Trend Worthy: 7 Healthcare Trends for 2019 You Need To Follow
The Delta Companies, sister company to Accountable Healthcare Staffing, takes a look at some of the innovation and changes expected to impact the industry. While 2018 saw a rise in telemedicine, the introduction of many new pharmaceuticals, advanced cybersecurity for electronic health records, and technological advances that put robotics in the operating room, the new year promises to be even more active.
Here are seven trends experts expect will impact the healthcare industry in 2019.
#1:
Mining the Value from Value-based Models
Forbes reports
that by the end of the year, up to 15 percent of global spending in healthcare
will be on value-based or outcome-based care. This is a shift from the existing
economic model and reflects the ongoing effort to focus on the results from
specific medical treatments.
#2:
Enhanced Patient Experiences
As the industry moves to an outcome-based approach, ensuring patients have the
best experience possible will be a priority. HealthTech
reports that patients have new demands that are prompting “health systems to
continue developing digital health tools that can be enable and engage patients
in their own care journey.” These tools include electronic health records and
streamlined facility websites that easily enable patients to book appointments
online or pay a bill.
#3:
Increased Information and Data sharing
Sharing data among providers leads to efficiencies, economies of scale, and the
potential to better deliver patient care. In 2019, HealthTech
reports we can expect to see more programs and
applications come to market that will enable data sharing (including electronic
health records) among disparate providers.
#4:
The Reality of Artificial Intelligence
Providers have ramped up their use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist
with surgeries and procedures and to help identify certain conditions. Forbes reports
that in 2019, AI will be a $1.9 billion market and be used for imaging
diagnostics, risk analytics, and drug discovery.
Experts interviewed for Becker’s Hospital Review said that AI-enhanced virtual care will also ramp up to help provide personalized advice and care. One expert said that while AI won’t replace humans, it will help to automate tasks to streamline diagnoses and decision making.
#5:
Voice-Assisted Healthcare
A growing number of consumers are purchasing voice assistant devices from tech
giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google to handle tasks like information seeking
or retail purchases. In 2019, voice technologies are also expected to play an
important role in healthcare, according to
Forbes, particularly with clinical use for chronic
condition management and elderly care.
#6:
Lifestyle Leads Insurance Coverage
Forbes reports
that some insurance companies are attempting to personalize benefits to
policyholders and reduce their claims costs by providing data-driven healthcare
services. As such, Forbes predicts up to 10 percent of health insurance plans
will be linked to the customer’s lifestyle. With this customized approach,
insurance agencies can personalize premiums and discounts.
#7:
Remote Patient Monitoring
Mobile-enabled remote patient monitoring will continue to gain traction this
year, according to Becker’s
Hospital Review. This comes as little surprise since
smart phone device ownership continues to quickly climb from year to year.