PwC’s Health Research Institute releases the top 10 healthcare industry issues to watch in 2015. 

HRI’s top 10 issues for the health industry in the year ahead:

1. Do-it-yourself healthcare

U.S. physicians and consumers are ready to embrace a dramatic expansion of the high-tech, personal medical kit. Wearable tech, smartphone-linked devices and mobile apps will become increasingly valuable in care delivery.

2. Making the leap from mobile app to medical device

A proliferation of approved and portable medical devices in patients’ homes, and on their phones, makes diagnosis and treatment more convenient, redoubling the need for strong information security systems.

3. Balancing privacy and convenience

Privacy will lose ground to convenience in 2015 as patients adopt digital tools and services that gather and analyze health information.

4. High-cost patients spark cost-saving innovations

The soaring cost of care for Medicare and Medicaid “dual eligibles,” aging boomers and patients with co-morbidities will foster creative care delivery and management systems.

5. Putting a price on positive outcomes

With high-priced new products and specialty drugs slated to hit the market in 2015 increasing demand for new evidence and definitions of positive health outcomes are expected.

6. Open everything to everyone

New transparency initiatives targeting clinical trial data, real-world patient outcomes and financial relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical companies will improve patient care and open new opportunities.

7. Getting to know the newly insured

2015 will be a revelatory year for the U.S. health sector as a portrait of the newly-insured emerges, fostering better care management programs and shifting marketing strategies.

8. Physician extenders see an expanded role in patient care

Physician “extenders” are becoming the first line of care for many patients, as doctors delegate tasks, monitor patients digitally and enter into risk-based payment models.

9. Redefining health and well-being for the millennial generation

As the economy rebounds and baby boomers retire, employers and insurers look for fresh ways to engage, retain and attract the next generation of health consumers.

10. Partner to win

In 2015, joint ventures, open collaboration platforms and non-traditional partnerships will push healthcare companies out of the comfort zone toward new competitive strategies.

Source: PwC: Top 10 Healthcare Industry Issues to Watch in 2015