- By Mr. Pavan Sharma, MD & CEO, First Response Healthcare
The healthcare industry is at a turning point. With rapid advancements in technology, patient preferences, and shifting healthcare burdens, we are witnessing a transformation in how primary care is delivered. No longer limited to hospitals and clinics, healthcare is expanding its reach, with a significant shift toward on-demand, home-based medical care that prioritizes accessibility and convenience.
As the CEO of First Response Healthcare, I am proud to be at the forefront of this shift—bridging the gap between traditional healthcare settings and patient-centric models. Over the last several years, we have seen a dramatic increase in demand for at-home healthcare services, including doctor home visits, IV therapy, health checkups, and even specialized treatments such as dental care at home.
This movement is not just about convenience—it is about revolutionizing the way healthcare is experienced while making it truly holistic and personalized. In today’s world where people expect the convenience of home delivery for everything—from food and groceries to salon services—healthcare, a critical necessity, should be no different. To meet the demands of the modern consumer, medical care must be available at home within 30 minutes, 24/7, anywhere in the world.
The next five to ten years will likely witness a blended approach to healthcare—where hospitals focus on complex medical interventions while routine primary care shifts to homes. The impact of this transition will be far-reaching, alleviating pressure on overburdened hospitals and government resources, optimizing healthcare costs, and empowering patients with better access to care.
One of the most exciting developments I anticipate is the expansion of virtual wards at home. These innovative care models combine teleconsultation and wearables with home visits, allowing patients to receive continuous monitoring and medical care without the need for hospital stays.
This model has profound implications for chronic disease management and preventive care. Patients with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases can receive proactive treatment from their homes, significantly reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and emergency visits. Studies by Mckinsey suggest that up to 25% of care services for Medicare beneficiaries could shift from traditional hospitals to home-based settings in the coming years.
At First Response Healthcare, we are already implementing this model—integrating at-home primary care and personalized treatment plans. By doing so, we ensure patients receive timely, high-quality medical care for acute conditions such as respiratory issues, digestive disorders, and dehydration—all within the comfort and safety of their own homes.
While the patient experience is at the heart of this transformation, technology is the catalyst enabling it. The integration of AI-driven diagnostics, wearable technology, and IoT-enabled health monitoring devices is redefining how healthcare providers assess, treat, and follow up with patients.
AI-driven diagnostics are also set to enhance medical decision-making, allowing physicians to analyse vast amounts of patient data, identify patterns, and prescribe personalised treatments with greater accuracy. For patients, this means earlier detection of diseases, better treatment outcomes, and reduced hospitalizations.
As home healthcare models gain traction, hospitals will undergo a strategic shift—focusing more on advanced treatments, complex surgeries, and critical care.
Technology will also strengthen secondary and tertiary care, enabling hospitals to allocate resources to specialized care areas such as robotic-assisted surgeries, precision medicine, and intensive care treatments.
According to recent studies, demand for home-based healthcare in the GCC region is expected to rise significantly, driven by an aging population, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a heightened focus on patient-centric care.
This shift is further validated by reports predicting that the UAE’s healthcare sector will grow to AED 39.4 billion in 2024, indicating a rapid expansion in healthcare accessibility and innovation across all healthcare verticals.
While technology is revolutionizing primary care, the human element remains irreplaceable. Despite the rise of AI and automation, patients will always seek human-centered, compassionate healthcare experiences.
Healthcare providers must strike a balance between innovation and patient care, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the human touch. From personalized in-home visits to dedicated follow-up care, the focus should remain on building trust, empathy, and patient relationships.
As at-home healthcare grows, one thing is clear: primary care is evolving, and the home is at the heart of this transformation.
