1 . The progression of the retail-isation of healthcare

When it comes to the retail-isation of healthcare , the future is now . Retailisation is all about increasing access – making it more available to more people and that is transformational . Health systems are being challenged on how they ’ re providing more accessible , equitable care , particularly to people located in ‘ medical deserts ’ or far from areas with easily accessible healthcare options . As a result , patient engagement remains a top priority for healthcare providers . Furthermore , patient engagement technologies – digital communications and records , mobile apps , patient portals , etc . – are expected to be a top spending priority for healthcare providers .

Industry initiatives will include single occupancy rooms , smart patient rooms , self-serve kiosks and digital front doors – the technologies patients use to interact with healthcare providers throughout their care experience . As the use of technology in the healthcare industry continues to grow , look for it to transform into a more ‘ friendly ’ retail environment .

A do-it-yourself ( DIY )/ self-care mindset may drive many consumers to take control of their health in non-traditional ways , and healthcare systems will need to adapt to maintain continuity in patient care . Consequently , we are finding healthcare delivery organisation ( HDO ) business models under pressure to deliver highly reliable care at a lower cost at a place and time that is convenient for the consumer .

2 . Interest in telehealth

As we kick off 2024 , Wayne Miller , Director , EMEA Healthcare Practice , Zebra Technologies , tells us the biggest healthcare predictions for the year ahead .

Telehealth , or the combination of telehealth and in-home care , will be the preferred way of receiving care moving forward . This includes patients receiving care virtually and with a visiting nurse for modern-day healthcare house calls . There will be an increased expansion in home healthcare in the coming years with a focus on sending patients home versus keeping them in hospital beds . It is important to note that this trend is in its early stages , and it is important to gain early ground here .

We expect digitalisation investments and digital health to be top IT priorities . Priorities have shifted toward tech that enables care teams to collaborate and coordinate care as well as share patient information . This

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