Trends in the healthcare ecosystem indicate that some parts of patient care are shifting to the home setting. There is increasing pressure from payers and insurers to reduce the cost of medical care and increase the adoption of value-based care models. New models like the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program are intended to link a portion of payments to a healthcare provider’s performance, based on quality of care and patient outcomes.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced how care is delivered. Accenture research conducted in the early days of the pandemic indicates that nearly 50% of patients were getting treatment at home and 62% of healthcare providers thought patients would be more interested in home-administration of treatment.

Patient and healthcare provider expectations are leaning toward at-home care, where the patient can be more comfortable and have a better quality of life. Our research found that virtual consultations were valued by our survey respondents, with 22% feeling confident about their virtual healthcare appointment.

Furthermore, the consumerization of medical technology presents new opportunities. In an Accenture survey, 8% of respondents reported that they have used remote patient monitoring to track symptoms or a condition and share data with a medical professional. And 8% used digital therapeutics. These tools are easy to use by patients and give healthcare providers new insights to inform their care decisions. They are also disrupting the MedTech landscape.