Introduction
Over the last two years, governments globally have been struggling with COVID-19 and its consequences. Various experts have proposed that focusing on innovation might be unnecessary in light of the pandemic, and investing in infrastructure and existing treatments is more appropriate. As a result, there is an ongoing debate about the significance of innovation in medicine. Ultimately, the current essay argues that despite several drawbacks and financial limitations, innovations are necessary in the healthcare industry.
Innovation Advantages and Disadvantages
To determine whether innovation is necessary, it is crucial to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the approach. The primary drawback of innovation is the financial burden since it requires extensive resources and time. For instance, some experts refer to decreasing profitability of hospitals, high rates of burnout/stress among nurses, and crashes of digital systems in medical facilities (Joseph). Hence, many people believe that investing in innovation when the healthcare system is experiencing multiple challenges is ineffective.
However, it is essential to note that although innovation might be risky, it can potentially improve all areas of medicine. For instance, the digitalization of healthcare can reduce overcrowding in hospitals during stressful periods and improve the overall patient-clinician relationship (Warraich et al.). Innovative treatments can enhance health outcomes, while new methods of financial supply can increase the efficiency of bureaucracy in hospitals (Joseph). After all, if there is a problem, there is an innovative approach that can potentially solve this issue. This mindset is crucial in advancing medicine, and it clearly shows that innovation is necessary.
Conclusion
Innovation is an expensive but rewarding investment that can significantly improve the efficiency of hospitals and existing treatments. Healthcare continually encounters new challenges, and experts must develop new ways of overcoming these obstacles. COVID-19 has overloaded healthcare systems globally, resulting in multiple human losses and financial burdens. However, it has also shown that innovations, such as vaccine research and the digitalization of healthcare, are crucial in mitigating emerging challenges.
Works Cited
Joseph, Seth. “Innovation Amid Declining Margins: Four Questions Health Systems Should Ask Themselves Prior to Investment.” Forbes, Web.
Warraich, Haider, et al. “The Digital Transformation of Medicine can Revitalize the Patient-Clinician Relationship.” NPJ Digital Medicine, vol. no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-3.