Healthcare Strategic Growth Blog

Reconsidering the Value this Data Set Provides

By Daniel Dreaden

Most states have access to their own state data, though the value of this data is often overshadowed by other data sets. In this blog, we’ll look at the top three things you need to know about your state data - and why you should reconsider the value it provides.

Combat the Trends and Get Patients the Care they Need

By Daniel Dreaden

Research shows that regular check-ins with a primary care provider can lead to the early detection of major healthcare concerns. It can also keep chronic problems like diabetes, asthma, and congestive heart failure from turning into emergencies and costly hospital stays. And yet, nearly half of all Americans say they or someone they live with has delayed care since the onslaught of coronavirus, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

While fears of COVID continue to be, not surprisingly, a major factor keeping patients from visiting their doctor, there are other concerns to be considered as well. A Zocdoc survey shows that Americans across the board—especially Millennials—are dropping out of healthcare. These stats may surprise you:

How Patients are Utilizing this Convenient Form of On-demand Care

By Daniel Dreaden

Urgent care centers continue to be a popular alternative for patients in need of care that fits their busy schedules. The convenience of these clinics—with longer hours and broader availability—is appealing to patients seeking fast, reliable relief to minor injuries and illnesses. 

As providers look to meet these needs by opening new urgent care clinics, it helps to know the top diseases being treated at these facilities. The list of diseases shown in the infographic below provides a helpful starting point for urgent care placement discussions. 

Facts and Trends You Need to Know

By Daniel Dreaden

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, providing an opportunity for everyone to become familiar with the facts and prevention methods associated with this disease. Consider this: more than 3.8 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with breast cancer and it kills more than 42,000 people each year. How can we all work together to reduce the incidents of this disease in the years to come? 

Extensive research has been done to determine the actual factors that increase risk. (For more information on that research, see Factors That Affect Breast Cancer Risk at Susan G. Komen®.) Some of the risk factors that have been studied include: weight gain, race and ethnicity, inherited gene mutations, menopausal hormone therapy, and exercise.

Take some time this month to learn more, including reviewing and sharing our infographic below. Then consider donating to research efforts aimed at reducing the incidents of this disease.

How to Grow and Stay Relevant in the Evolving Healthcare Space

By Morgan Atkins and Daniel Dreaden

It has been predicted that 2019 will be marked by many changes in the healthcare industry. The progression towards more cost effective and convenient healthcare will continue to motivate mergers and acquisitions that will disrupt the status quo and alter the way consumers interface with this industry.

"In overwhelming numbers, consumers are willing to abandon old [healthcare] models for more efficient, convenient care… We are seeing this go far beyond flu shots." Ceci Connolly, managing director of PwC's Health Research Institute, said during a webinar on the study.

The shifting dynamics of healthcare will continue to drive providers of all sizes to remain flexible and open to new possibilities. Here are four ways hospitals can embrace these changes, stay competitive, and see growth in 2019.