Although there is still uncertainty in the healthcare industry concerning the shift in the way care is provided and certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Aegis Health Group has identified six developments that are having a major influence on the healthcare industry.
Here are the key developments identified by Aegis.
1. The innovation movement. This involves the healthcare industry "embracing innovative strategies to address key hospital challenges," according to Aegis. This movement involves collaboration between important stakeholders, including researchers and healthcare leaders.
2. Next generation physician-relationship management. "This is about taking a hospital's physician engagement to the next level," according to Aegis. With data analytics, hospitals can now view physicians' "precise referral habits and leakage." In addition, this technology gives hospitals the information needed to not only increase service line growth but to also make better future practice investments.
3. Achieving a productive balance. Although the healthcare industry is shifting, "healthcare organizations are realizing ways to optimize the balance between fee-for-service and pay-for-performance as they live in two worlds at once," according to Aegis. Striking a balance is necessary to ensure organizations are effectively operating in the current environment and prepared for an integrated delivery environment.
4. Wellness is gaining popularity. Health systems across the nation are embracing wellness programs and are working with targeted populations such as local employers to become "trusted partners to which local residents should turn for education and support, creating preference for their services and programs," according to Aegis.
5. Population health 2.0. Almost all healthcare providers have recognized population health as an important element to success in a value-based care environment. "In 2015 we expect more hospitals to make investments in consumer-directed technologies that put their population health programs at the fingertips of local consumers," said Phil Suiter, president and CEO of Aegis.
6. The age of consumerism. Consumer engagement is playing an increasingly vital role in the healthcare industry, and healthcare organizations are beginning to look at the healthcare experience from the patient point of view. "As an industry, we must communicate with consumers in a way that is personal, engaging and actionable if we are to expect them to adopt a healthier lifestyle," said Mr. Suiter.
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