what are the greatest challenges medical industries face today?

The last few years were challenging for the medical industry, with demands that brought on the evolution of the modern healthcare system. With more patients, staffing shortages, and rapid changes in processes, the healthcare industry was forced to evolve from antiquated systems. However, with government regulations and technological innovations, there were many complications to navigate. While treating patients effectively and efficiently was always the most important aspect for medical professionals, the environment now demands more from them. Unfortunately, there are many challenges facing the medical industry today, including: 

Cybersecurity Issues

Patients put a lot of trust in their doctors. While they know physicians and nurses can’t share any information about them with another person unless authorized, they don’t realize that there are other ways for people to get ahold of their valuable information. Healthcare facilities are tasked with securing personal data, including personally identifiable information, medical records, and payment information like credit card numbers. Unfortunately, as facilities digitize and begin using digital tools to provide additional convenience for patients, they’re at an increased risk of cyber attacks that can compromise patient data. 

Cyberattacks against healthcare facilities continue to increase year after year, with millions of people having their protected data breached, resulting in a loss of trust in their doctors. Unfortunately, many devices, including computers and tablets, are vulnerable to security breaches. However, healthcare facilities can mitigate these risks by upgrading their systems, using electronic health record platforms, and training staff on maintaining cybersecurity. 

Implementation of Telehealth Services

Telehealth has been a hot topic in recent years, as people would prefer to get the care they need from the comfort of their own homes, especially for follow-up visits that don’t require any additional testing or emergency care. Telehealth is popular with patients because it’s convenient, but it’s also popular with healthcare providers because it allows them to accomplish more and provide emergency care more efficiently since telehealth services can only treat non-emergency health concerns. In addition, with improved accessibility, physicians can help manage their patients’ conditions while improving communication through digital health records. 

Unfortunately, while many patients are interested in telehealth services, their physicians may not have them implemented properly. Therefore, healthcare facilities must raise patient awareness of the services and set up the right software to enable them to better care for patients they see remotely. 

Payments

With insurance coverage rules and changes in billing approaches, healthcare billing can be complicated. While most physicians employ healthcare billing professionals, patients don’t have the same level of transparency. As a result, many patients find insurance benefits confusing, never knowing how much they will spend for a simple visit to the doctor. 

In addition, bill management tools don’t cater to patient payment preferences, resulting in late or missing payments for doctors and medical facilities. In addition, patients have to pay their regular monthly health insurance costs, so if patients aren’t required to pay at the time of service, they may never know they have a bill due. To overcome these billing issues, healthcare providers and facilities can align their approaches to patients’ expectations and make medical billing easier. They can also use online portals to help patients understand their costs and payment options or set up easy-to-use payment plans.

Since payment transparency is also an issue plaguing the healthcare industry, doctors and healthcare facilities may list common service costs on their websites or in the office. While not all patients will pay the same because of their varying insurance policies, knowing how much they’ll be expected to pay at the time of service can help patients make better decisions when it comes to their health.

Patient Experience

Many people don’t trust their doctors because they don’t spend enough time with them. In addition, in recent years, more stories have come out about doctors disregarding their patients’ concerns, leading to dangerous medical diagnoses years later. The patient experience is important to patients, and without providing them with enough quality time, doctors can deter patients who don’t feel heard. 

Positive patient experience can boost retention rates and profitability by improving how patients feel about their doctors, helping them build trust. In addition, quality patient experience can improve medical outcomes, making patients more likely to adhere to advice from their physicians. Unfortunately, many doctors and healthcare facilities are short on time, leaving them with as little interaction with patients as possible. Luckily, self-service systems can improve the patient experience, making it easier and more convenient for patients to schedule their appointments, speak with healthcare providers about their concerns virtually, and manage their payments online.

Telehealth services can also reduce the amount of time healthcare professionals spend with patients, allowing them to spend more time with patients during their scheduled appointments. 

Utilizing Healthcare Technology

Technology evolves, altering the healthcare industry and how patients are monitored and treated. While health technology can improve medical outcomes, many facilities don’t have the infrastructure to utilize them properly. In addition, many medical devices are connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), and to properly utilize this technology, leaders must continue to form partnerships with manufacturers and development companies, developing new business models to improve technology adoption in the industry. 

Staffing Shortages

Staffing shortages in the medical industry started a few years ago but are likely to continue for many years, with an extreme shortage of physicians and nurses. As doctors retire, healthcare demands will outpace the number of healthcare providers available. Keeping up with patient demand is one of the biggest challenges facing the medical industry today because there are more patients than doctors, making it difficult to schedule appointments when patients need them. Unfortunately, until more healthcare professionals join the workforce, there’s nothing that can prevent this issue. However, healthcare facilities can take advantage of their staff by using technology and telehealth to treat more patients efficiently. 

Overcoming Challenges in Healthcare

Change can be difficult for healthcare facilities, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement new tools, technologies, and processes. However, while change can be expensive and time-consuming, it’s worth keeping up with patient demand. Patients must have better experiences and be treated promptly. 

In addition, while technology has a large upfront cost, it can save on administrative costs, in the long run, minimizing errors and improving the complete patient experience through telehealth services and digital portals. 

Megan Isola

Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.