As healthcare consumer expectations continue to evolve and health systems grapple with how to provide more personal and holistic care across diverse settings, the role of virtual care is shifting from a nice-to-have to a must-do. In a recent survey, Leading Health System (LHS) executives agreed with 93% reporting they plan to grow most or all of their virtual health offerings in the foreseeable future.
Beyond meeting consumer expectations, there’s good reason for this planned investment. LHS CXOs believe the future of care delivery will be measurably different than today—describing future virtual care delivery as integrated, consumer-focused, and scaled. Here’s what they mean by that:
Integrated: Offering a seamless and cohesive experience for patients across platforms and entry points to the system (virtual or physical).
Consumer-focused: Giving patients on-demand, omnichannel access to care and ensuring care is affordable.
Scaled: Operating with a unified virtual strategy across the enterprise, rather than disconnected point solutions.
The problem CXOs are facing? How to get there.
Research Methodology
To answer the question, what will it take to unlock the future of virtual care, and what’s standing in your way? The Health Management Academy conducted research with Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Medical Information Officers, and Population Health Leaders from 38 Leading Health Systems, including:
Surveyed 30 CXOs across 22 LHS
Facilitated three in-person discussions with 60 CXOs
Conducted industry subject matter expert interviews
Collected secondary data, performed applied literature review