Deductibles are soaring and patients are paying more and more for their healthcare, leading many to be more selective in where they obtain care. Kaufman Hall and Cadent Consulting Group conducted a report finding while consumerism in healthcare is increasing, many hospitals are not ready, according to Med City News.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Of the 100 respondents, almost 66 percent said they believe acquiring insight into patients' behaviors and expectations is important.
2. However, less than 25 percent of responding organizations have the necessary tools to gather and assess meaningful patient data.
3. Reasons for failing to adopt such measures include resistance to change, skepticism among providers and organizations as well as a lack of urgency.
4. While hospitals are lagging in keeping pace with healthcare consumers, the pharmaceutical industry is right on the marker. The report found over the last several years, such companies have increased advertising spending from $3.83 billion to $5.4 billion to reach customers. Based on these efforts, they had sales jump from $328 billion to $413 billion.
5. Paul Crnkovich, managing director at Kaufman Hall, said hospitals should find new ways to provide patients healthcare access, whether that is implementing digital infrastructure or opening an urgent care clinic.