What Affects Healthcare?
The arrival of the 21st century marked significant socio-cultural, political, and technological changes and advancements. Over the past two decades, technology has revolutionized everyday life from both a personal and professional standpoint. One of the most affected fields positively affected by technological developments has been the sector of medicine and healthcare. From data capture software to wireless portable medical devices, medicine and the healthcare sector have witnessed major changes in the past years and will in the foreseeable future. The healthcare system has also been affected by governmental, political, and overall global crises. The COVID-19 pandemic and its international response have forever altered healthcare worldwide, along with governmental decisions specific to every country. Considering all these factors, there is a question of what the healthcare system will look like by 2030.
The Differences We Will See
There are different visions for the 2030 healthcare system depending on the country and perspective on the medical sector. There are factors to consider when thinking about the transformation of healthcare, such as the lens through which we look at said changes. These factors can include whether the system considers health professionals, health data, public and individual engagement, implementation of new healthcare systems, economic model development within healthcare, and more. One thing is assured, 2030’s healthcare system will be designed taking into account digital medical and health services, economic constraints, consumerism, and the long-term effect of the pandemic.
Scientific studies have also found that by 2030, medicine and healthcare systems will be defined more on non-traditional primary care. The introduction of new primary care non-traditional healthcare models is growing in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. These systems are based on cost-efficient care and improved outcomes for patients. It is predicted that innovative reimbursement methods, care, and new ownership systems could constitute one-third of the American primary care market in the US in less than ten years. However, healthcare systems and their investors will need to be strategic in economic and political decisions to optimize costs by 2030.
There are a number of challenges in healthcare as of today. In many countries, the healthcare quality is average, if not mediocre; there is little safety and increasingly high costs. Additionally, the pandemic aggravated the already existing problems within the healthcare system. For example, many healthcare systems fail to give accurate patient outcomes, making the quality of life hard to improve. Costs are often very high and family involvement very low, making healthcare less empathetic and more straining for people in need. Additionally, there are significant inequalities in accessibility and equality of care within healthcare systems today. The immediate question is how the healthcare system can be changed for the best and what the main goals are.
One major change factor which will vastly affect healthcare by 2030 is the digital health revolution. The digital age can help make the healthcare sector more personalized, transparent, and accessible. Telemedicine has been growing in the past years, especially with the pandemic, and will continue to transform healthcare in the years to come. There are also other solutions, such as cardiology PACS systems, which have widespread adoption across numerous hospitals and are gaining popularity. It is important to note that the rise of digital medical and health services will present a downfall in the economy because of providers’ plunging revenues. However, the advancement of new technology in healthcare will also require a rise in workforce demand because of rising specialty areas in the medical field.
The future of healthcare will also see the evolution of non-traditional medicine, sustainable health, payment systems, and the roles of providers, partners, and competitors. The healthcare system by 2030 will likely be centered around reaching sustainability, taking into account primary care costs, technology, and treatment costs. Technology will most likely increase accessible care, both for individuals and communities with more coordinated health services. Providers, competitors, and partners will also have a decisive role in the transformation of healthcare by 2030. By taking into account health costs, technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and developments in precise medical diagnosis and treatments, will increase the healthcare system’s efficacy if properly combined and integrated. The healthcare system is also largely dependent on political decisions, the economy, and medical professionals. All these parties must and most likely will be involved in discussions on the healthcare system to optimize efficient transformation by 2030.
