Healthcare IT - Full Speed Ahead in 2018

According to many national prominent IT organizations, technological advances in healthcare will continue to strengthen and expand in 2018. Below are a few of the trends we can expect to see.

1. Digital Mobile Engagement.

The use of mobile technology to share healthcare information continues to grow in 2018. Digital mobile engagement among patients and healthcare providers will increase 50 percent by 2019. Not unexpected, as more than 80 percent of physicians today use smartphones or tablets, and most patients use their phones to access medical information.

2. Patient Reported Data

Patients will continue to take a more proactive role in managing their health. By the end of 2020, 25 percent of the data used in medical care will be collected and shared with practices and providers by patients.

3. Third Party Contractors

The volume of healthcare data and data management will continue to soar and overwhelm practices. Many current payer IT functions lack the capacity to integrate, manage and analyze the data. In 2018, 20 percent of commercial payer back-office operations will shift to third party contractors.

4. Digital/Virtual Healthcare Services

By 2021, digital healthcare services will account for 6 percent of global healthcare expenditures. More patients will rely on telehealth and other virtual patient engagement technologies.

5. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence has been slow to take off, but research shows that healthcare systems are investing in this technology to help automate tasks such as routine paperwork, scheduling, accounting and more. But  Only 20 percent of respondents said they had the technology to thrive with Artificial Intelligence.

The healthcare landscape in 2018 is still unclear, but one thing is for certain, technology will play an even bigger part in patient care and the overall patient experience.

POS is a 45+year privately owned healthcare communications company that helps practices communicate better with patients.