Healthcare trends for 2022

The last year has taught us a lot. We learned how to manage remote and in-person work, monitor developing changes in vaccines, mandates and rollouts and found out how essential technology is to the healthcare field.

As the COVID pandemic continues to be on our minds, we enter a new year armed with a sharper focus on what our healthcare workers need. This year will bring a new focus on mental health, staffing issues and how technology can assist in our daily practices.

Take a look at three of the biggest trends in healthcare we predict for the new year.

Continued popularity of telehealth.

The pandemic brought a huge shift from in-person to virtual appointments. Even as doctors return to in-office visits, telehealth is expected to remain popular among patients. In fact, the American Hospital Association notes that 60 percent of surveyed consumers are asking for expanded options for telehealth visits.

Implementation efforts for telehealth among providers are at an astonishing rate of 38 times higher than in 2019. Expect that expansion to continue, especially in underserved rural areas or for non-emergency visits.

Use of automation.

Another result of the pandemic is an indicator of a trend — automation. Medical centers around the US saw huge staffing issues caused by the rising cases of COVID-19. The federal Health and Human Service agencies note that 16% of hospitals in the US have staffing issues.

Now digital apps and assistants are becoming more a part of the landscape of healthcare, at least when patients need early care. This means less of a workload for providers, convenience for those who need healthcare at this level, and an improved focus on follow-through when necessary.

Experts are also looking at another interesting trend: payment by subscription for healthcare providers. These can be used for the growing number of healthcare workers who no longer have full health insurance coverage due to the pandemic and how it changed the economy.

It’s also being used by some as a supplement to standard health insurance. With convenience and transparency being touted, it’s something that more people in the workplace are considering, especially if they’re consultants or work outside of the standard “large office” environment.

Focus on mental health.

As we’ve seen in recent years, there’s a new and increased emphasis on mental wellness awareness on the job. Many companies are expanding their mental health and wellness benefits, especially given the stress brought on by the pandemic. Among the perks that may be more available at varying levels of the workplace are counseling sessions with therapists, wellness center subsidies, changes in leave policy and even days when platforms such as Zoom are not in use.

All of this is meant to address potential issues of burnout, stress and other indicators of inadequate mental wellness. It may be already taking place for some companies, especially larger ones, but expect an increased scope, especially to address companies that have hybrid models which include work-from-home options.

All of these continuing trends in healthcare hopefully lead down one road: making access and quality more affordable and available to a wider group of people, especially those who are more vulnerable. It’s the right thing to do. And if tech can help bridge those gaps, it should be a welcome partner for healthcare providers.