Perceived Current and Future Levels of Digital Technology Application in the Health and Social Welfare Sectors

Abstract

In the few years since the outbreak of COVID-19, digital transformation has been unfolding in earnest with the spread of remote interactions and contactless culture, with the biotechnology sector gaining ground. Additionally, science and technology policies have been announced to turn the massive environmental changes and crises that emerged after COVID-19 into opportunities. Digital technology is being developed and applied in response to the changing environment of the times. The discussion in this article is based on a survey we conducted of health and welfare experts as well as science and technology experts with a view to understanding the extent to which digital technologies are used in health and welfare policies. Although the experts' perceptions of the current level and future significance of digital technology in the health and welfare sectors varied across different policy areas, there was a general tendency to perceive digital technology as more significant in its application than it is now.