The Top Healthcare Pain Points and How to Address Them in 2023
It is no secret that the healthcare industry is facing many challenges. From rising costs to an aging population, health organizations are under pressure like never before.
We will take a look at the top healthcare pain points and how they can be addressed in 2023. By understanding the challenges that health organizations are currently facing, better strategies can be developed to overcome them and provide the best care that patients are seeking.
How do we heal the health pain points as stress still exists in the Healthcare System?
Existing pain points continue to persist
1. Rising healthcare costs
One of the biggest pain points for health organizations is the rising cost of healthcare. Now over $4 Trillion, and rising 10% a year, healthcare spending is nearly 20% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. With the increasing cost of drugs, treatments, and services, health budgets are being strained.
To address this issue, health organizations need to find ways to cut costs without compromising care. Without proper evaluation, new technologies can be costly. The key is to gauge its impact on care delivery.
Some health systems have been able to cut costs by streamlining their operations. Others have reduced costs by negotiating better deals with suppliers. In some cases, health organizations have been able to save money by making changes to their benefit plans.
No matter what approach is taken, the goal should be to find ways to reduce healthcare costs without compromising the quality of care that patients receive.
2. Patient dissatisfaction
Patients are dissatisfied with the present state of healthcare – 84 percent agree that it is broken, and a large majority believe it is getting worse.
Patients’ top two concerns are trust and not being heard. If they don’t feel these needs are met, they’re likely to be dissatisfied with their experience. When patients are unhappy with their care, they may seek treatment elsewhere. This can lead to health organizations losing revenue and patients.
Building trust by communicating effectively and establishing relationships with patients is essential to addressing this issue. Patients need to feel like they are being heard and that their concerns are being addressed. When health organizations take the time to listen to their patients, it can go a long way in ensuring patient satisfaction.
3. Lack of access to quality care
Lack of access to quality care is a major issue in healthcare. When patients cannot get the care they need, it can lead to serious health consequences. This is why health organizations need to find ways to provide better access to care.
Getting appointments and access to quality care can be a challenge. According to a recent survey, 42 percent of patients said they had difficulty getting an appointment with their doctor. In addition, 38 percent of patients said they had trouble getting access to quality care.
There are numerous ways that health organizations can improve patient access to care. Some methods include providing more convenient care options, such as extended hours, walk-in appointments, and telehealth services. Another way to improve access to care is by making it easier for patients to schedule appointments with their doctors.
5. Aging population
The aging population is another healthcare pain point. As the population ages, health organizations need to find ways to provide care for this demographic.
One way to address this issue is by investing in geriatric care. By increasing access to geriatric care, health organizations can ensure that older patients are getting the care they need.
6. Limited resources
Limited resources are another big issue. When health organizations do not have enough resources, it can lead to a decrease in care quality.
While some health organizations are finding ways to increase their funding by holding fundraisers and donations, others are just being acquired. Because of the trend of acquisitions to control costs, CMS is now tracking this data.
What are some solutions to health pain points?
There are a few ways:
– Improved health literacy among patients
– A focus on preventive care and health promotion
– Reducing administrative for health providers
– Encouraging interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration
New pain points and hopefully new solutions
Addressing the pain points through technology
The health industry is evolving and with that comes new opportunities to address some of the healthcare pain points. One way that technology can help is by providing better access to care.
Sure there will be pain points with the adoption of new technologies, but eventually, the health industry will adapt and overcome them. Technology is our friend because it helps us solve problems.
Digital
Remote health tools can also help patients manage their health. By using apps, software, and wearable devices, patients can track their health data and make lifestyle changes to improve their health.
Technology can also help health organizations cut costs. By investing in automation and AI, health organizations can reduce the amount of time and money spent on administrative tasks.
Big Tech is taking steps to address
Big tech companies took new steps to increase their market opportunity in healthcare…
• Facebook – They’re working on a new preventative health product in the United States, as well as a provider search tool to help consumers find cheap care in their communities. Meanwhile, the VR team at Oculus is collaborating with teaching hospitals on the development of VR-based medical education applications.
• Apple – Of course, the company didn’t stop at hardware; it also updated Watch and iOS to capture even more health metrics, including blood oxygen level. In addition, a data-sharing feature was created so users can share medical data with providers. Finally, the launch of a subscription-based streaming platform offers exercise classes.
• Microsoft – Microsoft spent $19.7 billion to buy Nuance, a leader in conversational AI for healthcare. The firm also introduced Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, a tech stack for large healthcare organizations that incorporates artificial intelligence, automation, and low-code app creation.
• Google – launched a camera-based diagnosis tool, which employs AI to identify skin problems. The firm also introduced an EHR search service for providers, as well as an interoperability solution for clients and a return-to-work test and trace program for businesses.
• Amazon – Amazon has recently acquired One Medical, as well as created Amazon Pharmacy, which are consumer-focused healthcare services. AWS for Health is a collection of tools designed to help businesses conduct data analysis in the healthcare sector.
These initiatives show that big tech companies are committed to finding ways to improve healthcare. By working with health organizations, they can help make healthcare more efficient and provide better care for patients.
Implications for 2023 and beyond
Key considerations
If we don’t address these health pain points now, they will only get worse in the future. It’s important to find ways to address these issues so that we can provide better care for patients and improve the overall health of our population.
Technology has a role to play in addressing some of the main healthcare pain points. By providing better access to care and investing in digital health tools, we can make a difference. However, we need to do more than just rely on technology.
We must prioritize preventive care and health promotion, as well as reduce tedious administrative tasks for healthcare providers. The chronic shortage of healthcare workers and the rate of burnout will remain problems unless action is taken.
Increasing interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration is also key to finding solutions to the many issues affecting our health today. Some potential alternatives could be…
- Virtual health assistants
- Blockchain for health data
- AI-enabled diagnosis and treatment
- Telemedicine services
These are just a few ideas but I’m sure there are many more out there. We need to be innovative and think outside the box if we want to address these issues.
Wrap Up
The health pain points are numerous and complex. However, by taking action now and investing in new technologies, we can make a difference. We need to work together to find solutions that will improve the health of our population and make healthcare more efficient. We can only mitigate contemporary health issues by working together.
