Strong technology backbone, paving the way for smart labs that can handle the increasing demands at greater speed and lower cost should characterise the future of diagnostic labs
The diagnostic labs in India are expected to undergo significant transformations driven by technological advancements, evolving healthcare needs, and changing patient expectations.
Today, there is an increasing reliance on tech-based diagnostic solutions. Labs are already implementing technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in their systems. It would be interesting to see how the future of diagnostic labs will shape up.
Mayur Abhaya, MD, Life-Cell International mentions, “The diagnostic organisations today are already moving towards becoming futuristic, technology-led labs where digital tools are revolutionising the way people access healthcare, making it more efficient and cost-effective. That being said, this will only get better in the future!”
What would diagnostic labs of the future look like?
Tech-enabled diagnosis or digitisation is one of the major trends which will shape the future of diagnostics in India paving the way for smart labs that can handle the increasing demands at greater speed and lower cost.
Source: Ram Ray, Chief Growth Officer, Mylab Discovery Solutions
Zoya Brar, Founder & Executive Advisor, Core Diagnostics explains, “Diagnostic labs of the future would be space agnostic and continuously learning systems. A lab could look like a small device the size of Airpods in someone’s palm at home. Or it could look like a toothbrush that collects saliva while someone brushes their teeth and analyses parameters to track health. In the future labs would enable continuous monitoring and real-time analysis and data interpretation.”
Some of the key characteristics will be automation and robotics, advanced analytical techniques, personalised medicine and data integration etc.
Talking about the future of labs in India, Dr Pavan Asalapuram, Co-Founder, Empe Diagnostics mentions, “Trends and developments in the laboratory instruments industry have been changing rapidly over the past several years. The future role of laboratories will be more geared towards reducing laboratory errors, eliminating unnecessary testing, and focusing on quality control. Digitalisation, robotisation, and automation are giving rise to smart laboratories and smart imaging systems that can readily handle the increasing demands from healthcare providers and consumers at greater speed and lower cost. “
Dr Asalapuram also explains how diagnostic labs of the future will be more personalised. He said, “Patients will be able to have their samples analysed on a molecular level, which will allow for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This will be especially important for patients with rare diseases or complex medical conditions. Besides, diagnostic labs will become more accessible. Patients will be able to have their samples analysed at home or in a doctor’s office, rather than having to travel to a traditional lab. This will make it easier for patients to get the care they need, when they need it.”
Dr Arjun Dang, CEO & Partner, Dr Dangs Lab believes that future labs will prioritise seamless data integration and interoperability between healthcare systems. He added, “This will facilitate the exchange of patient information, test results, and medical records, enabling comprehensive analysis and personalised patient care. As labs embrace digital technologies and data sharing, robust cybersecurity measures and adherence to privacy regulations will safeguard patient information.”
Given the rising absorption of science, technology, miniaturisation and advanced analytics in the system, the future of diagnostics is integral to the future of the overall healthcare ecosystem and this co-dependency will transform the future of diagnostics.
Venkata Suman Cherukuri, Chairman & MD, TRUSTlab Diagnostics said, “There will be a greater emphasis on miniaturised diagnostic devices that enable point-of-care testing. These portable and handheld devices will provide rapid results at the patient’s location, reducing the need for sending samples to centralised labs and minimising turnaround times.”
Explaining the integration of medical imaging with lab medicine and genomics, Kabir Mahajan, Associate Director, Mahajan Imaging & Labs said, “The future of medicine lies in early diagnosis and targeted treatments. The lab of the future would combine medical imaging with lab medicine and genomics, something that Mahajan Imaging & Labs has already ventured into through our latest facility in Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi. we will be able to predict the genetic probability of various diseases including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disease amongst others through genomics. The use of advanced lab medicine will help determine the present biological status of multiple tissues and body parts. And through imaging, both structural and functional we will be able to diagnose early serious diseases. This will also result in predictive medicine and bring in operational efficiencies which will eventually lower the cost of healthcare and better quality of life for patients. The huge amount of data from all sources would be processed by AI at the backend, which would be a routine in the lab of the future.”
Market size
Mordor Intelligence also predicts that the digital diagnostics market is poised to grow at CAGR of 17.23 per cent by 2027.
According to SPER Market Research, the India Diagnostic Laboratories Market is estimated to reach USD 44.92 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 11.75 per cent.
