The future of health care in general is facing numerous challenges in the United States and globally. All health care fields are changing at a rapid pace putting strategic planning of health care institutions and service under immense pressure. Some of the factors affecting operation of this sector include healthcare reforms, IT (including EMR), quality accreditation, rising costs, and Medicaid program. Other institutions such as insurance companies also affect the operation of medical facilities. Market demand for health care services determines the kind of services offered by medical centers. Health care organizations must restructure their operation in line with these external factors. These factors also influence the operational directions or strategies taken by medical facilities.

The healthcare reforms have a significant impact on the operation of medical facilities . These reforms overhauls the way medical services are offered. These reforms require healthcare organizations to follow certain rules that aim to make their services affordable and easily accessible to patients. For instance, the reforms make it compulsory for medical facilities to provide services to all people without any discrimination. This increases the demand of health care services. Medical organizations must, therefore, restructure their operations in order to meet the rapidly growing demand resulting from the health reforms. These organizations should expand their facilities and employ more personnel to provide care to the increasing number of people.

The EMR has become mandatory for all health care facilities. The health care reforms force organizations to use the EMR in their operations. Clinics and hospitals must incorporate an efficient information system into their daily operation. Integrated HIS requires medical organizations to restructure their operations and accommodate to the HIS. For instance, hospitals management will have to train their workers on how to use these new systems. Restructuring their workforce may also be necessary since HIS may take the roles performed by other workers. The EMR may force organizations to employ more IT staff to monitor the system. In addition, the EMR increases the operational costs of medical organizations since these systems require high capital amounts for their maintenance. Medical centers must therefore seriously consider the role of EMR in their operations as well as when developing their strategies.

According to Kovner, medical organizations must design strategies that help to reduce the rising cost of medical services. Medical costs have been spiraling over the past 10 years. Many patients are unable to afford medical care, especially those without insurance cover. This has resulted in numerous patients preferring home care as opposed to inpatient one. The rising costs of medical care necessitate organizations establishing strategies of reducing their operating expenses. Organizations must eliminate or reduce high cost services such as radiology. Restructuring organizations human resource is equally necessary to reduce labor costs retrenching workers whose functions can be performed by the new HIS. The EMR is responsible for the high costs incurred by medical facilities. These organizations must establish strategies to eliminate unnecessary IT costs by eliminating processes not used in organizations operation.

The quickly aging population will affect the future activities of medical organizations. This is because the demand for health care services increases as the population ages. The aging population will strain the demand for services designed for care of the elderly. This will increase the reliance on Medicaid programs and other programs for the elderly such as screening programs for hypertension. Organizations must expand their services to meet this growing demand. This requires employment of more nurses to provide care to the expected high number of senior citizens. The cost of medical care will consequently increase. These external factors affect the operation of health care organizations. Medical centers must therefore seriously consider these factors in order to cope with the current challenges.