Wondering what healthcare will look like in 2010?

Every year PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute publishes a report outlining the key issues facing the healthcare industry for the coming year. 2010 will be a year of opportunity if done right.

The report, called Squeezing the juice out of healthcare, says in 2010:

As the United States emerges from recession, the health industries have an opportunity to move forward if organizations can effectively leverage relationships, understand the impact of pending reform and potential regulatory changes, and respond to changing consumer demands.

Here are the top 10 health issues that health providers, including insurers, hospitals, and physicians will need to think about and tackle:

1. Reducing costs
2. Regulatory change
3. Incentives and value-based purchasing
4. Focus on fraud
5. Improvements in technology
6. Prevention efforts including clinical effectiveness, product safety and wellness
7. Physician involvement from doctors seeking greater stability and electronic connectivity
8. Alternate care models
9. Disaster planning
10. Social responsibility

David Chin, MD, a leader of the institute says, “The primary emphasis for all healthcare organizations in the year ahead will be on reducing costs and creating greater value in the health system.”

Post your comments below. Let us know what changes you would like to see.

This post first appeared at Action for Better Healthcare.