The Good Times are gone.

It’s a whole new world

      A few decades ago, health care was relatively simple. Patients went to the doctor when they needed help or to have their annual check-up. The health care practitioners graduated from medical, chiropractic or dental schools, served their internship and residency and opened a practice. Their practices were often one or two person organizations focused on general practice or specific specialties and relied on referrals and word of mouth for their business development.

      Individual patients paid for their own care or used their employers’ health care benefits. Prices were reasonable and everyone was content with the situation. Governments focused on providing the licenses to practice medicine and to assure that quality standards were set and met and that there was as little mal- practice litigation, as possible. The pharmaceutical, the medical systems and equipment companies focused on product development, creating new solutions and contributing the health and safety of the population.

      In simple terms, the health care market was predictable and successful in improving the health of the country.

Significant Strategic Changes

      But the good "olde days" have disappeared. It is a whole new game and the healthcare professional game. The changes have been a result of many factors. These have changed how healthcare is provide, its changing cost structure and how all of the healthcare professionals must change how they provide and manage their services.
Let's take a look at all of the change agents and then discuss how they impact the practice of quality healthcare.

The key changes are:

1. Corporate America has changed in size and type.
2. Federal Government has increased its influence and regulations.
3. Technological and Science has improved the quality of healthcare and significantly increased its cost
4. Malpractice litigation has increased the cost and complexity of providing services.
5. Consumer Changing Demographics and Expectations
6. Changing Healthcare Professional Mix
7. New Competition

So we will start in the next blog to discuss each of these key changes and how the healthcare providers must respond strategically.

 

More information about changes can be found at www.enabledoc.com.