Healthcare leaders set out key strategies in new survey

Leaders in the healthcare and life sciences industry have set out their priorities for 2018 in a new survey conducted by global consulting firm, North Highland.

The biggest priority for the healthcare industry found in the survey was cyber-security. Worryingly, only 25% of respondents felt that they were prepared to address concerns over cyber-security. Worries over personal health information and potential vulnerabilities with connected medical devices were at the forefront of 2017, with attacks such as WannaCry and hackable medical devices highlighting the issues.

Transforming to be more efficient was stated as being important to competitive advantage by 62% of respondents. Under half (41%) said it was an important focus for 2018 but only 31% said they are prepared to address it. North Highland states that holistic strategies such as centres of innovation could encourage effective communication allowing for transformation.

Other competitive advantages could come from product innovations, internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence but healthcare leaders stated they were focused on other priorities for 2018.

Only 21% of respondents said they felt ready to adapt to changing customer needs and customer centricity and cited a lack of knowledge, skills and budget pressures as barriers. North Highland says that unless healthcare changes to become more hassle-free, ‘people will look for the path of least resistance in how, when, and what they choose for care’.