The healthcare industry has remained relatively the same even in the face of digital transformation and wider societal change. For example, most doctors still use pagers which were first invented in 1928! However, during COVID-19, the entire healthcare system was put to the test. In many parts of the country, essential equipment such as ventilators and N95 masks were running low. Doctors and nurses were working overtime but they were denied hazard pay. Many challenges during this time revealed intricate flaws within the system. There is bound to be massive reform in the industry following the pandemic.
Systematic changes to the once rigid healthcare process will occur
COVID-19 has affected Americans on many levels, but US healthcare has been directly reeling from the impact. The pandemic forced health care organizations to prioritize leadership, increase hospital staff to reduce burnout, and adopt a more successful model to avoid another long-term fallout.
Telehealth might become the next big innovative move in healthcare
Telehealth is the ability to connect with doctors and medical personnel through the use of technology rather than physical visits to their offices. During the pandemic, it was the default option for most patients. Due to its effectiveness and ease, it is likely to become a permanent part of the healthcare landscape.
The public health sector will be more heavily emphasized in the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused just about every country to go on lockdown. The volumes of public health data and transmission preventative measures have become the responsibility of a few public health workers. This has shown the flaw in the healthcare system and in the future, it is likely that the public health sector will be more heavily emphasized. More people will join this sector in the upcoming decade.
America is facing a shortage of physicians, which is predicted to grow in future decades. The intensive course of education and training they have to pursue combined with financial and social challenges has dissuaded many from entering the field. By remedying these factors, there will be more doctors. The COVID-19 pandemic has especially highlighted how important it is to have more doctors in the healthcare system.
The fee-for-service healthcare model might be replaced with universal healthcare
The American healthcare system relies on a large swath of the population to maintain employment. However, with unemployment numbers hitting highs unseen since The Great Depression, calls for public, government-funded healthcare are getting louder.
Many hospitals and clinics might face moderate to severe financial hardships
During COVID-19, hospitals began to make massive equipment purchases. Ventilators, an increase in ICU facilities, protective gear, and overtime payments for all healthcare personnel added up to become hefty sums for the healthcare industry. In the aftermath of the pandemic, many hospitals and clinics are going to face financial challenges and might need government intervention.
Health centers might need government funds to keep their doors open
The pandemic is taking a financial toll on the healthcare industry, and hospitals will need government funding to keep them above water. Before the pandemic, there were quite a number of elective admissions or people who opted to go to hospitals for non-threatening issues or optional procedures. This number has been declining and hospitals are losing money.
Efforts to reduce expenses in clinics and small hospitals will be taken
As the COVID-19 pandemic makes funds and resources scarce in the United States, hospitals and clinics must make restrictive efforts to conserve resources and continue running.
The fitness and wellness markets within the healthcare industry will make huge profits
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people's lifestyles evolved into idle and unhealthy ones. With the increased emphasis on healthcare, there will also be a lot more attention diverted towards exercising, eating healthy, and staying safe. Most Americans, regardless of their affiliation with healthcare, will actively participate in these markets.
Healthy living initiatives will be implemented in workplaces
Many Americans have grown aware of their lack of healthy living. In an effort to improve employee retention and increase worker productivity, many workplaces have begun to make wellness changes to their workspaces. They will become huge clients for the services offered by these wellness markets.
