Apps, privacy top PwC's list of top healthcare concerns for 2015

New research from PricewaterhouseCooper's Health Research Institute found that "do-it-yourself healthcare" is the top healthcare issue for 2015 with more than half (52 percent) of clinicians saying they are comfortable with mobile apps and devices monitoring vital signs. The institute surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers and healthcare officials and learned that mobile health apps as a regular part of healthcare was the No. 2 issue. The majority (86 percent) of clinicians surveyed believe mobile apps are poised to become more significant for patient health over the next five years. The Food and Drug Administration has approved almost 100 mobile app products, according to PwC data, and this "market shift" toward mHealth "will require digital health companies to bolster their regulatory know-how," researchers report.  Coming in as the third top issue is a balance between privacy and convenience. More than two-thirds (65 percent) of consumers said they consider health information security more important than convenient access to test results, prescriptions and doctors' notes. Another 68 percent of consumers said they also were concerned about smartphone health app data security and 78 percent about medical data security.  "With consumers leading the way, bearing more costs and making more decisions, change is erupting throughout the health industry," said Kelly Barnes, PwC's U.S. health industries leader, in a release. "Established healthcare companies and new entrants are rapidly developing cost-efficient products and services tailored directly to consumers."

Completing this list of top healthcare issues for 2015 are the following:

4. The costliest 1 percent of patients account for 20 percent of healthcare spending. 5. Incorporating genomic research into treatment decisions remains a challenge--53 percent of consumers said they were not willing to pay for genomic testing.6. The health industry will begin to feel the effects of transparency.7. The 10 million newly insured individuals will impact providers and payers.8. Physician extenders will see an expanded role in patient care.9. Redefining well-being for millennials and healthcare companies looking for new, innovative ways to engage the next generation.10. Partner to win--joint ventures, open collaboration platforms and non-traditional partnerships will push healthcare companies toward new competitive strategies. Access the complete report.