Valerie Reich, vice president of healthcare strategy at Hero Digital, a customer engagement and process optimization firm, has outlined three significant changes that she believes will shape the healthcare industry in 2025.
The Rise of AI in Healthcare
AI has been making strides in healthcare, primarily focused on improving operational efficiency. However, Reich predicts that in 2025, we will witness a significant expansion of AI adoption in areas such as patient engagement and clinical research. AI will no longer be limited to efficiency use cases but will play a crucial role in accelerating medical advancements and enhancing personalized care without overburdening healthcare providers.
For patient care, AI will revolutionize patient engagements by analyzing individual patient data to deliver personalized care plans efficiently. Epic and other industry leaders are already developing AI agents that can assess a patient’s progress and recommend tailored treatment plans, paving the way for personalized medicine at scale. This advancement in AI tools will not only improve patient outcomes but also alleviate the strain on healthcare teams.
Moreover, AI will drive innovation in clinical research by enabling researchers to analyze vast datasets rapidly and accurately. This enhanced efficacy will expedite the development and delivery of new treatments, encouraging healthcare organizations to collaborate and uncover crucial insights for better patient care.
Empowering Patients with Interconnected Services and Technology
As consumers become more aware of the predictive capabilities of their health data, they are seeking health systems that support them holistically. Emerging technologies like fitness watches and mobile health apps provide consumers with valuable insights into their health, prompting a shift towards proactive and personalized healthcare.
In 2025, the healthcare industry will evolve into an interconnected network of services designed around the consumer. This network will bundle primary care, mental health services, fitness, nutrition, and social support to offer consumers a comprehensive view of their health. Providers will need to optimize their services, seamlessly integrate into digital ecosystems, and seek partnerships that support an integrated network of services to meet the evolving needs of patients.
Prioritizing the Caregiver Experience
With the aging population growing rapidly, Reich emphasizes the importance of focusing on the caregiver experience alongside the patient experience. Many seniors rely on family members or friends for support in their medical care, and these caregivers often juggle multiple responsibilities while providing care.
To address this gap, healthcare organizations will develop digital platforms and tools that leverage AI to personalize and optimize care coordination for caregivers. By collecting data-driven insights, providers can match patients and caregivers with the right providers, streamline decision-making, and develop tailored content for caregivers to navigate the healthcare system effectively.
In conclusion, 2025 will be a transformative year for the healthcare industry, driven by the expanded adoption of AI, interconnected services for patients, and a focus on enhancing the caregiver experience. As healthcare continues to evolve, providers must adapt to meet the changing needs of patients and caregivers to deliver more efficient and personalized care.
