The healthcare landscape has undergone a rapid transformation worldwide over the past decade. COVID-19 played a massive role in the rise of virtual care, catalyzing the rapid adoption of telehealth technologies, changing the course of the field over the next decade.
Now, healthcare professionals are already looking to leverage other virtual tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI). New and emerging technologies will revolutionize healthcare over the next decade, but they will require comprehensive training.
Education will play a critical role in preparing the current and next generation of professionals for the technology-driven future of healthcare. For example, courses like Rockhurst online nursing programs from Rockhurst University online are helping equip nurses with the advanced skills necessary to thrive in this future system.
The United States is also facing multiple complex public health crises. For example, the workforce shortage and mental health crisis. This article will guide you through how these problems are already changing our healthcare landscape and what to expect over the next decade.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare
According to Deloitte’s 2026 US Health Care Outlook Survey, the second-highest strategic priority for US health care leaders this year is scaling generative AI and agentic AI use to modernize operations across all functions.
It’s expected that many healthcare leaders will be investing in digital and artificial intelligence tools to improve the quality of care and streamline processes. According to Deloitte’s report, consumers are prioritizing digital experiences and accessibility, which AI can help with by reducing the need for in-person doctor visits.
Over the next decade, people can expect that artificial intelligence will become widely adopted throughout healthcare. Professionals in the field are already using AI to help diagnose, treat, and manage patients. Some examples include:
- Cancer screening and skin checks
- Automatically scribing/recording appointments
- Clinical decision support
- Chatbots to assist users in finding information
- Streamlining administrative tasks
There are a few challenges that will need to be addressed in the next few years regarding healthcare in artificial intelligence, however. Primarily, patient privacy and data collection are the main concerns. Strict regulations and policies will be required to protect confidentiality and ensure ethical use.
Healthcare workforce shortage
The United States is currently experiencing a workforce shortage that has only worsened since COVID-19. Pandemic pressure in 2022 led to an estimated 100,000 registered nurses leaving due to either stress, burnout, or retirement.
Statistics for other healthcare professions aren’t faring any better, either. It’s forecasted by The National Center for Health Workforce that there will be a national shortage of 140,000 physicians by 2036.
Currently, over 93 million Americans live in a designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) with an inadequate number of primary caregivers. There would need to be over 15,000 more practitioners to fill this gap.
Over the next decade, the workforce shortage across all sectors of healthcare is only expected to worsen. Additionally, demand for care is only going to grow as the population in the United States is aging.
The mental health crisis
The United States is also facing a complex substance use and mental health crisis across all ages. Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveal that more than 1 in 20 U.S. adults report experiencing serious mental illness every year.
The number of teenagers reporting poor mental health has also increased in recent years, with the situation expected to worsen due to inaccessibility and gaps in care. NAMI reports that suicide is still one of the leading causes of death for the 10 – 24 age group.
Alongside the workforce shortage, one of the biggest contributors to the mental health crisis is how inaccessible care is. Approximately 47% of the U.S. population lives in an area experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals.
Even for people living in areas with mental health professionals, there are significant delays and barriers to access. The median wait time for in-person and telepsychiatry appointments in the U.S. ranges from 43 to 67 days.
Demand for mental health care services is growing faster than professionals can meet it. One journal reports that less than 20% of psychiatrists investigated were accepting new patients. Over the next decade, the mental health crisis is only expected to worsen unless the healthcare system leverages new technologies and invests in its workforce.
