Can the healthcare system be future-proofed if hospitals and other healthcare institutions continue to operate individually? Or will it be a must in the coming years to really start cooperating with each other? One thing is certain: with the current approach, the healthcare sector faces tough dilemmas such as the increase in the need for care, individualization of the patient and a shortage of qualified personnel. In addition, the question can also be asked whether the right care is always provided in the right place. But is this at all realistic in the absence of a large and broad network? Various perspectives and scenarios have already appeared on the future of healthcare in the Netherlands. Such an overview of possible scenarios is useful, but what are the real priorities within the healthcare sector for the coming years?
Supply Value has researched the priorities within the healthcare sector for the coming years. Our report describes eight key developments that will lead to major changes within the healthcare industry within the next five years. In this insight, we briefly discuss the first two developments: from islands to networks and from hospital to home.
From islands to networks
More and more (regional) cooperation initiatives are being launched in the Netherlands to future-proof the healthcare system. The aim is to improve the health of residents and the quality of care at lower costs. Our experience shows that, despite the emerging initiatives, most healthcare providers are not yet working in such a collaboration or the implementation of “collaboration” is not yet complete. The result, for example, is that a person in need of care has to provide his or her details each time a new care provider is visited. This is because no or only limited data is shared between care providers.
The following developments are foreseen in the Dutch healthcare system:
- First, the demand for care continues to rise, while the supply in certain regions is declining. In particular, we see the demand for care increasing due to the increase in the number of elderly people. On the other hand, the healthcare sector is facing personnel shortages.
- In addition, there is fragmentation in health care. The cause of this is the silo approach (islands) of healthcare providers. This is maintained by a “complex” of factors: the lack of matching funding, laws and regulations, data management, time and training.
- Finally, healthcare professionals are experiencing an ever-increasing workload due to staff shortages and the increasing administrative burden.
In order to improve the quality of care and curb (or even reduce) spending, care providers and other parties such as health insurers will have to work together. Parties must work together toward an integrated care approach, in which the person in need of care is central.
From hospital to home
Most care is provided in the hospital. This ranges from check-ups with a specialist to multi-day hospitalization. The increasing demand for care creates a drive to see the person in need of care less in the hospital and as much as possible at home. From the Ministry of Health and various health insurers, the focus is on the right care, in the right place at the right time. This aim will result in a shift in the location of care provision: It is expected that in 2030 at least 50% of care provision will take place in one’s own living environment instead of in a care facility.
The care required is, of course, a determining factor in choosing the right place for care. Measuring certain values and identifying relevant trends will eventually take place simply as standard at home, using e-health devices, among other things. And then there is another important development to make the movement of care to the home a reality: cooperation within the network of healthcare institutions. Moving care involving some physical assistance to a home setting often requires support from an on-site care worker. This care worker, such as a home care nurse, must then be familiar with exactly what the specialist in the hospital has prescribed as treatment.
The first two developments described in this sneak peek describe important shifts for the healthcare industry. To successfully implement the described changes within the healthcare sector, it is important to create a solid foundation for this. This is done with the movement ”from islands to network.” When a broad network is created between hospitals, other healthcare institutions and health insurers, more can be achieved and a real step is taken towards the right care in the right place. Download the insight below.
