Technology and patient consumerism are two of the top factors contributing to the growth of outpatient facilities such as ASCs, primary care clinics and urgent care centers, according to Definitive Healthcare's 2019 outpatient trends report.
Definitive Healthcare surveyed 188 healthcare leaders on outpatient trends to compile its report.
Five trends to know:
1. New technologies such as advanced imaging, telehealth and mobile apps are contributing the most to outpatient growth, 37.3 percent of survey respondents said.
2. Consumerism in the form of patients seeking low-cost medical care is the second largest contributor to outpatient growth, according to 31.6 percent of respondents.
3. Increases in Medicare reimbursement is a factor in outpatient growth, 15.3 percent of respondents said, as MedPAC encourages CMS to shift care to the ASC setting.
4. With the adoption of patient technologies such as online bill pay and self-registration, 14.1 percent of respondents said patients may prefer outpatient facilities with shorter wait times.
5. Lastly, 1.6 percent of respondents said reduced risk of patient injury contributes to outpatient growth.