The Healthcare industry has shifted its focus and become more patient-oriented. From valuing the time of patients to providing them with effective care, the evolution is coming. The basis of this transformation is necessarily in incorporating technological interventions that make life easier, both for patients and providers.

Although masses have suddenly begun acknowledging the existence of some of these trends, they have been around for a while. The pandemic only brought to light its widespread necessity and consequent acceptance, which was long overdue. It is via the adoption of these trends that the face of healthcare has changed in terms of providing quality care to the patients. Let’s see the five trends that will be dominating the industry in 2021.

1.      Changing Dynamics of Customer Needs

With the expansion of the medical industry and so many providers to opt for, customers have changed the way they look at healthcare. Their expectations are one of the prominent reasons as to why the industry needs to evolve constantly to promote personalized care, speed, and convenience.

They need providers to be on their toes constantly to cater to their demands. Presently, if they do not get a quick response to a customer care query, they are going to hop on to their next best option. Statistics show that 90% of customers need immediate response and by immediate they do not mean you to exceed 10 minutes.

Furthermore, patients earlier would wait to get appointments from specific doctors, but millennials these days have no time for that. It has become a matter of convenience completely. If you are operating as per their needs, you will stay relevant longer.

2.      No Substitute for Digitalization

In a market that has become so competitive, especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, you need an additional edge to stay on the top. That can happen only with digitalization. Customers these days want a more convenient experience, wherein they can schedule appointments online, track their record, send health updates, etc.

They want to have better control and access healthcare, which is a necessity, from the comforts of their home. It also promotes customer engagement by constantly sending updates, information, and so on.

Your digital presence should at least have the following features to create an impact-

·         Appointment scheduling

·         Healthcare costs quote

·         Health plan reviewing

·         Online consultation

·         Tracking health parameters  

·         Medication refilling

3.      Hybridity in Care

Striking a balance between the old and the new, providers are now adapting to the hybrid model of providing care. For illnesses that are less severe and can work based on online consultation, customers are opting for telehealth. This not only helps them access the medical industry conveniently, but also saves them the time they spend in waiting rooms. With the pandemic at hand, it has been a viable and safe option to promote social distancing.

Seeing the development of telehealth, the US in the future could be spending 20% or $250 billion of their healthcare expense. Virtual care options are here to stay and will only continue expanding. The focus of providers should be on promoting the quality and satisfaction from this format. Newer technologies will only lead to upgradation of what we have now.

4.      Sharing Healthcare Data

Another remarkable trend that will change the face of the industry is the sharing of patient data in order to be able to track the entire medical history. This leads to better understanding of the current situation including prominent health determinants.

Even patient involvement has greatly increased with easy accessing of data over their smartphones or other gadgets. The exchange of data or interoperability will remarkably increase between patients, providers, and health tech developers.

The ultimate goal with this step is to have a health map of patients to enhance care quality.

5.      Big Data/ Data Management

The amount of data the healthcare industry produces each day is hard to fathom. And to be able to manage it is beyond human limits. As per the report published by an organization, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data is being produced across the world each day.

However, with the help of data management units, this has become an easy task. The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and predictive analysis has further eased the process of helping critical patients on priority basis. Medical institutions are using Clouds to store their data, securely and conveniently.

Summarizing

Healthcare industry is currently evolving at an unsurpassable rate and technology has the biggest role to play in it. In this glorious evolutionary phase of the industry, certain trends are going to be a must for providers. The extent will be such that the adaptation to these trends will determine their relevance in the industry.