In the corridors of America’s health care facilities, there is a growing sense of concern. Health system leaders, doctors, nurses, and patients agree that health care is in crisis. The system is being placed under extreme pressure. Demand is surging as a result of aging populations and a rise in chronic disease. There are staff shortages everywhere. We have incredibly talented, dedicated clinicians working in the field, but there are simply not enough to meet the demand. At the same time, rising costs and systemic disparities are putting pressure on health care organizations to operate more efficiently.
For patients, access to health care is increasingly elusive. The system is strained, and the challenges are getting worse. We are arriving at a critical juncture, one in which leaders in every facet of the health care industry—from pharmaceutical CEOs to hospital administrators—need to reflect on the causes and impact of this crisis and, most important, explore avenues for systemic change.
