PwC's Health Research Institute Issues Report Shows Next Few Years Will be Crucial for Health Systems to Implement Consumer Friendly Technology
HRI survey of 1,000 physicians and physician "extenders" reveals changing attitudes, and an increased acceptance of digital's role in improving patient health
NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PwC's Health Research Institute (HRI) today released a new report, Healthcare delivery of the future: How digital technology can bridge the gap of time and distance between clinicians and consumers. The report reveals a shift in attitudes among clinicians, suggesting an increased openness toward using digital technology, and offers detailed recommendations for how healthcare companies, clinicians, and new entrants can harness developing technologies to benefit patients and the industry.
"Digitally-enabled care is no longer nice-to-have, it's fundamental for delivering high quality care," said Daniel Garrett, Health Information Technology Practice Leader, PwC US. "Just as the banking and retail sectors today use data and technology to improve efficiency, raise quality, and expand services, healthcare must either do the same or lose patients to their competitors who do so."
As part of its research, HRI surveyed 1,000 industry leaders, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants, including members of the board of the eHealth Initiative, finding that caregivers and consumers share similar views on how digital technology can:
- Put diagnostic testing of basic conditions into the hands of patients: About 42 percent of physicians are comfortable relying on at-home test results to prescribe medication.
- Increase patient-clinician interaction: Half of physicians said that e-visits could replace more than 10 percent of in-office patient visits, and nearly as many consumers indicated they would communicate with caregivers online.
- Promote self-management of chronic disease using health apps: 28 percent of consumers said they have a healthcare, wellness, or medical app on their mobile device, up from 16 percent last year. Roughly two-thirds of physicians said they would prescribe an app to help patients manage chronic diseases such as diabetes.
- Help caregivers work more as a team: Nearly half of consumers and 79 percent of physicians believe using mobile devices can help clinicians better coordinate care.
"The adoption and integration of digital technology with existing healthcare processes has not yet fulfilled its potential to transform care and value for patients," said Simon Samaha, MD, Principal, PwC. "The next five years will be critical, with leaders emerging from those who use digital technology to innovate and revamp the interactions between consumers, providers and payers."
Through its survey and interviews with 25 healthcare executives, HRI found that leaders across health plans, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry all anticipate major shifts in how care is delivered. However, data-sharing, consumer consent, privacy and security, fragmented workflows and digital investment constitute barriers.
As the report details, HRI's recommendations for healthcare companies include:
- Generating actionable insights through analytics to yield better outcomes: Analytics will enable caregivers to develop customized care plans for individuals while also managing care for and improving the health of patient populations. They will also help caregivers identify high-risk targets and anticipate problems.
- Using the increasing amounts of data to rethink the workforce and workflows: Providers must tap technology and adjust the workforce to reduce costs and improve quality, rethinking who and how to staff based on technology. Digital technology can be used to ensure physicians are practicing at the top of their licenses and leverage care extenders, such as nurse practitioners, when appropriate.
- Targeting digital interventions for where they make the most sense: Before developing new clinical protocols, health systems must determine where digital interventions are better than traditional, in-office visits based on patients' specific complaints or conditions.
About PwC's Health Research Institute (HRI)
PwC's Health Research Institute (www.pwc.com/hri) provides new intelligence, perspectives, and analysis on trends affecting all health-related industries. The Health Research Institute helps executive decision makers navigate change through primary research and collaborative exchange. Our views are shaped by a network of professionals with executive and day-to-day experience in the health industry. HRI research is independent and not sponsored by businesses, government, or other institutions.
About PwC's Health Industries Group
PwC's Health Industries Group (www.pwc.com/us/healthindustries) is a leading advisor to public and private organizations across the health industries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, health and life sciences, payers, employers, academic institutions and non-health organizations with significant presence in the health market. Follow PwC Health Industries at @PwCHealth.
About PwC US
PwC US helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a member of the PwC network of firms, which has firms in 157 countries with more than 195,000 people. We're committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US.
© 2014 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
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SOURCE PwC US
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