ISRAEL Law and Practice Contributed by: Alexandra Cohen and Eran Bareket, Gilat, Bareket & Co., Reinhold Cohn Group
telehealth, telemedicine, mobile health, data research projects and remote patient monitor- ing. Telemedicine services are common, includ- ing remote consultations via video and the use of handheld diagnostic tools such as TytoHome, a device provided by Clalit that includes diag- nostic tools (eg, stethoscope, otoscope, ther- mometer) that can be used at home along with a smartphone app and smart video call, allowing doctors to remotely perform a live examination and provide a diagnosis, treatment notes and any referrals or prescriptions. The TytoHome kit allows for detailed health readings on criti- cal areas of the body, such as the heart, lungs, ears, throat, abdomen and skin, as well as heart rate and body temperature. Other examples of remote monitoring tools include SHL’s CardioSen’C, a portable device that monitors heart activity and can communi- cate the results instantaneously to a cardiolo- gist. In addition, Maccabi has introduced KAI, an AI-powered psychological support assistant available 24/7 via WhatsApp, providing patients therapeutic support while awaiting professional care. Mobile health platforms such as Clalit’s “Active” app promote lifestyle and wellness tracking, empowering patients to take a more proactive role in their health. 1.3 Benefits of Digital Healthcare Digital healthcare offers significant advantages by improving patient outcomes, enhancing the work of healthcare professionals and contribut- ing to cost efficiency. For patients, digital tools such as mobile apps, wearable devices and remote monitoring improve access to care, pro- mote wellness and enable real-time tracking of health data. These technologies reduce the need
for in-person visits and support early detection and preventative care. For healthcare professionals, digital platforms enhance clinical decision-making through AI- driven decision support systems and big data analytics, and advanced imaging tools powered by computer vision. These technologies improve diagnostic accuracy, enable personalised treat- ment plans and streamline workflows by reduc- ing administrative burdens and improving infor- mation sharing via electronic medical records. In recent years, computer vision has increasingly been applied to medical imaging and is now used in various clinical settings to support the interpretation of X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and other diagnostic images. As outlined in the Israeli Ministry of Health’s “Guide for Economic Evaluation of Digital Health Services” from March 2024, these technologies should also be assessed through a structured cost-effectiveness framework. The guide under- scores that economic evaluation is essential for determining the true value of digital interventions and for ensuring efficient resource allocation in healthcare. It promotes the adoption of digital solutions that deliver measurable health benefits relative to their cost, helping decision makers prioritise investments that maximise both health outcomes and financial sustainability. Digital healthcare also has the potential to lower healthcare costs by preventing hospitalisations, avoiding redundant tests and enabling more effi- cient resource use.
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