When it comes to trending topics that garner a lot of column inches in the media, the health industry focuses on what affects everyone – from patients, consumers, businesses, medical institutions, and professionals.
With the rise of new tracking and management health products on the market, such as smartwatches, people are now more aware and intrigued about their wellbeing. But, what other trends and issues should we expect to arise in the health industry this year? Read on to find out more about health trends in our latest blog post and look for more on health issues of 2016 in next week’s blog:
Health Trends:
There are plenty of articles online talking about health trends that eventually lead to the discussion of how digital health will become bigger year-on-year. However, what some consumers tend to forget is the fact that many are using and considering electronic or digital health services because they are more convenient and less costly. Prices for health care continue to surge along with deductibles, leaving many to put off medical treatment completely for themselves or a family member – one in three Americans, in fact.
The pricey cost of medical care has left the public consulting telemedicine services, allowing them to access health care 24/7 from their homes. These services offer patients a service at a fraction of the price for the cost of medical checkups (usually around $25-$30 and covered by some insurance providers and government healthcare plans) plus it comes without the hassle of visiting a physical clinic. This particular industry is expected to grow around 40% annually over the next five years with a market value of $3.5 billion by 2020.
To provide even more convenience to patients, house calls will make a comeback this year and become a mainstream service. Several startups in the US are now promising to deliver a doctor to people’s doorstep in an hour or two of calling, where apps such as Heal, Curbside Care, and Mend aim to bring the old-fashioned house call service back to the fore. Since 2012, American national social insurance program Medicare has been testing a home-based primary care program to improve the quality of care in the country by preventing elderly patients moving to nursing centers and instead get the care they need right in their homes.
-TechJVB
About the guest author: When it comes to tech trends, TechJVB is the common go-to person of many online readers in the West. But, she has expanded her knowledge on tech as different sectors are now utilizing it to enhance their services, from health, travel, hospitality, business, education and more. TechJVB hopes to be invited in one of the eHealth conferences abroad to be able to share her knowledge and expand her experiences in the field. She plans to expand her readership by launching an eHealth-focused website soon.
