MARKET RESEARCH AND SEGMENTATION (SLP)

TRENDS

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Trends impacting the inpatient or outpatient setting.

Among the trends impacting the outpatient and inpatient setting are Telehealth services and insurance services (Kronenfeld, 2002). The reduction of the insurance coverage along with the rising cost of basic needs such as gas and food has contributed to the reduction in the number of inpatients seeking for the care for illnesses, drug refills, and also various health care measures. Additionally, in the case when there are limited resources in the healthcare settings, it is anticipated that number of the patients who will be visiting the emergency department will rise with case of the acute diseases. Moreover, with the new law on insurance, a huge amount of the money will be allocated to the healthcare settings. Additionally, with the rise of the pressure to reduce cost, there is the probability that taxes will height to ensure that the medical insurance will cover a large number of people. Technological development made it possible for the homecare service via e-visits which aided in offering services or solutions to the outpatients. Moreover, Telehealth entails utilization of the electronic means to offer healthcare service to outpatients. The technologies applied offers services such as video conferencing, email exchange, remote monitoring, and exchange of emails.

Positive and negative impacts of the identified trends

Both trends have merits and demerits. For instance, health insurance has that positive impact such reducing the mortality rates among the citizens of United States (Shi & Singh, 2014). On the other hand, it has negative impacts such as there is a likelihood it will impact the economy system of the nation resulting in the rise of cost of the basic needs or resources. Moreover, when we consider the Telehealth it will be advantageous since it will offer adequate information related to illness or health status of a patient thus improving the health care. On the other hand, Telehealth has negative impacts such as it will be very expensive to implement and maintain this technology which will incur a cost (Kronenfeld, 2002).

Are the trends you have identified sustainable?

Yes, the trends will be sustainable. Even though they have some serious effects in future, the health insurance cover is sustainable. Moreover, the trend may prove to be costly in future because the national government might be forced to increases tax rates to cater the increasing population.

References

Kronenfeld, J. J. (2002). Health care policy : issues and trends. Westport, Ct.: Praeger.

Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2014). Delivering health care in America. Jones & Bartlett Learning.