The healthcare system in the United States is facing significant changes, from healthcare reform and the Accountable Care Act to advances in electronic connectivity. Healthcare professionals will have to adapt in order to survive the fluctuating landscape. A Becker’s Hospital Review article, “10 Disruptive Forces in Healthcare,” outlines these forces as well as their implications for those working in the healthcare industry.

These ten disruptive forces include:

    1. Higher quality care at lower reimbursement rates: Hospitals are now providing higher quality preemptive care that is also more affordable.  Rather than focusing solely on acute care, hospitals must establish protocols for population health management.
    2. Higher patient volume at lower reimbursement rates: Most systems must cut twenty to forty percent in order to maximize profits.  Providing more facilities in a community can help as the new system aims to make healthcare more accessible to the population while lowering costs.
  1. Caring for an entire population rather than individuals: The Affordable Care Act mandates that insurers provide coverage for preventative services such as annual physicals.  The current focus on medicine is much more proactive than reactive.
  2. Advances in Health Information Technology (HIT): Health records are now kept primarily online which allows for easy clinical integration. Physicians and hospitals are able to work together to create effective patient care.
  3. Introduction of Digital Health Tools: Telemedicine has become more accepted and increasing numbers of patients are being diagnosed remotely.  Digital health tools also allow patients to be more involved in managing their own health.
  4. Shifting Demographics:  Providers must be able to provide appropriate care to a variety of ages, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses.
  5. Projected Provider Shortages: More care is now being administered by care providers than doctors.  Potential shortages mean that is in important to match each patient to the provider that best suits their needs.
  6. More Informed/Involved Patients: Providers should partner with patients to help them follow a care plan, especially with post-acute care needs.  Patients have more access to a variety of medical opinions and can use the internet to find consensus from other patients about the best practices.
  7. Increasing Government Regulation: Not only is there a slower and more complex FDA approval process, but the FDA is also considering regulating healthcare IT systems.
  8. Limited Availability of Capital: The seemingly unpredictability of government regulation had led to less investment in the healthcare field.  This has created financial difficulties for some hospitals.

These disruptive forces in healthcare point to a greater shift towards proactive care, lower reimbursements and technological advances which will continue to shape the American healthcare system.

What do you think of these disruptive forces? Do you think these forces will help or hurt the industry in the long run?

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