The US healthcare system has already undergone significant change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic climate.

Three primary forces will continue to transform it: talent, technology and legal, social, demographic, environmental, and regulatory trends.

1. TALENT

The healthcare workers of the future will need to evolve into skilled workers who have the knowledge, attitudes and competencies to win the 4th industrial revolution. That will mean reskilling, lifelong learning and an emphasis on skills, not credentials.

The higher education model will change, professional schools, like medical schools will change and how industry and governments model and support workforce development will change. White males without college degrees will be a particularly attractive political target.

Here is a glimpse into the future of sickcare work.

2. TECHNOLOGY

All of us have already experienced the impact of information and communications technologies on how we access and use medical services, most noticeably telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. Look for the invention, dissemination and implementation of others that will deliver user and stakeholder defined value.

Artificial intelligence is the latest shiny new object.

3. TRENDS

We live under volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous conditions. We cannot predict the future. Consequently, the winners and losers will be defined by those who are best at responding to the inevitable environmental changes and their potential impact creating user defined value through the deployment of innovation using a VAST business model.

Here are some tips on how to bridge the now and the new.

The pandemic, social unrest, and depressed economy are requiring leaders to be especially sensitive to the impact of their words and actions on others. In this article, the authors describe four categories of training programs that leaders or leadership teams can use to help them overcome their blind spots.

Marcus Aurelius—who, as an emperor, had more control over his environment than most—was also the pen behind these lines: “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Don't be the one who turns out the lights for the last time because you just didn't see it coming.

Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs