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The basics:
- Panelists highlight the importance of balancing access, affordability in health care
- AI adoption helping providers improve diagnostics, patient outreach & reduce staff burnout
- Barriers like telehealth access, technology literacy & cost remain challenges for underserved populations
As part of NJBIZ’s latest virtual discussion, health care executives in New Jersey spoke about current trends in technology, practice and policy within their industry.
Moderated by NJBIZ Editor Jeffrey Kanige, the Sept. 30 panel featured:
During the 90-minute roundtable discussion, panelists addressed barriers in behavioral health, how artificial intelligence is reshaping patient care and ways to expand health care access where it’s needed most. Additionally, they spoke about workforce challenges.
A more detailed recap will appear in the Oct. 6 issue of NJBIZ.
Access and affordability
When it comes to whether the industry should prioritize affordability or accessibility, participants said professionals must pursue both areas simultaneously to truly improve health care. Patient outreach is also equally important, they said.
“The goal is really to understand the communities and the population health you serve to understand access and affordability,” said Tank. “And then putting clear satellite areas of either wellness centers or the ambulatory practices, because the days of having those traditional models of you only come to a hospital, as we all know, are gone.”
Tank went on to say, “Education is key. The question is really making sure that you are educating. Health care providers may know so many things. If you cannot translate that education into simple speak, we are going to struggle.”
She also stressed the value of partnering with community groups or religious organizations to help facilitate events where the health care industry can connect with patients.
Antishin said, “It’s hard to get individuals into an office or location when they’re feeling good … A lot of it really comes down to patient education. You can have all the access that you need and all the affordability you need, but if you can’t educate your patients to come in and take advantage of those maintenance-type of visits to make sure that they’re being checked when they should be checked, it really is for naught.”
Let’s get real (estate)
With more and more health systems investing in ambulatory care facilities designed to bring services and specialists out of the hospital and into the community, Marks noted those sites are typically in heavily trafficked areas, such as retail corridors.
“And unfortunately, a lot of that is retail pricing for new development, which is actually more costly … That’s where the strategy comes in. Where you can look at what the throughput is of the practice, of the hospital. Looking at how to co-locate, looking at how to utilize space efficiently and effectively,” he said. “Being able to provide a setting that is efficient and effective should drive down overall costs … over a larger portfolio.”
Replay: Trends in Health Care
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Over the past four years, HMH has opened four health and wellness centers across New Jersey (Clifton, Paramus, Clark and Eatontown) as a way to make health care easier and more convenient. A fifth location is coming soon to Metropark Station in Woodbridge.
Along with launching new urgent care providers in Wyckoff, Hoboken and West Orange, HMH has also partnered with Amazon One Medical to add at least 20 clinics in New Jersey over the next few years.
In partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, Amazon One Medical opened an office in Edgewater and plans to add at least 20 clinics in New Jersey over the next few years. – PROVIDED BY HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Additionally, HMH just rolled out two state-of-the-art mobile screening centers. The vehicles offer free health checks and wellness services in underserved communities.
Tank said, “It’s about creating those accessibilities and creating that awareness that you can step in anytime when you do need any health care demand … I think the goal is no matter where you are and how much you know, is how do you create multiple touch points … At Hackensack Meridian, we’re truly creating what we call a ‘hospital without walls’ and trying to understand prevention before being reactive.”
Virtual issues
Panelists also pointed out that not everyone has access to telehealth — many face barriers like unreliable internet, lack of devices, limited tech literacy or no coverage in their area.
Antishin said, “I think also providers and health care in general, as they begin to adopt artificial intelligence, I think it will arm them with more information than they currently have to help them target those populations that are underserved, whether it be by bricks-and-mortar or just by overall affordability … I think they’ll have more information in which to develop strategies for the underserved or lower access workers, our individuals.”
Roughly two-thirds of U.S. health care systems — including hospitals and physician practices — now use some form of AI, especially in electronic records, diagnostics and predictive tools. Usage has grown rapidly since 2023, with more expected to adopt it in the next couple of years, according to the American Medical Association.
Antishin said, “Burnout’s just not a physician thing. Burnout is prevalent with nurses and with your peer medical staff. But, AI and leveraging the power of AI will help that … It’s not going to solve it, but it will help relieve the burden of burnout in a care delivery type of situation.”
