Healthcare industry includes establishments involved in healthcare, medical and surgical services, associations engaged in providing medical services, and the healthcare insurance sector. Healthcare delivery is witnessing unprecedented changes, with the influx of information technology (IT) and telemedicine, particularly in developing countries. Enhancement of IT standards is one of the key factors driving increased adoption of IT in the healthcare sector. Increased focus on lowering overhead costs, better protocols, and process optimization are expected to address major challenges such as integration and interoperability in healthcare IT industry.
Through investment in e-booking, telemedicine, e-prescribing, and electronic health records, governments are encouraging the integration of IT solutions in the healthcare sector. Although such advancements are still in a nascent stage, the immense potential offered by them is anticipated to ensure effective delivery of healthcare services. Parameters such as construction of a common health information platform, promoting usage of telehealth systems, and streamlining of healthcare monitoring operations are also critical for efficient operations in the healthcare services market.
Developing countries present enormous growth opportunities in the healthcare sector, owing to the unavailability of services to a large section of the population. Growth in the sector is influenced by factors such as large population with unmatched demand-supply levels, rising income levels, increased penetration of health insurance, and varying disease profiles. While investments in infrastructure facilities have grown considerably in recent years, healthcare delivery market is yet to attain similar success due to absence of standardized procedures, and low insurance penetration. A major trend witnessed in the healthcare sector is the growing popularity of medical tourism. Rising medical expenditure, increasing insurance premiums, and expensive treatments in the west are allowing countries such as India to emerge as favored destinations for low cost and superior quality medical treatment.
Increasing life expectancy rates, an aging worldwide population, and chronic illnesses are pressurizing the existing healthcare services sector. The industry is further challenged by the complex and difficult to manage processes of healthcare delivery services. Despite the phenomenal advancements made in the fields of science and technology, surgical techniques and treatments, drugs, and devices, healthcare delivery system has often failed to keep pace with the changes. With current advances in genomics, sensor technologies, nanotechnology, and information and communication technologies, the complexities of science and technology in healthcare are anticipated to increase.
The report, titled "Healthcare Services: A Global Outlook", provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report details the prevailing situation in the world healthcare delivery system, and provides extensive coverage of all the recent mergers, and acquisitions that have irreversibly changed the industry's landscape. The scenario in the US market i.e. organization of the delivery system and its pitfalls, the impact of IT, mounting cost pressures, and operational efficiencies, have all been captured for a greater macro level understanding of the market. Other markets briefly summarized to offer the reader a prelude to regional level dynamics include Canada, Mexico, Europe, Denmark, and Germany, among others. Also included is an indexed, easy-to-refer, fact-finder directory listing the addresses, and contact details of 262 companies worldwide.
For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Healthcare_Services_Industry_Market_Report.asp.
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Quelle/Source: PR Web, 09.09.2008
