In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, technology and health equity lead the charge in transformative change.
As 2025 approaches, Chris Frost, MD, Senior Executive at Lifepoint Health, and Dr. Shawn Griffin, President and CEO of URAC, share their expert insights into the industry’s future. Both recognized as influential leaders, they actively shape the trajectory of patient care, champion health equity, and drive innovation in regulatory frameworks.
Their perspectives offer a powerful glimpse into how these critical areas will evolve, reshaping how healthcare is delivered and experienced in the coming years.
Key Takeaways
Healthcare is expected to undergo significant transformations by 2025, driven by technological advancements, health equity initiatives, and regulatory changes.
- Technological breakthroughs such as ambient listening technology and virtual sitting technology will revolutionize patient care and streamline health services.
- Telehealth and remote monitoring technologies will become increasingly pivotal in ensuring continued access to care, particularly for underserved communities.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in streamlining clinical workflows, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes.
The role of health tech in transforming care
Technological breakthroughs in the medical field will dramatically transform how clinicians interact with patients and streamline health services by 2025.
One of the most exciting innovations poised for widespread adoption is ambient listening technology. This cutting-edge tool leverages AI to automatically capture and analyze patient conversations, dramatically reducing the administrative load on health professionals.
With the need for note-taking during consultations eliminated, clinicians can redirect their focus to what matters most—enhancing the quality of patient care.
In addition, Dr. Frost forecasts a surge in the use of virtual sitting technology in hospitals, a game-changing initiative designed to lower the incidence of patient falls and boost nurse response times.
As health institutions embrace increasingly sophisticated technologies, the focus will shift toward improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, optimizing resource allocation, and delivering more personalized care that truly meets individual needs.
Health equity at a crossroads
Health equity remains one of the most urgent and complex challenges in the healthcare sector, demanding immediate attention.
Dr. Frost foresees substantial obstacles ahead, warning that efforts to achieve equity in medical services could become mired in political controversy over the next year.
Despite this, he maintains an optimistic view, emphasizing that technology is key to overcoming these challenges. By integrating innovative solutions, especially in underserved areas, technology can close the gaps in healthcare access, ensuring that no one is left behind.
With the looming physician shortage expected to reach nearly 90,000 by 2036, telehealth will play an increasingly pivotal role in ensuring continued access to care.
Dr. Frost anticipates that remote patient monitoring and therapeutic monitoring will become essential for adjusting care plans in real time. These solutions will allow clinicians to assess and treat patients virtually, enhancing both accessibility and equity.
The growing influence of AI in healthcare
Dr. Frost emphasizes that AI will help streamline clinical workflows.
“We are going to be dependent on providing access to care through telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and remote therapeutic monitoring,” he stated.
By filtering out irrelevant data, AI will allow clinicians to focus on providing high-quality care, reducing burnout, and improving efficiency.
In 2025, remote patient monitoring will complement remote therapeutic tracking, according to Dr. Frost.
Remote patient monitoring enables clinicians to track disease progression by gathering data on key indicators. For conditions like congestive heart failure, this often involves daily weight tracking, while hypertension requires multiple blood pressure readings throughout the day.
With this data, care teams can adjust treatments such as diuretic doses or blood pressure medications.
In Dr. Frost’s view, remote therapeutic monitoring takes this approach a step further, enhancing the level of care provided remotely.
Dr. Griffin shares a similar opinion, emphasizing the role of advanced technologies in enhancing patient care. He envisions tools that support clinicians by organizing patient information and offering real time recommendations, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions quickly.
The swift integration of these solutions will ensure that such technologies become integral to healthcare delivery, assisting in both diagnostics and treatment planning.
Impact of regulatory changes on healthcare
As regulatory bodies evolve, their impact on medical care provision becomes more pronounced.
Experts like Dr. Frost and Dr. Griffin focus on how these shifts shape the industry. With his experience working with URAC, Dr. Griffin has navigated complex regulatory frameworks to ensure healthcare providers uphold high standards.
His advocacy for health equity includes promoting new accreditation processes to hold organizations accountable for equitable services, reflecting a broader shift in the regulatory landscape.
Dr. Frost, focusing on telehealth and remote monitoring technologies, believes the regulatory framework must adapt to support these services.
As healthcare increasingly moves toward digital solutions, he predicts that regulatory bodies will develop new guidelines to maintain patient safety and data security, ensuring responsible evolution of the sector.
Enhancing patient-centered care
Improving patient-centered care is a key focus for the future of health services, with technological advancements playing a central role.
By 2025, innovations such as ambient listening and AI will provide clinicians with tools to prioritize what matters most: the patient. AI-driven documentation and workflow automation are expected to enable health providers to spend more time with patients, improving care quality.
Equitable access to treatment is another critical aspect of patient-centered care. Ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or location, have access to the support they need is vital.
Developing quality standards and accreditation processes prioritizing patient outcomes will set a nationwide model for health organizations.
Both Frost and Dr. Griffin have contributed to advancing these efforts, focusing on improving patient care and equity.
The future of healthcare accessibility
Healthcare accessibility will remain a central focus in the years ahead, with technology playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of care.
Dr. Frost and Dr. Griffin both emphasize that innovation will be crucial in overcoming barriers, especially for underserved communities that face significant challenges in accessing quality health services.
As we grapple with workforce challenges, any technology that we can leverage that allows our clinicians and our nursing staff to practice at the top of their licenses rather than be distracted with other tasks is going to be helpful
Dr. Chris Frost
As demand for medical care continues to rise and the shortage of physicians deepens, telehealth services are set to become a vital lifeline. By offering convenient access to medical consultations and support, telehealth will not only help bridge the gap but also revolutionize how care is delivered, making it more accessible and efficient for those who need it most.
Dr. Griffin’s ongoing efforts at URAC aim to ensure that all individuals have access to quality care, regardless of geographic location.
He continues to champion initiatives that promote medical access, from developing accreditation standards to advocating for policies that expand telehealth and remote monitoring services.
Conclusion: navigating the future of healthcare
Dr. Griffin and Dr. Frost drive transformative changes in the medical field, pushing innovations that reshape care delivery. By championing advancements in technology and prioritizing health equity, they actively shape the future of treatment, leaving lasting effects on clinicians, patients, and policymakers alike.
The next few years will bring exciting innovations, particularly in AI and telehealth, that will revolutionize how care is delivered.
By improving accessibility, enhancing patient-centered care, and promoting regulatory advancements, the health system is set to become more efficient and equitable.
As Dr. Frost and Dr. Griffin continue to advocate for progress, the broader medical landscape will experience significant improvements that will benefit both patients and providers.
About URAC and Lifepoint Health
URAC, an independent nonprofit, focuses on advancing healthcare quality through rigorous accreditation, data-driven measurement, and targeted education.
Recognized for its leadership in the industry, it partners with healthcare organizations to drive improvements in access, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Lifepoint Health is a national provider dedicated to serving patients, clinicians, communities, and partners across the care continuum.
Its extensive network includes over 50,000 employees, 60 community hospitals, more than 60 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and 250 additional care sites.
Through its Lifepoint Forward initiative, the organization drives innovation to enhance quality, expand access, and deliver value in the communities it serves.