Dr Avinash Phadke, President and Mentor, Agilus Diagnostics explains, “India is home to one of the largest IVD markets in the Asia Pacific region and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13 per cent. The increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions, awareness of reliable diagnosis, rise in the elderly population, increasing penetration of insurance and improving per capita have all contributed to the growth of the diagnostics industry. COVID-19 has accelerated numerous existing and/or emerging healthcare trends; among them, shifting consumer preferences and behaviour, the integration of life sciences and healthcare, rapidly evolving digital health technologies, new talent and care delivery models, and clinical innovation. The future of the labs looks more and more dependent on the advent of personalised medicine, predictive testing and companion diagnostics. Gene based diagnosis will evolve from a niche field to a widely applicable technology to investigate complex diseases, and give clues for prevention and guidance for optimised and personalised treatment modalities. Genotype and phenotype correlations and interpretations require the establishment of population wide sequencing projects for Indian genomes that would help to validate genetic markers for different health conditions.”
According to Markets&Markets, the global digital pathology market is projected to reach USD 1,371 million by 2026.
On digital pathology, Dr Phadke adds, “Digital pathology that takes away the conventional microscope is a market that is also expected to grow in the near future. The possibility of providing expert diagnostics through virtual reporting or telepathology improves accessibility to better care in rural areas. AI-based software that is now largely used in tissue pathology will also move to other laboratory sections. AI also has the potential to improve accuracy, efficiency and personalised patient care.”
Sustaining the labs of future
There is a need to create a sustainable ecosystem for labs of the future, ensuring they are adequately equipped, staffed with skilled professionals and at the forefront of technological advancements. This will contribute to improved healthcare outcomes, research capabilities, and innovation in the field of diagnostics.
A strong technology backbone, paving the way for smart labs that can handle the increasing demands at greater speed and lower cost should characterise the future of diagnostic labs.
Surendran Chemmenkotil, Chief Executive Officer, Metropolis Healthcare believes that establishing a clear vision for the lab and crafting an effective strategic plan is essential. He added, “This includes identifying the lab’s goals, target market, scope of services, and long-term objectives. A well-defined strategic plan aids in decision-making, resource allocation, and long-term growth. Investing in a lab is not difficult if we do things ethically and carefully, without making needless commitments. Previously, equipment was expensive; now, with science at the forefront and technological advancements, technology integration will become more accessible and cost-efficient. These are unavoidable investments that will yield a long-term return on investment.”
Emphasising resource planning, Abhaya said, “One of the main reasons diagnostic labs in India are falling behind in their game is due to the lack of a digital infrastructure and inefficient resource planning. From computation to storage, network, and applications; digital infrastructure is the foundation for an organisation’s information technology and operations. It promotes data sharing and consumption while providing a platform for the business to operate and function. However, despite many initiatives in turning diagnostics digital, there continues to be a remarkable room for improvement.”
“Today, there’s an increasing need for more accurate and organised diagnostic services. So, in addition to a sturdy digital infrastructure, resource planning is also the need of the hour. A strategic way to ensure that all the resources are used effectively, resource planning comprises estimating, identifying, and allocating the resources needed to complete an initiative. Therefore, to ensure sustainability and keep abreast in the long run, diagnostic labs must invest in digital technologies including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT (Internet of Things). This will help organisations reduce costs and improve their operational efficiency at the same time. Access to new markets, improved accuracy, reduced turnaround time and the ability to provide quality services are the other takeaways you can expect from going digital”, he added.
Cherukuri on resource planning, and investing in data management mentions, “Ensuring effective allocation of resources is important. This includes ensuring that researchers have access to the right equipment and tools when they need them. It also includes ensuring that resources are used efficiently so that they are not wasted. Also, labs should invest in robust data management systems and analytical tools. Implementing secure and scalable data storage solutions, adopting data standards, and leveraging advanced analytics can facilitate efficient data sharing, collaboration, and decision-making.”
Creating a collaborative environment where educational institutions and industry experts can offer specialised training programs on emerging technologies will be crucial in the robust skilling of the workforce for labs of the future.
On this, Chemmenkotil mentions, “Today, skill development and enhancement are still top priorities. The quality of education, training and skill development that is taking place is too far-fetched. This is an important area of work in which institutions must begin and strive to establish a stronger, more comprehensive education system to address the limitations. While we say that automation and IT will be at the forefront, the real competence required for operations will decline. Creating the level of automation AI and administering this tool will require additional skills that the existing talent does not have. If we have to go into the industry to acquire talent for lab planning, we will focus on how to build lab lean concepts and create standard quality systems. There is a resource shortage, and these are opportunities for improvement. As a result, there is a need to optimise the lab planning process, which will entail automating certain processes, establishing better tools and systems to speed the process, and training existing personnel to become more productive.”
