Hundred-Day Initiative Concludes, 'Internet + Healthcare' Benefits Continue: Shandong Provincial Third Hospital Advances Digital Health Services

In response to the call from the Shandong Provincial Health Commission, although the “100-Day Campaign for Public Convenience and Benefit,” launched late last year, is drawing to a close, the seeds of “Internet + Healthcare” are taking deeper root at Shandong Provincial Third Hospital (hereinafter referred to as “Shandong Provincial Third Hospital”), becoming a powerful tool for chronic disease management and disease prevention.

In December 2018, the Internet Hospital of Shandong Provincial Third Hospital became one of the first medical institutions in the province to be approved for internet hospital practice qualifications. Since its launch and operation, the Internet Hospital of Shandong Provincial Third Hospital has received 29,508 consultation orders, 4,854 valid patient reviews, and 4,762 positive reviews, achieving a positive review rate of 98%.

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To further enhance service capacity, efficiency, and patient satisfaction, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital has implemented a series of specialized disease management models for visiting patients. Leveraging “Internet + Healthcare” as a link, these models promote the integration of online and offline services throughout the pre-diagnosis, intra-diagnosis, and post-diagnosis phases.

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Data interoperability is the foundation for connecting online and offline services. Seizing the opportunity presented by the development of its internet hospital, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital comprehensively upgraded and transformed its hospital information system. This enables physicians to access electronic medical records when providing online services to follow-up patients, whether they are outpatients or discharged patients, thereby providing strong support for follow-up diagnosis and treatment.

Online appointment booking, virtual consultations and follow-ups, interpretation of test and examination reports, online payment, health education... The specialized disease management program at Shandong Provincial Third Hospital is not merely a combination of various convenient and public-benefit services; it also integrates the concept of “from disease to health” in accordance with the characteristics of disease course management, thereby enhancing patients’ health literacy while ensuring continuous care.

Taking the most popular obstetrics and gynecology specialty services as an example, considering the travel difficulties faced by obstetric patients, the department offers fetal heart rate monitoring and ultrasound appointment services for perinatal patients to reduce waiting times at the hospital. Furthermore, given the characteristics of perinatal care, these specialty services also provide comprehensive online follow-up consultations involving multidisciplinary collaboration among obstetrics, endocrinology, nutrition, and other specialties. For instance, this helps patients at risk of gestational diabetes manage their blood glucose levels, thereby reducing the risk of disease onset during pregnancy and minimizing adverse effects on fetal development.

In addition to the professional diagnostic and treatment services provided by medical staff, specialized care services have incorporated the role of health managers. The introduction of health managers has broken the rigid pattern of communication between doctors and patients, adding a more human touch to professional services. Typically, health managers provide personalized online services such as pre-consultation reminders, post-consultation follow-ups, and health education. Patients can contact their health manager immediately whenever they have concerns or questions. For instance, if a patient accidentally left personal belongings behind upon discharge after childbirth, the ward nurses would inform the patient through the health manager. Leveraging the convenience and accessibility of internet-based tools, the reach of specialized services has been further extended, bridging the gap between doctors and patients and delivering tangible benefits to patients.

From its inception, the specialized service has been guided by the principles of continuity and whole-course disease management. Therefore, when designing the service offerings, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital and Weiyi, the construction and operation partner, primarily focused on chronic diseases requiring multiple stages of treatment and nursing care. This approach aims to standardize disease management while fostering correct prevention and treatment concepts among patients through multi-scenario online and offline interactions. Ultimately, it seeks to enhance patient adherence to health management, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life.

Currently, specialized services have been launched across multiple disciplines, including obstetrics and gynecology, hepatobiliary endoscopy, acupuncture and physiotherapy, endocrinology, and rehabilitation, with continuous care provided to over 300 patients.

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Encouraged by the positive outcomes of its in-hospital services, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital has been actively exploring the use of “Internet + Healthcare” since the beginning of this year to extend diagnostic, treatment, and health services to various institutions. For example, it co-established a “Construction Site Online Hospital” with China Construction Eighth Engineering Division, providing online consultations and health lectures through the smart device “Weiyitong”; collaborated with the Jinan Railway Bureau to offer free clinics and promote first-aid knowledge to travelers at Jinan West Railway Station; and participated in volunteer activities organized by party members of provincial-level government agencies, providing online free clinics to citizens at Quancheng Square.

At the end of last year, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shuyu Pingmin Pharmacy (a chain pharmacy in Shandong Province), and Weiyi jointly signed a cooperation agreement. Through measures such as online follow-up consultations and prescription outflow, they achieved standardized management of chronic diseases outside hospitals, empowered grassroots pharmacies, and jointly created a model for medical-pharmaceutical consortium services.

As a pioneer in healthcare reform in Shandong Province, one of the first institutions in the province to be accredited as an Internet Hospital, and among the initial demonstration units for integrated medical and elderly care, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital was honored with the title of “Outstanding Team for Entrepreneurship and Dedication Across the Province” by the Organization Department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee this February. The hospital will remain committed to deepening reforms, driving the transition from old to new growth drivers, and continuously exploring innovative management models, thereby steadily enhancing its health service capabilities and social influence.