious diseases. It focuses on nutrition, growth & development, prevention, and treatment of illnesses. They provide quality care for the kid and family. The pediatric care centre has a panel of nurses, doctors, and other caretakers. It’s family-focused and guides parents to look after the welfare of the child.
• Telemedicine Software – Telemedicine software lets doctors interact with patients online, which has been useful for rural populations with access to specialists who are not locally available. During the pandemic, this has become a popular option for those hesitant to visit the emergency department for routine complaints. Telemedicine options are immediately accessible on a 24/7 basis.
• Housekeeping Services – Housekeeping can be defined as a service for providing a clean, safe, comfortable, and appealing environment. Housekeeping is responsible for maintenance, cleanliness, tidying rooms, back areas, public areas, and surroundings.
• Necessity Supply Services – Necessity supplies are services or products that consumers buy regardless of income levels, making them less sensitive products to change in income. Examples are repetitive purchases of food, communication, transportation, using electricity, water, medicines, etc.
• Insurance Advisors – Insurance advisors are a bridge between insurance companies and the public. Insurance advisors sell policies and get commissions on specific policies that are sold. The advisor should be able to generate maximum business, be persistent and promote the insurance company.
• Medical tourism – Medical tourism is growing in India. In the mid-2020s, medical tourism in India was estimated at $5-6 billion. India receives medical tourists from Canada, Australia, China, Russia, UK, and the US. Chennai is known as India’s capital for healthcare. In February 2019, the government even expanded the e-tourism VISA regime to ease the medical tourist travel process.
• Data Analysis – Previously, there wasn’t much focus in the health area on data but things are different today. From controlling expenses to detection of fraud, data analysis can solve various types of problems. Medical records, information by medical devices, patient satisfaction surveys, employee spreadsheets, and monitoring medical equipment generate huge amounts of data that can be properly utilised with data analysis.
• Palliative Care Centre – Palliative care is medical care specialised for people with serious illnesses. This kind of care provides relief from symptoms and stress of the illness. Specially trained doctors, specialists, and nurses work together with the patient’s doctor for extra support. It’s based on patients’ needs, not prognosis.
• Spa & Wellness Centre – A spa is where patients can relax, detox and rejuvenate. Spa and wellness centre offers various health treatments also known as balneotherapy. Such practices have been popular for various treatments to maintain personal care.

Top Healthcare & Hospitals Hiring For Healthcare Management Jobs

The healthcare industry is booming. As technology has improved and become more widely available, many healthcare companies are becoming more numerous and experiencing an unprecedented level of competition. They’re seeking manforce of exceptional individuals who can be a pillar of strength for the medical industry’s growth.

Health care managers play a critical role at all career levels. They may serve in high profile roles like CEO of a major hospital or work behind the scenes in risk management or quality improvement. Some health care managers might choose to work more directly with the public in positions like public health or health education. Health care managers can be found working in hospitals, physician offices, outpatient care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, government agencies, research laboratories, colleges, and many additional places of employment. Some of the top hospitals hiring for healthcare management jobs are:

• Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital
• Maxcare Hospital
• Lotus Multispeciality Hospital
• Phoenix Hospital
• Healing Touch Hospital
• Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital
• Jehangir Hospital
• Poona Hospital
• AIIMS
• Noble Hospital

How To Become A Competent Healthcare Professional?

When looking to work as a healthcare executive, manager, or entrepreneur,  many jobs list skills that aren’t necessarily technical but are instead managerial. Below are five common competencies that every good healthcare professional must know and practice.

1. Clear communication:

Any position in the healthcare field requires an enormous amount of communication between staff members and patients. Clear communication is the key to forging relationships with members of staff and patients. Remember that choice of words isn’t the only thing that enhances communication, your appearance matters too.

2. Hands on experience:

Having hands-on experience in healthcare administration will help achieve a top dollar salary as a healthcare executive. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Healthcare Manager in India is ₹550,000 per year. To achieve this type of salary, you must have knowledge of healthcare trends, changes in Healthcare reform, patient privacy laws and of course medical terminology.

3. Good business etiquettes:

As a healthcare executive or administrator, it is important to show good business etiquette. Flexibility when carrying out daily responsibilities and taking on additional tasks when necessary are also elements that make a good professional.

4. Work experience:

Perhaps one of the most important requirements of those seeking executive positions in healthcare is having work experience. It helps to have knowledge and experience with business systems and general administrative duties.

5. Leadership quality:

The greatest names in the healthcare industry are those who can lead others. Candidates for executive positions in healthcare have a much better chance of being a leader/manager if they can solve problems by envisioning change and having the ability to execute it. All this with or without a team.

How A Degree Course in Healthcare & Hospital Management Works?

The BBA in hospital and healthcare management course aims to make eligible candidates with skill and proficiency in research, evaluation and presenting data and arguments for management and administration of hospitals and healthcare facilities. Students are taught about the changes in technology, healthcare laws, and regulations. The BBA in hospital and healthcare management course is very application-based.

The BBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management course core objectives are:

• Integrating healthcare ethics.
• Develop dynamic young professionals.
• Provide practical and intensive healthcare management knowledge
• Develop skills through real work situations.
• Projects or training in healthcare-related industries.
• Teach managerial and leadership skills.
• Promote research and efficiency in healthcare and hospitals.
• Promote the development of high-quality healthcare services.

Be at the Forefront of the Medical Industry With IIMP’s BBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management Degree Course 

Indira Institute of Management, Pune (IIMP), the top institute of Indira Group of Institutes (IGI) is among the best BBA colleges in Pune and is recognized by the National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi for 3 years. IIMP is also ranked in the top 50 B-schools in the country.

Thus, a BBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management course is going to be top-notch. Not only will you get the best education, you will also get opportunities to learn from the best professionals in the industry and work in the top hospitals. To know more about their BBA in Hospital and Healthcare management course, fill out the admission enquiry form.