by Tony Chen

Recently, TIME magazine (is it still an actual magazine?) came out with the 10 big ideas that are changing the world today. As I read through this mostly fantastic (and maybe fantastical-sounding?) list, I couldn't help but think about the impact on health care for six of those big ideas.

[More:]

1. Jobs are the new assets (#1)
As the recession continues and portfolios/house values plummet, people are re-prioritizing how important their job really is. As such, lots of folks are taking the opportunity to find the career that best fits their personality and passion.

Impact on Healthcare: Most folks that work in hospitals are there because of some inherent desire or passion to help people. When I worked at HFMA, I was blown away at how many hospital CFOs I talked to who were in healthcare truly because of that desire. And usually, it was tied to some family experience (good or bad) in hospitals. I think this is a net positive as the talent pool for health care roles will continue to grow.

2. Recycle the Suburbs (#2) and Survival Stores (#9)
The suburbs are dead. It's time to reinvent them, and in some communities, big empty buildings are turning into re-purposed community centers, libraries, etc.

The retail store will be completely re-imagined, providing a one-stop shopping "experience" for survival products as well as peace-of-mind services.

Impact on Healthcare: As I pass all of these former Circuit City, Linen-n-Things, and other shelled-out stores, I can't help but drool just a little bit. This is a big opportunity for healthcare providers who have been trying to extend our reach. Tons of real estate at bargain prices.

But we can't do this alone--now is the time for creative partnerships. Why not have a small clinic within that new community center? How about a partnership with a new library, setting up a health care resource center? How about a retail partnership geared at providing convenience & expertise for a certain demographic (e.g. pregnant moms)?

One other broad-stroke generalization: Hospitals in walkable urban areas will most likely see increased demand for decades to come. We are a nation of 80 percent drivable suburbs (think "The Sopranos") and 20 percent walkable urban (think "Seinfeld" or "Friends"). The problem is that the demand is more like 50/50.

3. Reinstating the Interstate (#4)
The Interstate highway is a huge asset in that it's the government's right-of-way. They could add lots of other infrastructure (rails, broadband, power-grid, smartcar power, etc) as they already own the land.

Healthcare Impact: Long term, this could mean pocket of population growth and new population centers that follow the infrastructure investment. This could inevitably mean the relocation, renovation, and/or the removal of hospitals in non-strategic areas.

4. Amortality (#5)
Scientific innovation is speeding up exponentially (not linearly) as each innovation helps scientists come up with the next innovation even faster. Some believe science will allow us to live significantly longer (50, 100, hundreds of years) than we do now.

Healthcare Impact: I've heard Ray Kurzweil speak and read his book "The Singularity is Near." Although it sounds outlandish, I'm becoming a believer because the data itself is compelling. We are entering into a period where scientific advancement accelerates exponentially. We are 10 to 15 years away from reverse engineering the human brain. Folks, get ready for some massive changes to healthcare. At the right time, I would place strategic bets on neuroscience, genetics, nanotechnology applications for cancer and regenerative medicine. It's a long way off still, but not as long as most of us think.

5. Biobanks (#8)
We will eventually have massive "biobanks" (storing our blood & tissue samples) that will facilitate research and also provide genetic-based intelligence to biobankers on our risk of disease, etc.

Healthcare Impact: Related to the last one, the availability of this data will make medicine the three Ps: predictive, preventive, and personalized. This kind of "mass customization" of healthcare delivery will force us to completely rethink our work flow, our facilities, our personnel strategy--everything.

OK, so I know this is probably a little bit of a stretch, but it is, purposely so. Even as we continue to bear down on costs and focus on short-term viability, these societal trends will inevitably force us to innovate--either reactively or proactively. It's chaotic times like these where new leaders can emerge.