With 2020 nearly over, the healthcare industry has come together and faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with incredible strength and resolve. Collectively, though, we at Lightbeam are ready to have it behind us and look forward to welcoming even more innovation in 2021! Several of our team members are sharing what they predict will be at the forefront this coming year.
“I predict that in 2021, the things we learned throughout COVID-19 and the policy changes will continue to play a major role in treating patients. More than ever, I believe digital health solutions and platforms like remote patient monitoring (RPM) will continue to be heavily used in the virtual care shift. I also predict there will be greater opportunities to virtually treat behavioral health with the increased social isolation, anxiety, and depression experienced by many throughout the pandemic.”
– Christine DiNoia, BSN, RN, Clinical Transformation Advisor
“In 2021, I think the healthcare industry will continue to streamline current processes that improve care quality through more remote and electronic means. During the year of COVID-19, we have learned a lot about doing things differently for high-risk populations through virtual care, and I do not think it will be going anywhere. ”
– Mike Hoxter, Chief Technology Officer
“Undoubtedly, 2021 will be a catch-up year. Given the missed data opportunities throughout 2020, providers must take operations back to the basics to recapture HCCs and close care gaps to make up for lost time and data. We also know that in 2021, the weight of the CAHPS® survey measures will increase by four times, and organizations that have done well with HEDIS must place a greater focus on patient experience. ”
– Cindy Dyer, Product Manager
“In 2021, I anticipate increased interest in FHIR interoperability and related resources. Since the passage of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s (ONC) 21st Century Cures Act and other legislation, organizations will be mandated to have things like FHIR APIs and FHIR resource integration beginning next year. ”
– Brian Russell, Director of Integration
“I believe that the healthcare system will continue to rebound and adapt after facing unbelievable strain in the fight against COVID-19 this year. In 2021, I predict the industry will use what it has learned and further emphasize the need for patient-centered are, enhanced interoperability and analytics, social determinants of health (SDoH) solutions, and virtual health management.”
– Carrie Roth, Manager of HIE Implementations
As for me, in 2021, I predict the use of wearable devices for remote patient monitoring (RPM) will only grow, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. RPM devices help providers tremendously with telehealth and virtual monitoring outside of the exam room. In recent years, we have learned that RPM promotes positive behavior among patients. Now, it offers additional protection for patients at the highest risk.
From all of us at Lightbeam Health Solutions, we wish you the very best in this long-awaited new year.
Eric Rosenberger is Lightbeam’s Marketing Director.