The future of cardiac care: super specialism and innovative technologies
By Mr Chris Young, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK
How to give patients a seamless experience
In this modern world where we are seeing technological advancements every day, it is crucial not to lose sight of what truly matters within the healthcare industry — the patients. The field of cardiology has made remarkable strides and has evolved significantly over the years, with numerous breakthroughs and advancements. From minimally invasive procedures to the use of innovative technologies, cardiologists have more tools at their disposal than ever before.
However, the future of cardiac care is not solely about the shift to digitalisation and embracing new technologies, which includes AI, robotics, automation and telecare (i.e. virtual consultation). But it revolves around providing patients rapid access and seamless experience that they need, at a time they need it the most.
Patient journeys to healthcare can be complex and challenging to navigate around. Taking advantage of new technologies can help improve the patient experience, outcomes and efficiencies within a hospital. However, the task on hand remains the same: how to create a cohesive ecosystem that integrates innovative technologies and expert capabilities to deliver high-quality patient care?
We interviewed, Mr Chris Young, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital and HCA UK’s Chief of Cardiac Council, to gain a deep understanding on how to provide a seamless patient experience in the realm of cardiology.
Personalised care
"An exceptional patient experience revolves around personalised care, where patients feel heard, respected, and genuinely cared for," says Mr Young. At its core, it involves actively listening to their concerns, treating them with compassion, and involving them in decision-making processes to create a personalised treatment plan. "Our patients are at the heart of everything, and it is about meeting their unique requirements and finding the right solutions for them" highlighted Mr Young.
Gone are the days when patients passively accepted whatever treatments were prescribed to them. Today, patients are more informed and engaged, taking an active role in their treatment decisions. "Patients seek personalised care that recognises their individual circumstances, preferences, medical history and lifestyle. And it is our duty as a healthcare provider to respect their decisions and work collaboratively with them to find the best solutions to treat their conditions. For example, for patients who can't tolerate open heart surgery, we carry out minimally invasive procedures which are less traumatic to patients. They are an alternative to open heart surgery and benefits include faster recovery times, less pain post-op, a reduced risk of infection and improved cosmetic results."
Healthcare providers embark on a journey of constant reinvention and adaptation, which is finding the right balance between drawing from past successes and embracing changes required to deliver optimal results to patients. "To meet the changing needs and expectations of our patients, we must be agile and adaptive – by continuously learning new techniques, leveraging our capabilities, evolving our equipment and refining our processes and services. For example, we have pioneered a number of techniques to treat patients with blocked coronaries who may have required cardiac surgery to treat their coronary artery disease. We use evidence-based algorithms to treat major chronic total occlusion with the latest techniques and technology, thus sparing the need for surgery and optimising patient outcomes."
Super specialisation
To truly meet their needs, we must approach each patient as an individual. "It’s not a one-size fits all approach," Mr Young commented. By embracing a patient-centric mindset, we open the door to a world of possibilities, allowing us to find the most suitable solutions for each individual. One of the most significant developments in the world of cardiology has been the rise of super specialism, where heart specialists dedicate their skills and expertise to specific areas of the heart. As the heart is a complex organ, susceptible to a wide range of conditions, it's not surprising that heart surgery requires super specialists.
A super specialisation approach allows for unparalleled expertise and innovation, ensuring patients receive the best possible care for their unique needs. Super specialists possess in-depth knowledge and experience within their specialist areas. They are dedicated to excellence and passionate about innovation. For instance, in the case aortic valve disorders, super specialists are experts in managing aortic vascular diseases. These complex cases demand the expertise and experience of super specialists who can navigate such challenges with skill and precision.
"As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I have honed my skills and developed a keen eye for identifying and treating complex cases that involve multiple segments of the aorta. I have achieved this through many years of training, experience and performing high volume of surgeries including aortic dissection, aortic arch replacement, endovascular stenting and procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)," Mr Young explained.
"In other areas of cardiology, our team of thoracic consultants have refined their technical skills by bringing their decades of clinical experience, learned new techniques and utilised the latest technologies to perform robotic surgery and treat all conditions of the lungs; from common respiratory conditions such as asthma and sleep apnoea to lung cancers, TB and inflammatory diseases."
Multi-disciplinary collaboration
Cardiac surgery is about individual expertise that thrives within a forward-thinking and collaborative team. "Working alongside my esteemed colleagues at HCA UK, we are leading the way in advanced surgical techniques including open, minimally invasive, endoscopic and robotic-assisted heart surgery. This allows us to provide personalised, high-quality care every time. As Chair of HCA Healthcare UK's Cardiac Council, I am privileged to work with such experts daily, where we offer transformative results to our patients."
Central to this approach is a multi-disciplinary collaboration. An exceptional patient care is not a one-time transaction but a journey that requires ongoing support. It means providing continuity of care by ensuring patients have access to support throughout their treatment and beyond. "For example, cardiac rehabilitation plays a critical role in long-term recovery and wellbeing. Our dedicated rehab CNS supports all patients undergoing heart surgery. This close collaboration with consultants, cardiac nurses, physiologists, occupational therapists and dietitians ensure continuity of care before, during and after a hospital stay. Specialised cardiac physiotherapists are also a crucial part of the surgical team helping patients in the early stages of recovery."
Conclusion
Cardiology is advancing at a rapid pace, and the future of cardiac care lies in embracing the synergy between super specialism and innovative technologies. By combining the expertise of heart specialists with the power of smart technologies, delivering an innovative and collaborative patient care becomes possible. This allows us to be at the forefront of transformative medicine where cardiac care is both cutting-edge and compassionate.
When it comes to heart disease, patients expect rapid access to care, seamless experience, and best-in-class heart specialists, to get that peace of mind over their heart health. This is something we pride ourselves on at HCA UK – patients can get unrivalled speed of access to cardiac appointments and results, and by tailoring interventions to individual needs, we can ensure patients receive the most advanced and compassionate care available.
Book an appointment to see a cardiologist now. Call 020 7616 4988