Innovation, behavioral health, cybersecurity and consolidation are some of the trends that will be impacting healthcare in 2016, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC’s) Health Research Institute (HRI).

PwC’s annual report, “Top Health Industry Issues for 2016,” highlights the top 10 forces across three themes expected to have the most impact on the industry in the coming year.

• Innovation: Sixty percent of consumers are willing to have a video visit with a physician through their mobile device, while 58 percent of clinicians would rather provide a portion of care virtually. New high-tech databases will allow for data analysis that can unlock new insights, according to PwC.
• Access to care: PwC expects biosimilars to be introduced to the market next year. These substitutes for branded biologic drugs are expected to bring down drug prices, with four poised for approval and another 50 in the FDA review process. Expect to hear more about behavioral health in 2016 although more than half of U.S. counties have no practicing mental health clinicians.
• Troubleshooting issues in the new health economy: PwC expects consolidation to reshape healthcare in 2016, with three major players dominating the field. The firm also expects more cybersecurity threats, especially around medical devices.

“After more than a decade of identifying the top health industry trends we are finally starting to see the creation of a new health economy–a health system that is more connected, transparent and patient-centric,” said Kelly Barnes, PwC's US health industries leader. “2016 will be marked by how well the sector balances greater demand with rising costs, and handles trends such as industry consolidation and the increase of consumer technology in healthcare. But there is much more work that needs to be done in forging new ways of receiving, paying for and delivering care, and it will be businesses that put addressing consumer needs and increasing value first that should succeed.”

Access the complete report.