Stay Informed, Stay Healthy:
Here’s 7 Changes in Healthcare That Everyone in the Industry Should Know About
The healthcare industry is one of the biggest employers in the United States. In fact, more than 18 million people currently work in the industry, and that number is expected to grow quite a bit over the next few years.
Do you work in the healthcare industry right now? Would you like to be part of it in the future?
Either way, it’s a good idea for you to stay aware of all the ways that the industry is growing and changing.
Read on to learn about some of the most important changes in healthcare that are taking place right now or will take place in the near future.
1. Technological Advancements
One of the biggest ways that we’re seeing the healthcare industry change right now is in the emphasis professionals place on technological advancements.
Hospitals and doctor’s offices are working hard to become more tech-savvy. As a result, they’re making a lot of significant improvements as a result.
In most offices and healthcare centers these days, you’ll see lots of new tech being used.
This includes having patients check themselves in and fill out forms using tablets instead of pens and paper. Doctors are also relying more on digital monitoring and measuring devices.
Healthcare professionals are also making use of wearable tracking devices and apps to better monitor their patients outside of the office. There are lots of apps and tools they can use to monitor activity and health markers like blood pressure and insulin levels.
2. Rise of For-Profit Companies
There’s been a shift recently in the number of for-profit healthcare facilities popping up throughout the country.
Thanks to changes in healthcare policies and rising healthcare costs, many practices are shifting to this approach to provide more and better benefits to their employees.
Being able to provide more for their employees, in turn, also allows employees to provide their patients with a higher quality of care in many cases.
3. ACA Changes
It wouldn’t be a list of healthcare industry changes without mention of changes being made to the Affordable Care Act (or ACA).
There have been some significant changes to the ACA over the last few years since President Trump took office, and more changes are likely on their way.
The ACA might not ever be repealed altogether (despite Trump’s promises). However, it’s still likely going to go through a lot of changes in the future, and it’s important for healthcare workers and consumers to stay informed about these changes.
This isn’t an easy feat (some insurance brokers say that the rules are changing every couple of months). The more informed you are, though, the easier it will be to help your patients and know whether you yourself are covered.
4. New Payment Options
On a more positive note, payment systems are changing for the better throughout doctor’s offices and hospitals across the country.
In the near future, it’ll be much easier for you to pay your bills and know why you’re paying the amount that you are.
In response to complaints from consumers about how complicated payment systems can be, healthcare workers are doing their best to simplify these processes and relieve the headaches (literal and metaphorical) they cause their patients.
This includes streamlined payments and online options that speed things up for everyone involved.
5. More Access to Care
Healthcare centers are also working hard to make care accessible to a larger group of people.
One of the ways they’re doing this is by increasing access to physicians via video chat.
For those who are too busy to come to the doctor’s office in person, they can receive diagnoses and get prescriptions for common ailments while chatting with their physician from the comfort of their own home.
There’s also been an increase in concierge medical centers that can cater more easily to patients’ specific needs and schedules.
6. Improved Patient Experience
Making medicine more accessible in one major way healthcare professionals are working to improve the patient experience.
There are lots of other steps they’re taking, though, from improving the waiting room experience to simplifying payment processes.
Many doctor’s offices are starting to offer online scheduling, too, to help busy patients schedule appointments without having to call in and wait to talk to a receptionist.
There’s also been an increase in the number of call centers for the healthcare industry throughout the country.
Call centers can allow patients to get the assistance they need sooner, whether they need help with billing questions, scheduling issues, or anything else related to their medical care.
7. Focus on Population Health
Healthcare professionals are also starting to focus more on population health.
This means that they’re focusing on the health outcomes for all the patients within a health system.
It also includes looking for specific ways in which they can improve the quality of life and overall health of different populations. This might include senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses like diabetes.
There are lots of different steps physicians and medical experts are taking to improve population health.
For example, they’re looking into social and environmental factors that influence health. They’re also looking at ways to prevent disease instead of focusing only on treating it.
These kinds of practices can yield a better ROI and help everyone involved to save money.
Learn About More Changes in Healthcare Today
As you can see, there are a lot of changes in healthcare that are taking place or will be taking place soon.
If you work in the industry, it’s important to know about these changes so you can stay informed about how your job might change moving forward.
Staying informed about these changes is helpful for those who want to work in the industry, too. It helps them to learn about new healthcare-related careers they might want to pursue.
If you’re interested in learning about other changes taking place in the healthcare industry, be sure to check back here on a regular basis.
We’re always updating our site with the latest news, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed on how the industry is growing and developing.
