Times are quickly changing. Collective social consciousness has created an important positive aspect when it comes to investment. While investors still want to create wealth, many intend to improve the world around them.

When managing your capital, it’s important to consider ROI and the bottom line. However, when deciding on where to invest, healthcare is not only an investment to strengthen and stabilize a portfolio, but it can help medical facilities, and in turn, improve the quality of people’s lives.

Healthcare has become one of the most heavily invested sectors over the past few years. And the past two years, in particular, have accelerated the transformation of the industry. From telehealth to artificial intelligence, the industry promises continued advancement, which will further increase the number of investment opportunities. One of the more direct and perhaps most important opportunities comes in the form of investing in health clinics themselves which offer invaluable services to their communities.

Impact of the pandemic

The pandemic had a profound impact on the operations and effectiveness of clinics worldwide, prompting massive changes ranging from fiscal to operational. Not only was the industry forced to develop alternative methods of delivering healthcare services, but the pandemic also highlighted the necessity for clinics to include emergency and business continuity strategies to better plan for potential future health crises.

Telemedicine was implemented to assist with the reduction of the spread of COVID with many clinics shifting their services to provide virtual care. Investing in technology, equipment, and infrastructure provides more effective and efficient care, allowing clinics to support these major changes.

Technology to save lives

Clinics have adopted the use of electronic medical record systems, telemedicine platforms, practice management software, and diagnostic imaging technologies. They may also use lab systems, personal health record portals, and other health information technology tools to manage patient information, communicate with other healthcare providers and streamline processes. The specific technology used depends on the needs and resources of the clinic.

Robotic technologies are not as widely used in clinics as other health information technologies, yet in recent years they have been gaining traction in certain areas such as surgery, rehabilitation, and telemedicine. Robotic systems can assist medical professionals in performing complex procedures, improving accuracy and outcomes, and assisting to shorten the length of aftercare needs allowing patients to be released early from inpatient care.

Access to well-equipped clinics with increased investments can improve quality of life in several ways ranging from improved healthcare services and reduced waiting times to better preventative care, improved patient experience, and better healthcare outcomes. Clinics that are able to purchase equipment, hire more experienced healthcare professionals and offer a wider range of services, equip them with the tools to reduce wait times and provide quicker access to services.

Access to primary healthcare provides drastic improvements

Studies have shown that increased access to primary care services is associated with lower rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits. Meanwhile, clinics with specialized care have increased accessibility to less engaged communities, often in areas that have been neglected.

Care for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, has been shown to improve the control of symptoms. Better-funded maternity and pediatric clinics with increased access to prenatal and postnatal care reduce maternal and infant mortality. Mental health clinics lead to an improvement in treatment outcomes and reduced rates of suicide.

Government incentives are put in place to encourage financial support, allowing for diversification which therefore enables them to better prepare their economic growth and management – and ultimately to an increase in the potential for high returns. Recurring revenue supports the growing demand for healthcare services and supports scalability to increase the number of services offered, provide access to more advanced equipment, and train staff for better results.

Worth investing in humans

A price cannot be put on human lives and any investment into people’s well-being is vital. The pandemic has made us aware of the necessity to invest in our collective futures; there are always ongoing health crises and unforeseeable circumstances for which we must be prepared.

Healthcare provision and the impact of well-funded, well-functioning clinics can be game-changing and ensure that the local communities living there feel nurtured and supported. Humans are worth the investment.