Since 2016, Royal Philips has conducted original research to help determine the readiness of countries to address global health challenges and build efficient and effective health systems. In the context of ever-growing pressure on resources and costs, the Future Health Index focuses on the crucial role digital tools and connected care technology can play in delivering more affordable, integrated and sustainable healthcare.
In 2016, the Future Health Index measured perceptions of healthcare to produce a snapshot of how healthcare is experienced on both sides of the patient-professional divide. In 2017, it compared these perceptions to the reality of health systems in each country researched. In 2018, the Future Health Index identified key challenges to the large-scale adoption of value-based healthcare and overall improved access. It assessed where connected care technology can help speed up the healthcare transformation process. In 2019, the Future Health Index explored technology’s impact on two aspects of the Quadruple Aim: the healthcare experience for both patients and healthcare professionals1 and how technology is moving us to a new era of continuous transformation. In 2020, the Future Health Index examined the expectations and experiences of younger healthcare professionals aged under 40 and how they can be empowered to meet the demands of tomorrow’s healthcare.
The Future Health Index 2021 report considers how healthcare leaders* are meeting the demands of today and what the new reality of healthcare post-crisis might look like. Specifically, the report explores the challenges they have faced, their investment in digital health technology, and a new emphasis on partnerships, sustainability and new models of care delivery, both inside and outside the hospital.
The research for the 2021 Future Health Index was conducted in 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, China**, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States).
To provide a holistic understanding of the current healthcare systems around the world, the 2021 study combines a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews conducted from December 2020 – March 2021.
* Healthcare leader is defined as a C-suite or senior executive working in a hospital, medical practice, imaging center/office-based lab, or urgent care facility who is a final decision maker or has influence in making decisions.
**Survey data is representative of Mainland China only and does not include Taiwan or Hong Kong.
2021 quantitative survey methodology
In partnership with iResearch Services, a global business and consumer research services organization, a survey was fielded from December 8, 2020 – February 16, 2021 in 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States) in their native language. The survey used a mixed methodology of online and telephone across all of the countries (as relevant to the needs of each country) with a sample size of 200 per country. The survey length was approximately 20 minutes.
The total sample from the survey includes:
• 2,800 healthcare leaders (defined as a C-suite or senior executive working in a hospital, medical practice, imaging center/office-based lab, or urgent care facility who is a final decision maker or has influence in making decisions).
Below is the specific sample size, estimated margin of error at the 95% confidence level, and interviewing methodology used for each country.