Health IT adoption and telemedicine are among the top 10 health care trends expected to emerge in the coming year, according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report, Healthcare IT News reports.
PwC's Health Research Institute publishes the annual report on key issues in the health care industry (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 12/17).
For 2010, the report contends that the health care industry will move toward:
- Adopting electronic health record systems and other health IT tools in order to qualify for federal incentive payments;
- Advancing telemedicine through the integration of health care technologies and broadband connectivity;
- Attaining greater electronic connectivity and stability as physicians develop closer relationships with health systems; and
- Expanding alternative care delivery models such as home health services, telehealth and remote patient monitoring.
The report also noted that the coming year likely will focus primarily on curbing costs and creating greater value in the health care system. Other emerging issues will include adapting to new health care regulations and tightening fraud protections, according to the report (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 12/18).