Understanding the Industry Drivers for Electronic Health Records (Market Focus)

The healthcare industry, driven by shifting demographics & rising costs, has reached a point at which it must deliver care more effectively & efficiently. This focus fuels the industry's need & readiness for rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). Although several dynamics underscore why the industry is ready, there are challenges to address before EHRs enter the mainstream.

• Examines US, Canada, UK, and Australia as examples of national healthcare IT agendas
• Builds on ongoing primary research with physicians, consumers, healthcare organizations

Healthcare globally has reached a crossroads. EHR is an integral part of national healthcare agendas and information infrastructures. Yet national EHR initiatives are only part of the equation and several challenges need to be addressed.

• Gain high-level insight into national health information network developments
• Align your strategy with developments in the healthcare industry

DATAMONITOR VIEW

CATALYST

SUMMARY

METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS

Healthcare globally has reached a crossroads

Healthcare costs continue to account for increasing proportions of GDP

Demographic shifts will overburden existing health systems

Public health concerns are becoming more global

EHR is an integral part of national healthcare agendas and information infrastructures

International efforts toward EHR share common challenges and goals

There is no "one size fits all" approach to national EHR initiatives

The UK's National Health Service is taking a centralized approach

Australia and Canada have adopted a hybrid approach

The US shows the greatest degree of decentralization in its approach

Yet national EHR initiatives are only part of the equation

Implementation of EHRs relies on information sharing

Stakeholder education and incentive programs need to be ongoing

Other technology initiatives will drive adoption of EHR

ACTIONS

Technology may be the easiest problem for your customers to address

Cross-country comparisons can prove valuable

Vendors can play a crucial role in nudging the industry along

APPENDIX

Definitions

Extended methodology

Further reading

Ask the analyst

List of Figures

Figure 1: Healthcare expenditures continue to increase as a percentage of GDP across several countries

Figure 2: Demographic shifts will overburden existing health systems worldwide