The global complementary and alternative medicine market is expected to reach $404.66 billion by 2028, which will be up from $100.04 billion in 2021. While holistic healthcare continues to gain popularity, over the years, many small businesses have had to face multiple challenges – the pandemic, an increase of new competition, and now, a looming recession.
Having the right digital solution enables small healthcare providers to get through all future challenges including an impending recession and tech talent shortage.
As an example of how to address this, Outwater Holistic Healthcare started as a virtual company in 2017, prior to the pandemic-ensued rise of virtual companies — and telehealth. Outwater has partnered with Moxo, to ensure they invested in the right technology that met both their employers and customer needs.
The company’s founder Delilah Scott of Outwater Holistic Healthcare shares her insights on how digital technology can change the trajectory of the holistic healthcare industry.
Digital Journal: Can you tell us about Outwater’s partnership with Moxo?
Delilah Scott: Outwater Holistic Healthcare first partnered with Moxo in early 2021. We originally went searching for a virtual platform that could host live video sessions, and send secured documentation to clients and teammates, as these were processes required to operate our alternative health business. We had experience using other platforms, yet they were not compatible with all our needs. Moxo’s platform enables us to meet our needs as we begin to grow and expand.
Outwater began as a virtual business in 2017, and our partnership with Moxo has solidified all the work we have done over the years, not just for our organization, but also for our clients and partners. We promote easy access to holistic/alternative practitioners at the download of our Moxo-powered app.
DJ: What challenges has the holistic healthcare industry faced in the last few years, and what challenges is the industry facing right now?
Scott: Despite holistic healthcare continuing to gain popularity over the past years, the industry has faced many challenges in the past few years. Resulting from the onset of the pandemic, holistic healthcare providers had to pivot to run their businesses virtually. With this, businesses had to adopt new technologies to meet the level of service that clients expect from an in-person interaction with their healthcare practitioners.
Today, the holistic healthcare industry, as with every industry, is facing rising inflation and a looming recession. As we prepare for an economic downturn, more holistic healthcare providers are working on stretched budgets. In addition, the tech talent shortage is impacting the healthcare industry as organizations are struggling to find individuals to support their digital transformation.
DJ: How has technology played a role in the rise of telehealth?
Scott: Technology is required to help navigate organizations like Outwater Holistic Healthcare, which are revolutionizing and providing cutting edge support to improve overall patient health. Technology is vital in ensuring patient adherence to medication and therapies, as well as coordination of services between providers for overall wellness. Patients and their practitioners require a seamless approach in after-visit engagement and therapy management, and Moxo provides a solution to help us do this.
DJ: How can implementing new technology help small healthcare providers get through these difficult times, especially when they are operating on tight budgets?
Scott: New technology can enable healthcare providers to better serve their clients, especially as the preference for digital interactions grows. Having a single platform to communicate with clients in an organized, efficient manner not only streamlines internal processes for the business, but also for the client.
In addition, automated workflows can help small healthcare providers get through these difficult times, especially when they are operating on tight budgets and limited resources. By automating routine tasks, practitioners have more time to allocate to personalized interactions with their clients. Automation can help businesses optimize their resources while still meeting all the needs of their clients.
DJ: What should healthcare providers look for when adopting a new digital solution?
Scott: When looking to adopt a new solution, healthcare providers should look to invest in a long-term, scalable solution, especially as a recession is anticipated. With budgets stretched thin, healthcare organizations should focus on implementing technology that is future-proof and scalable, so that budget is not wasted on constantly innovating a tech stack when old solutions become outdated. This allows smaller providers to save budget while keeping their business thriving.
DJ: What has been your greatest challenge in the healthcare industry?
Scott: Our greatest challenge has been implementing a digital platform that meets our business and patient needs. Prior to finding Moxo, we had difficulty finding a platform that hosts a virtual hub for client interaction that includes video calls, text messaging, group calls, employee onboarding, and electronic documentation.
DJ: What transformations would you like to see in holistic healthcare within the next 12 months?
Scott: Outwater Holistic Healthcare would like to revolutionize the healthcare industry by utilizing tools and resources that enable our collaboration and implementation of non-traditional health services in traditional healthcare. With the rise of alternative services being utilized during the pandemic, the newer generations are leading us to non-traditional methods of healing. This means we should allow the space for both worlds to grow together by using technology that supports the monitoring and progress of patients to help them reach their healthcare goals.
