For individual consumers, findings show that customized services which fit the specific needs of their community populations are stronger factors in hospital choice. Hospitals that assess the health of people in a community and then plan appropriate programs are deemed important to 86 percent of consumers, and strongly influence the choice of hospital for almost three-quarters of consumers. Health care organizations are offering a wider range of services, more coverage options and are placing a grater emphasis on patient satisfaction and functional improvements, according to Olson. At the same time, addressing the needs of both groups is not easy. Successful health care providers will find ways to satisfy both.
Physicians remain a wild card.
While public outcry from physicians has been heard around the country in response to managed care pressure, the reality is that this is a time of opportunity for most physicians. Incomes are on the rise despite the fact that more physicians than ever are working as employees and in capitated environments. Nonetheless, physicians continue to respond to managed care pressures by consolidating and banding together in group practices. This trend will continue, and as overall care management replaces individual disease management, physicians will take on stronger strategic and governance roles with health care organizations. Likewise, few companies that supply physician management services are making a profit.