普华永道-2021年医疗行业的首要问题报告（英文）-2021.4-62页_11mb

PwC Health Research Institute: Top Health Industry Issues of 2021 Summary

Core Content

The PwC Health Research Institute's report on the top health industry issues of 2021 highlights the transformation of the healthcare system in response to the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. It outlines the shift toward a more consumer-centric, digitally integrated, and equitable healthcare model, while also addressing the long-term strategic and operational challenges that organizations must navigate.

Main Issues and Key Insights

1. Reimagining Healthcare Delivery

• Virtual Care Expansion: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care, with many healthcare organizations integrating it into their services.
• Balancing Virtual and In-Person Care: Organizations are working to rightsize their virtual care offerings, focusing on areas where it makes the most sense for care delivery, patient experience, reimbursement, and clinical research.
• Specialties Benefiting from Virtual Care: Mental health, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics are expected to benefit the most from virtual care in 2021.

2. Mental Health Crisis

• Pandemic Impact: 32% of US consumers experienced anxiety or depression due to the pandemic, with higher rates among Latinx (44%) and Black (38%) consumers.
• Clinical Workforce Impact: Front-line clinicians faced emotional and physical stress, which has increased the need for mental health support within the system.
• Need for Integrated Care: There is a growing recognition that mental health care should be more accessible and personalized, with virtual care playing a key role.

3. Reimbursement and Consumer Experience

• Reimbursement Challenges: The telehealth reimbursement system remains a significant barrier to long-term sustainability, with concerns about payment parity and reduced ancillary services.
• Consumer and Clinician Satisfaction: Clinician satisfaction is crucial for the success of virtual care. 69% of consumers said it was important to have a recommendation from their primary care doctor before using virtual care.
• Care Coordination: 51% of consumers want a care coordinator or navigator to help orchestrate virtual and in-person care, with 68% of provider executives planning to use more navigators in 2021.

4. Digital Transformation and Supply Chain Resilience

• Investment in Digital Tools: 98% of pharmaceutical and life sciences executives expect increased digital investment in clinical trials in 2021.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Organizations must build resilient infrastructures and supply chains to prepare for future shocks and ensure financial stability.
• Technology Access: There is a risk of creating new health disparities for underserved communities due to limited access to digital tools. Initiatives like providing smartphones to rural communities are being explored to address this.

5. Clinical Trials and Decentralization

• Shift to Decentralized Trials: The pandemic has pushed the industry toward more decentralized clinical trials, with 93% of pharmaceutical executives seeing the importance of virtual trials in the next five years.
• Therapeutic Areas: Oncology, infectious disease, immunology, and women's health are the top areas expected to benefit from virtual trials.
• Regulatory Support: Regulators, including the FDA, have introduced emergency use authorizations and expedited reviews to support rapid development of pandemic-related treatments. These changes may become permanent.

6. Strategic Planning and Collaboration

• Strategic Reinvestment: Health systems are expected to reengineer their services and products to create a more financially sustainable and consumer-focused model.
• Collaboration Across Stakeholders: Collaboration between health systems, insurers, community organizations, and technology companies is essential to address inequities and improve care delivery.
• Avoiding Fragmentation: The healthcare ecosystem must avoid further fragmentation by aligning efforts and ensuring seamless integration of virtual and in-person care.

Key Statistics

• Virtual Care Usage: 92% of healthcare provider leaders reported using telehealth for primary care, with 68% citing its usefulness for follow-up appointments.
• Consumer Experience Issues: 53% of consumers who had virtual visits encountered at least one issue, with minorities more likely to face these challenges.
• Provider Reimbursement Concerns: 37% of provider leaders cited consumer willingness as a major challenge to growing telehealth programs, while 18% cited physician willingness.
• Virtual Care Adoption by Insurers: 74% of fully-insured employer plan executives, 44% of exchange plan executives, and 78% of Medicare Advantage plan executives reported offering virtual care services.

Conclusion

The pandemic has forced the healthcare industry to reevaluate its traditional models and embrace digital innovation. While virtual care has shown promise, especially in mental health, it also presents challenges that require careful planning, investment in technology, and a focus on equitable access. The future of healthcare will be shaped by organizations that can balance financial sustainability with improved patient experience and address the root causes of health disparities.