RamaOnHealthcare February 29, 2024
Barbara Duffy, DHSc, MPH, RN, CPHQ
According to a recent document by Deloitte entitled “The Dawn of a New Health CEO,” Consumers will soon determine the journey to their Health and Care. Within this article, Deloitte describes the profound impact artificial intelligence, virtual health, and retail health will have upon the disruption of meeting the demands, expectations, and outcomes of healthcare Consumers.
Knowledge and data provide Consumers with decision-making power.
Within this transformation, the Consumer assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer of their personal health journey, and Healthcare Providers add the title of “Coach and Advisor” to their resume.
The evolving healthcare landscape is driven by three elements:
- Shifting decision ownership,
- Generative AI, and
- Access and possession of data.
The line between Consumer and Provider is morphing as nearly half of the patients surveyed indicate they are using Generative AI for health inquiries. Access to knowledge and decision-making empowers Consumers to act on their preferences.
There are also growing Consumer phases evolving regarding future health from:
- Utilization of information regarding current, minor healthcare needs, to
- Savvy Consumer inquiries that disrupt and impact general care, and
- Universal personalization and equity of millions of healthcare Consumers maintaining their health.
Personal Health and Care management is becoming an open universe of democratization, ease, transparency, information, and personal data.
As exceptional potential replaces a long-established healthcare system, Generative AI, virtual health, and retail health will drive disruption that rapidly responds to diverse consumer needs, demands, and expectations.
The shift of knowledge and decision-making power permits healthcare Consumers to act on their own preferences.
Within this changing scenario, Clinicians evolve from dominant figures in healthcare to that of coaches motivating, inspiring, and optimizing Health and Care for informed Consumers via patient-specific data and personal insights. Practicing at a level of increased Consumer personalization, Clinicians support the strengths, weaknesses, unique challenges, needs and goals of the individual.
As industry adjustment and Consumer demand mature, ecosystems will likely evolve to shift the risk, cost, health, and care decisions to the Consumer.
Despite clinical care driving only approximately 20% of health outcomes, it also consumes increasing resources.
More time, attention, and resources should be directed towards Health rather than Care.
Wearable devices, such as a smartwatch, or fitness tracker, also helps individuals manage their health and wellness. Individual improved behavior modification positively impacts the well-being within demographics and communities.
Identify Social Drivers of Health to optimize informed, personalized care with real time data and stimulate an engaged journey that includes both clinical and non-clinical health management.
Imagine the potential positive impact of lowering healthcare costs, improving access, maintaining health, and increasing individual knowledge and positive decision-making. Consumers take ownership of their health and have access to the tools and knowledge to support healthier decisions.
Generative AI and technology are transforming life by providing information, hope, and the ability for individuals to live their best lives. It has potential to reform a currently convoluted, inequitable, expensive, and sometimes, unsafe healthcare system into one of tools, potential, process, information, and creating positive progress and opportunity for all.
When individuals have access to the tools, knowledge, and support to lead healthier lives, everyone wins!
Ready access to safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, consumer centered, and affordable care may well soon be within grasp – and with the Consumer in charge!
The future of Health and Care determine the journey through life.
Read more here:
“The Dawn of a New Health CEO: The Role of Consumer-centricity in the Future of Health” by Deloitte
“Putting the Value in Value-based Payments” by Josh Seidman
About Barbara Duffy
A healthcare consultant, university professor, author, and committee member with over three decades of experience improving the design and delivery of safe, quality health care and more. Experience includes aligning evidence-based practices with administrative processes and implementation of systemic solutions to positively influence patient care and healthcare delivery. As a Doctorate educated Licensed RN, Risk Manager, and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality other expertise includes accreditation, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, and online higher education instruction.