ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHIA), a global leader in health technology, released the first chapter of its annual Future Health Index, which focuses on how healthcare systems can accelerate their journey to value-based healthcare. The U.S. performed well in data collection as compared with other countries examined in the report (42.96 vs 16-country average of 28.57). But with the lack of a universal health record, steps to proper care are hindered. Satisfaction with the healthcare system is below average: The U.S. falls short for both healthcare professional (44.45 vs 16-country average of 52.66) and general population (46.48 vs 16-country average of 53.05) satisfaction, overall.

There is also a clear lack of trust in the healthcare system in the U.S., with 62 percent of healthcare professionals, and only 40 percent of the general population trusting the system. Across the countries analyzed, the U.S. has a higher than average density of skilled healthcare professionals (117 vs 109 per 10,000 people), but it also has a lower than average number of hospital beds (29 vs 38 per 10,000 people). This gap demonstrates the U.S. healthcare’s focus on outpatient services and the need for access to sub specialties and care in more rural areas.

Why value-based healthcare might hold the answer
Value-based healthcare describes a system that aims to increase access to care and improve patient outcomes at optimum cost. With hospitals moving away from billing on volume, and instead focusing on patient status, it provides the missing connection between patients and providers/healthcare systems that is necessary for trust to thrive. Value-based care is a people-centric approach that spans the entire health continuum; providing the right care in the right place, at the right time and the right level of cost.

Healthcare professionals will have a greater opportunity to implement value-based care and provide a better patient experience with improved outcomes as integrated data becomes more ingrained. The use of universal healthcare records can boost data collection among healthcare professionals because it helps eliminate disparate sets of data and silos within the healthcare system.

“At Philips we are working on telehealth and artificial intelligence solutions that can help break down the barriers between hospital and home, giving patients an alternative way to connect with healthcare professionals, both improving access to care and their satisfaction,” said Vitor Rocha, CEO, Philips North America. “With value-based care, we can put the emphasis back on the patient, not profits and create the kind of solutions that improve diagnostic confidence and patient outcomes, while at the same time reducing costs. Only then can we engender trust in the U.S. healthcare system and bridge the gap between healthcare professionals and the general population.”

Health IT Homepage