Healthcare Systems Confront Mandate for Change: Transformation Powered by AI and Digital Capabilities

Strategic Insights -

The healthcare industry is undergoing a significant shift as nearly 90% of healthcare executives agree that their organizations must fundamentally transform operations over the next five years to remain sustainable and meet evolving patient and market demands. The fifth annual report by Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm, reveals that digital transformation strategy has accelerated as a priority focus for the healthcare industry. Executives express cautious optimism that digital and AI capabilities will enable a transition from reactive to proactive care, enhancing access, personalizing the patient journey, and aligning resources to demand.

Key Takeaways:

  • 91% of health system executives agree that their organizations must "fundamentally change" their operations to overcome today's challenges and reposition themselves to thrive in the next five years.
  • ~50% identify persistent challenges, such as unaffordable care, inadequate patient access, and ineffective care models, which they believe will grow worse unless significant changes are made.
  • Executives predict that digital-first patient experiences and digitally enabled care will be the primary markers of high-performing health systems, surpassing organizational scale as a differentiator.
  • 90% of health system executives have already prioritized leveraging digital and AI capabilities to achieve their goals, which include transforming access (89%), personalizing the patient journey (86%), and fitting resources to demand (77%).
  • The two greatest differentiators of leading health systems in five years will be digital-first experience and digitally enabled care, as executives believe size will be less of a differentiator.
  • Four imperatives for healthcare leaders preparing for transformation are: embracing digital and AI capabilities, transforming access to care, personalizing the patient journey, and fitting resources to demand.

Statistics:

  • 61% of health system executives indicate that care is not affordable.
  • 52% say today's care models do not manage patient health and wellness effectively.
  • ~50% report patients don't have timely or convenient access to primary and specialty care.
  • 91% of health system executives agree that health systems must "fundamentally change" their operations to overcome today's challenges.
  • 90% of health system executives have already prioritized leveraging digital and AI capabilities to achieve their goals.
  • 89% of executives believe that transforming access is essential to achieving proactive care.
  • 86% of executives believe that personalizing the patient journey is critical.
  • 77% of executives believe fitting resources to demand is essential.
  • The report surveyed 150 health system executives in September 2025.

Sources:

  • The Chartis Group
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  • SOURCE The Chartis Group