Abhaya also reiterates, “I believe digital technology is of no use if there are no skilled professionals to lead the show. Balance is the key! Both need to work in tandem as machines and technology are meant to ease human work and minimise errors of all sorts. This means, investing in a skilled workforce is equally important alongside investing in cutting-edge technology. Like how you upgrade technology and related services from time to time, it’s vital you take the initiatives to upscale the skills of your professionals. With this, there’s nothing that can hold you back from staying ahead in the competition and also ensuring complete satisfaction of your customers”
Brar shares, “Since a lot of the lab work would be decentralised in the future, ensuring quality control and technological monitoring and data management would be critical. The future would also call for a robust customer support team that helps with customer education and enablement. Finally, labs should be investing in technological infrastructure that would support the new reality including AI and ML that would learn from the vast amount of data and provide improved reporting and interpretation based on it. Labs will also have to think of investment categories that were not prevalent in the past – for instance, telemedicine infrastructure, data scientists, systems and personnel for STAT delivery of cartridges to home. Will this increase the overall cost of diagnostics for the consumer? I don’t believe so, for we will also see a reduction in costs associated with the brick-and-mortar assets.”
“The laboratory of the future will look more like an Apple Store than a chemistry outfit. The phlebotomist of the future will act more like a customer service personnel – educating the consumer – than a blood-draw technician. The lab report of the future will look more like a guide to behavior change than a number dump. And these transformations will require a fundamental shift in how we think of the three P’s-People, Processes, and Products.”
According to Dr Phadke, “One of the other aspects that we need to look at is the sustainability of labs. Labs of the future have to be green, where they measure their carbon footprint and are able to dispose of their waste in a manner that it does not harm the planet. We all very well know the impact that climate crises have on health. As responsible healthcare organisations, we need the plan to reduce our footprint, be ready to protect our infrastructure from climate risks and also have the plan to tackle health conditions that may arise due to future climate concerns.”
Advantages to be offered by futuristic labs
Futuristic diagnostic labs will enhance the capabilities of professionals and will enable them to perform complex tests with more precision and efficiency.
They are expected to considerably benefit both diagnostic experts and patients as well as improve overall healthcare quality. Professionals not only save time but also boost their productivity as the labs operate 24/7, enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Sharing his opinion, Ray said, “For professionals, writing is clearly on the wall. The ones who will adopt technology will benefit tremendously. The ones, who will not, will have to change sectors or move to lower skill jobs that pay less. With growing per capita income, what follows next is increased health activism and, in some cases, over-diagnosis by patients themselves. Annual health check-up is going to be the norm and doctors will only practice evidence-based medicine all the time. All of this calls for a massive explosion of diagnostics as an industry. Do not be surprised if the diagnostic sector simply multiplies itself 4 times in the next 5 to 7 years. In an industry of that size, harnessing technology skills, diagnostics professionals of the future will be highly productive compared to today’s levels and commensurate with that, they would be paid handsomely.”
“Of course, the reverse will happen too, a lot of basic mundane jobs will become self-mode by patients themselves like web-checking in airlines or they will be performed by AI. Overall, for high-skilled professionals, it will be a great time. For patients, healthcare will also become an aspect of life that will be under complete control of an individual which is quite a departure from even a few years ago. Staying healthy and remaining healthy will largely be a choice. Generative medicine and lifestyle-genetics backed by precision-diagnostics led personalised-medicine will make the mankind of the future conquer their own health”, he added.
Mahajan adds, “The biggest advantage that we foresee is that diseases would be diagnosed much earlier resulting in optimal treatment outcomes and eventually better quality of life for the patient. Treatment decisions would also be personalised for each patient based on the genetic profile and past personal & family history, a dramatic shift from the one size fits all approach. Other advantages would be in the form of more affordable and access to diagnostics especially in the smaller cities and towns of India.”
Talking about streamlined workflow and access to advanced testing technology, Dr Dang explains, “Automation and robotics streamline laboratory workflows, reducing manual labor and repetitive tasks. This allows professionals to focus on more complex and critical aspects of diagnostics, enhancing their productivity and job satisfaction. Futuristic labs provide professionals with access to cutting-edge testing technologies such as next-generation sequencing, digital pathology, and microfluidics. These technologies offer higher sensitivity, specificity, and faster results, enabling comprehensive and precise analysis of samples.”
Way forward
By implementing and adopting emerging technologies in diagnostic labs, India can offer top-notch outcomes in terms of efficiency, accuracy and quality of lab processes which will lead to better patient care, diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. However, streamlining the resource planning, investments and collaborations in this direction will be important.
Kalyani.sharma@expressindia.com
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