2018年-普华永道全球_New_Health_A_vision_for_sustainability_Publications_Healthcare_Industries_PwC_22页_1mb

New Health: A Vision for Sustainability Summary

Core Content

The document New Health: A Vision for Sustainability (July 2017) outlines the challenges and opportunities facing the global healthcare industry as it moves toward a more sustainable, consumer-focused model. It emphasizes the need for innovation, investment, and a shift in how healthcare is delivered and valued. The report introduces the concept of "New Health," an era defined by consumer empowerment, technological advancement, and a holistic approach to health that includes social, economic, and lifestyle factors.

Main Challenges

• Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality: These remain persistent challenges, with healthcare systems struggling to meet the growing demand and rising costs.
• Incentive Misalignment: Healthcare systems are still largely focused on treating illness, while consumers increasingly value wellness and prevention.
• Global Insularity and Populism: Countries are becoming more inward-looking, which could hinder collaboration and innovation.
• Regulatory and Reimbursement Constraints: These create barriers to the adoption of new technologies and business models.
• Workforce Shortages: A global shortage of healthcare workers is expected to worsen, particularly as populations age.

Key Trends Driving Change

• Consumer Empowerment: Consumers are taking more responsibility for their health, empowered by technology and increased access to information.
• Technology Disruption: Innovations such as AI, robotics, genomics, and digital health tools are transforming care delivery and outcomes.
• New Entrants: Startups and non-traditional companies are entering the healthcare space, bringing novel solutions and business models.
• Shift to Value-Based Care: There is a growing emphasis on paying for value rather than volume, which is reshaping how care is delivered and reimbursed.

Four Key Steps Toward Sustainability

1. Embracing New Entrants

   • New entrants, including startups and tech giants, are leveraging technology and novel business models to disrupt traditional healthcare.
   • These entrants can leapfrog competitors through reverse innovation or by offering direct-to-consumer products and services.
   • Examples include companies using genomics to develop targeted therapies and AI for diagnostic support.

2. Redesigning the Healthcare Workforce

   • The workforce is evolving to include non-medical professionals such as social workers, teachers, and home caregivers.
   • Technology, including AI and robotics, will help address the global shortage of healthcare workers.
   • Traditional roles are shifting toward more integrated and patient-centered care models.

3. Leveraging Genomics and Personalised Medicine

   • Genomics is transforming healthcare by enabling early detection, targeted treatment, and prevention.
   • It is shifting the industry's focus from treating illness to promoting wellness.
   • Examples include BRCA1/2 testing for cancer risk and genome sequencing for rare diseases.
   • Challenges include scientific complexity, regulatory hurdles, and high costs.

4. Creating New Care Delivery Models

   • Technology is enabling more accessible, affordable, and integrated care delivery.
   • Care is moving from institutional settings (hospitals) to lower-cost, consumer-focused environments such as homes and virtual platforms.
   • Innovations include AI-assisted diagnostics, telemedicine, and mobile health applications.
   • These models improve care coordination and patient outcomes.

Opportunities and Challenges

• Opportunities:

  • New entrants and technologies can improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs.
  • Genomics offers the potential for more effective, personalized treatments.
  • Technology can democratize healthcare access and shift the balance of power toward consumers.

• Challenges:

  • Regulatory and Reimbursement: Policies must evolve to support new models and technologies.
  • Scientific and Technical: More research is needed to fully understand the links between genetics and disease.
  • Consumer Trust: Despite enthusiasm, there are concerns about the reliability and ethics of AI and robotics in healthcare.
  • Cost Reduction: Genomics and other advanced technologies need to become more cost-effective for widespread adoption.

Conclusion

The healthcare industry is at a critical juncture, with the potential for significant transformation. The vision of New Health is centered on consumer-centric care, technological innovation, and sustainability. While the path forward is complex, the report suggests that the industry is moving toward a more integrated, preventive, and value-based model, with technology playing a central role in enabling this change. The success of this transition will depend on collaboration between stakeholders, regulatory support, and the ability of healthcare systems to adapt to new realities.