How are digital platforms affecting the accessibility of healthcare services?

The healthcare industry has traditionally lagged in adopting technology, contributing to rising costs, limited accessibility, and ongoing challenges in affordability. This study explores how digital platforms can transform healthcare by reducing the friction in transactions and facilitate increase in the depth and width of accessibility of healthcare services. Using a qualitative research approach, we applied Gioia's method to identify emerging patterns and aggregate dimensions leading to formulation of a robust theoretical framework. We used dynamic capability and an ecosystem lens to investigate our research inquiry. Our research indicates that digital platforms enhance healthcare accessibility by ensuring last-mile delivery, reducing friction, ensuring symmetrical information dissemination, personalizing information, and facilitating remote diagnosis. Platform players' ability to reconfigure capabilities at speed and scale and offer services never imagined have begun to show green shoots in healthcare. While these platforms offer significant opportunities, strategic implementation and adaptation are essential. Policymakers, practitioners, and providers must collaborate to ensure effective use and integration. Our conceptual framework bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications, offering new insights for future research.