4 areas where healthcare leaders are prioritizing innovation

Faced with widespread pressures across care, cost and technology, forward-thinking healthcare leaders are innovating their business models and strategies to forge a new path. 

Huron’s recent survey of more than 300 U.S. healthcare executives reveals their organizations’ strategic priorities, key challenges and which trends are shaping the industry’s future. From the research, four key themes surface.

1. Digital infrastructure is top of mind 

As technology becomes more integral to how health systems operate and deliver patient care, healthcare leaders emphasize the impact of digital trends on their organizations. Technology infrastructure rises as the top trend this year, while investing in data structures to improve decision-making is the number one challenge cited by healthcare organizations. Virtual care delivery also rose as a top trend this year, with leaders expecting that trajectory to continue over the next five years. A comprehensive digital strategy and strategic technology integration are vital to building a sustainable technology ecosystem as organizations grow their digital investments and address core infrastructure and interoperability challenges.

2. Consumer engagement and retention are growth priorities

Enhancing the patient experience and accommodating shifting consumer preferences are key focus areas for healthcare organizations as they look to increase care access and evolve care delivery. To deliver more personalized care and increase patient loyalty, leaders are implementing forward-thinking initiatives including remote patient monitoring, intelligent automation, and work and care team redesign.

3. Leaders act on artificial intelligence 

Healthcare executives are searching for actionable use cases to implement AI and automation. More than 75% of leaders report they’re investing in intelligent automation for care delivery, and 23% are automating revenue cycles. Identifying desired business and clinical outcomes before investing in AI can help leaders determine and prioritize the best use cases to achieve organizational goals and get the most value from their investments.

4. Widespread cost pressures necessitate balanced solutions

Faced with financial challenges across several key areas of the business, healthcare leaders are deploying a multipronged approach to balance immediate cost reductions and more sweeping operating model reconfigurations. Leaders report prioritizing supply chain and workforce efficiencies, while taking time to re-evaluate technology interoperability, service portfolios and economic models to position their organizations for financial sustainability and growth. 

Creating a consumer-centric future

Despite the interconnected challenges facing healthcare organizations, leaders across the industry are forging a new path by championing innovative strategies. By thoughtfully integrating new technology to meet shifting consumer preferences and reduce widespread cost pressures, executives can advance their organizations and create a more digitally focused and consumer-centric future. 

View Huron’s full healthcare trends report to learn more.

Huron is a global professional services firm that collaborates with clients to put possible into practice by creating sound strategies, optimizing operations, accelerating digital transformation, and empowering businesses and their people to own their future.