Transformational trends shaping healthcare in the region
Across Latin America, several powerful trends are reshaping the delivery of care. Three forces in particular stand out as critical drivers of change.
1. Telehealth 2.0: from pandemic response to integrated care
The adoption of telehealth across Latin America has been remarkable. What began as a necessary response to the pandemic is now evolving into a permanent and integrated part of the healthcare ecosystem. The telehealth market in the region is projected to exceed US $22 billion by 2030, signalling a permanent shift in how patients and providers interact.
This move toward “Telehealth 2.0” creates hybrid workflows that blend virtual and in-person services. Brazil is at the forefront, with a strong legal framework supporting telemedicine and e-prescriptions. However, rapid growth presents a challenge: how do we ensure the quality and consistency of care when it’s delivered virtually, across countless individual encounters? Preventing errors across settings is a top priority for health leaders.
2. Workforce disequilibrium: the clinician shortage and burnout crisis
It is no secret that Latin America faces a significant shortage of healthcare workers. The World Health Organization projects a 10 million worker shortfall globally by 2030, a gap that is felt acutely in our region. In countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, the nurse-to-physician ratio is well below the OECD average, placing great strain on existing staff.
This disequilibrium is not just about numbers; it’s about skill distribution and burnout. Experienced specialists are often concentrated in urban centers, leaving primary care and rural facilities to rely on less experienced staff. For clinicians everywhere, the cognitive load is immense, leading to high rates of burnout and staff turnover—a costly problem for any health system.
3. Chronic diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Like many regions, Latin America is grappling with a rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension now represent a major challenge, accounting for a significant portion of healthcare expenditure. And antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical public health threat, with resistance rates for certain bacteria climbing to alarming levels in countries like Brazil.
This dual pressure is forcing hospital leaders to find new ways to manage resources effectively. With budgets under strain, there is a clear need for data-driven stewardship. The challenge is to optimize treatment and control costs without compromising patient outcomes, a goal that requires deep insight into clinical practice patterns.
Introducing UpToDate Enterprise Edition
We’re delighted to officially launch UpToDate® Enterprise Edition in Latin America to help address these challenges. UpToDate Enterprise Edition is more than an information resource; it’s a strategic tool designed to help healthcare organizations navigate these complex trends. It empowers both clinical and non-clinical users with the evidence and insights needed to build a more efficient, effective, and sustainable health system.
1. AI-enhanced search for faster, more confident decisions
For clinicians working in fast-paced environments getting to the right answer quickly is critical. UpToDate Enterprise Edition features a powerful, AI-enhanced search that understands natural language. A doctor can ask a multi-faceted question and receive a precise, evidence-based answer in seconds.
This capability helps standardize care quality across all settings by giving every clinician access to the same trusted expertise. By reducing the time spent searching for information, it also helps to lessen the cognitive burden on our clinical workforce, improving confidence and reducing the risk of burnout.
2. Advanced analytics for data-driven leadership
While clinicians need answers, hospital executives need data to make strategic decisions. The analytics portal in UpToDate Enterprise Edition provides leaders with a system-wide view of clinical activity. You can identify trends in drug and condition searches, spot knowledge gaps among staff, and benchmark your organization’s patterns against others.
For example, a hospital director can use the portal to see which antibiotics are most frequently researched, providing data to support an antimicrobial stewardship program. Or identify areas where junior staff are seeking guidance most often, allowing for targeted training and mentorship. These insights turn clinical usage data into actionable intelligence for improving operational efficiency, managing costs, and supporting quality and compliance initiatives.
3. A trusted partner in a new era of healthcare
For over 30 years, UpToDate has been a trusted partner to the global medical community. UpToDate Enterprise Edition extends this legacy with tools designed for the interconnected nature of modern healthcare, including our new generative AI functionality UpToDate Expert AI. Organizations with Enterprise Edition can test our GenAI interface through our AI Labs (limited to 5 users and non-point of care use).
With UpToDate Enterprise Edition, health systems gain a partner that helps them deliver better care today while building a sustainable and data-driven foundation for the future.
See UpToDate Enterprise Edition in action
UpToDate Enterprise Edition offers capabilities that address our region’s most pressing challenges. It’s a solution designed to connect care teams, optimize operations, and elevate the quality of care across the diverse environments that define Latin America.
If you’d like to see how UpToDate Enterprise Edition can support your organization, we invite you to contact us to schedule a demo.
