Changes in healthcare as an industry and community

• Healthcare systems cannot run as they have in recent decades as the model is economically unsustainable in an ageing population
• Ready access to information and dissatisfaction with current services is fuelling consumers to shout out for personalisation of care and more involvement in their own health journeys
• The image of the millennials as the new consumer group is real- they do not respect the traditional concept that ‘authorities know best’ … this is the old guard of paternalistic authority of the last 100 years of medicine. These new consumers want to be in the team; not passive recipients of care (unless the proverbial bus hits – the new health care consumer expects respect for their view on their own condition)
• Healthcare is still, as it has always been, about the doctor/patient relationships of trust; but with a more equitable exchange.
• The new healthcare consumer now has a relationship with the internet and its resources. for better or worse. This is the generation that grew up with the internet and e-friends
• The new image of healthcare recognises that the consumer is in full focus; they have an opinion, they want to be heard and have often formed a decision based on their own internet investigations/contacts. They are still happy to listen to the healthcare practitioners that they trust - but now want to be more involved in the decisions made about them.
• At the personal wellness end of the healthcare industry, chronic conditions of poor health are increasing. This management area requires active involvement of the person between clinical encounters. Health oriented digital devises are rapidly emerging.
• This is the future of personalised health outcomes; the patient is not passive but is an active client – pivotal in their own health outcomes.
• Agitation and some Leadership in this new emerging healthcare canvas is coming from governments with a focus on the need for affordable healthcare models
• Many provider groups are finding they are frustrated that they are only dealing with the ‘disease model’ and not able to spend time with the bigger picture of health with patients.
• There are increasing numbers of all types of healthcare professionals expressing dissatisfaction with their clinical life; their low level of satisfaction is needing to be heard!
• Time and pressure is swamping medical physicians as they have less quality time to build the value of a trusted relationships with their patients.
• The way to shift the system is like a large ocean liner; slowly and carefully without releasing the compass set.