Healthcare Business Models Research Articles

Food is Medicine National Summit: Transforming Health Care

Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions reflect the critical links between food security, nutrition security, health, and health equity, integrated into health care delivery. They comprise programs that provide nutritionally tailored food, free of charge or at a discount, to support disease management, disease prevention, or optimal health, linked to the health care system as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Such programs often prioritize health equity. On 26–27 April, 2023, Tufts University’s Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute held a 2-day National Food is Medicine Summit with leaders, practitioners, and individuals with diverse lived experiences in health care, research, government, advocacy, philanthropy, and the private sector to identify challenges and opportunities to sustainably incorporate FIM services into the health care system and at scale. This report of a meeting describes key themes of the Summit, based on presentations and discussions on momentum around FIM, incorporating FIM in health care, tradeoffs and unintended consequences of various FIM models, scaling of programs, financing and payment mechanisms, educating and engaging the health care workforce, and federal and state government actions and opportunities on FIM. Speakers highlighted examples of recent public and private sector actions on FIM and innovative cross-sector partnerships, including state Medicaid waivers, academic and philanthropic research initiatives, health care system screenings and interventions, and collaborations including community-based organizations and/or entities outside of the food and health care sectors. Challenges and opportunities to broader implementation and scaling of FIM programs identified include incorporating FIM into health care business models, educating the health care workforce, and sustainably scaling FIM programs while leveraging the local connections of community-based organizations. This meeting report highlights recent advances, best practices, challenges, and opportunities discussed at the National Summit to inform future actions on FIM.

The Effects of Digital Transformation on Healthcare Business Models in Zimbabwe: Perceptions and Implications

Purpose: This study explores the effects of digital transformation on healthcare business models in Zimbabwe, focusing on the perceptions and implications among healthcare professionals. The purpose of this research is to understand how digital technologies influence healthcare service delivery, patient outcomes, and organizational sustainability within the Zimbabwean context. Methodology: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study involved a population of 100 healthcare professionals from which a sample of 80 participants was selected through both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Probability sampling provided a representative sample, while non-probability sampling offered targeted insights. Findings: The findings indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances efficiency, accessibility, and the quality of healthcare services. Specifically, the integration of digital technologies has led to improved patient engagement, streamlined processes, and enhanced decision-making within healthcare organizations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study's unique contribution lies in its comprehensive empirical analysis of digital transformation's impact on healthcare business models in Zimbabwe, filling a notable gap in existing literature. The research provides valuable insights into how digital tools can reshape healthcare practices and business strategies. Based on these findings, the study recommends several actions for stakeholders in Zimbabwe's healthcare sector: policymakers should prioritize investments in digital infrastructure to ensure equitable access to technology across all healthcare facilities; healthcare organizations should foster a culture of innovation and implement training programs to enhance digital skills among professionals; and promoting collaborations between the public and private sectors is crucial to maximize resources and expertise in adopting digital solutions. These recommendations are designed to guide policy and practice in leveraging digital transformation to improve healthcare outcomes in Zimbabwe.

A systematic review of business models in healthcare: research directions for emerging and developed economies

PurposeBusiness models (BMs) are becoming increasingly crucial for value creation in the healthcare sector. The study explores the conceptualization and application of BM concepts within the healthcare sector and investigates their evolution in emerging economies (EEs) and developed economies (DEs). This study aims to uncover these two contexts' shared characteristics and unique variances through a comparative analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systematically investigates and consolidates the literature on healthcare by employing the antecedents, decisions and outcomes (ADO) framework and finally examines 71 shortlisted articles published between 2003 and 2022.FindingsThe recognition of the BM within healthcare is increasing, both in EEs and DEs. EEs prioritize value creation and capture through cost efficiency, while DEs focus on innovation. Key theories employed include a resource-based view, the network theory and the theory of innovation. Case studies are commonly used as a methodology. Further research is needed to explore the decisions and outcomes of BMs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study adopts stringent filtration and keyword criteria, potentially excluding relevant research. Future researchers are encouraged to broaden their selection criteria to encompass a more extensive range of relevant studies.Practical implicationsBeyond comparing and highlighting gaps in BMs between EEs and DEs, benchmarking DE's healthcare business models (HBMs) helps healthcare organizations in EEs align their practices, mitigate risks and establish efficient healthcare systems tailored to their specific contexts. The study adopts stringent filtration and keyword criteria, potentially excluding relevant research. Future researchers are encouraged to broaden their selection criteria to encompass a more extensive range of relevant studies.Originality/valueThe study analyzes HBMs using an SLR framework perspective and provides practical implications for academicians and practitioners to enhance their decision-making.

Perceived fairness of direct-to-consumer genetic testing business models

Although consumers and experts often express concerns regarding the questionable business practices of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing services (e.g., reselling of consumers’ genetic data), the DTC genetic testing market keeps expanding rapidly. We employ retail fairness as our theoretical lens to address this seeming paradox and conduct a discrete choice experiment with 16 attributes to better understand consumers’ fairness perceptions of DTC genetic testing business models. Our results suggest that, while consumers perceive privacy-preserving DTC genetic testing services fairer, price is the main driver for fairness perception. We contribute to research on consumer perceptions of DTC genetic testing by investigating consumer preferences of DTC genetic testing business models and respective attributes. Further, this research contributes to knowledge about disruptive business models in healthcare and retail fairness by contextualizing the concept of retail fairness in the DTC genetic testing market. We also demonstrate how to utilize discrete choice experiments to elicit perceived fairness.

The Success Factors for Growing Health Tech Startups in Thailand

Startups have served as one of the Thai government’s mechanisms for promoting economic stability and growth. The health tech startup is a global trend toward new innovative industries. In Thailand, there are many health tech startups born each year. However, the healthcare business characteristic and business model differing from other businesses urge the need to understand the relevant factors of success. This knowledge can help you lower your chances of failing and enhance your chances of succeeding. The success elements that influence success, as well as the ones that are most crucial for health tech firms, were investigated in this study. This research used quantitative methodologies to create a systemic approach. The researchers used data from 240 samples to assess basic statistics and confirmatory second-order factor analysis based on the idea of latent variables in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). It was found that health tech startups in Thailand can be successful because of 6 elements, which are government policy, startup support, human capital, market, finance, and culture. Culture is the most influential factor, followed by startup support, human capital, market, government policy, and finance. It's worth noting that tax relief and low-interest financing aren't high on the priority list. Internal elements such as entrepreneurial inspiration or knowledge, experience, and product prominence, on the other hand, take precedence.

Digital business models and ridesharing for value co-creation in healthcare: A multi-stakeholder ecosystem analysis

The current advancements in digital technologies offer new opportunities for designing and modelling digital business models. In many industries, particularly in healthcare, coordinating and managing relationships with different stakeholders are well-known problems that organizations regularly face. Despite the increasing theoretical and practical relevance of digital business models in healthcare, to date, there is a lack of specific research focused adequately on how value is created, delivered and captured for the various stakeholders in centrally mediated platforms within the healthcare ecosystem. By conducting an exploratory qualitative analysis, this study explores the case of Saluber, an Italian digital start-up offering ridesharing services for non-emergency medical transportation.The results show a series of various service value drivers, single-level benefits and community-level outcomes by which the central mediator of this sharing economy platform creates, delivers and captures value for its various types of stakeholders. These aspects are made available by the integration of digital business models. A multilevel framework of healthcare ecosystem rearranging was developed, which expands the value co-creation process beyond collaboration among various types of stakeholders and emphasizes the outcome of the digitalized network. Implications for scholars and managers are offered.

Blockchain for public health care in smart society

Blockchain is a new technology that demands more efficient and scalable techniques to incorporate it with business models. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a blockchain-based smart healthcare business model, which keeps customers at the center of business. Our proposed smart healthcare business model can predict customer's status and is able to give rewards according to the business rules set by participating organizations. However, businesses also demand something in return, and in our scenario, we are concerned about data in the wild. Our model fetches “data in the wild” from the Internet of Medical Things. Nevertheless, this model can be applied to any business scenario where a customer reward system exists. Our proposed model focuses more on customers and business while utilizing technology to ease the customer and other parties involved in the business. This fusion makes business more effective as the organization can determine the path of business and make decisions accordingly. Incorporating technologies with existing business models such as the “consumer centric model” makes it easy for businesses to modernize.

Toward Understanding the Interplay between Public and Private Healthcare Providers and Patients: An Agent-based Simulation Approach

Few modelling studies have been carried out to investigate patients’ involvement in the decision-making process in a healthcare system. Here we perform theoretical and simulation analysis of a healthcare business model involving three populations: Public Healthcare Providers, Private Healthcare Providers and Patients. The analysis contributes to healthcare economic modelling by analyzing the dynamics and emergence of cooperative behavior of agents within the three populations. Resorting to agent-based simulations, we examine the effect of increasing behavioural mutation and providers’ capacity on patients’ cooperative behaviour. We show that the former introduces more randomness in agents’ behaviors enabling cooperation to emerge in more difficult conditions. Moreover, when the providers’ capacity to meet patients’ demand is limited, patients exhibit low levels of cooperation, implying a more difficult cooperation dilemma in a healthcare system that needs addressing.

Health 4.0: On the Way to Realizing the Healthcare of the Future.

Health 4.0 establishes a new promising vision for the healthcare industry. It creatively integrates and employ innovative technologies such as the Internet of Health Things (IoHT), medical Cyber-Physical Systems (medical CPS), health cloud, health fog, big data analytics, machine learning, blockchain, and smart algorithms. The goal is to deliver improved, value-added and cost-effective healthcare services to patients and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency or the healthcare industry. Health 4.0 (adapted from the Industry 4.0 principles) changes the healthcare business model to enhance the interactions across the healthcare clients (the patients), stakeholders, infrastructure, and value chain. This effectively will improve the quality, flexibility, productivity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of healthcare services in addition to increasing patients’ satisfaction. However, building and utilizing healthcare applications that follow the Health 4.0 concept is a non-trivial and complex endeavor. In addition, advanced potential applications based on Health 4.0 capabilities are not yet being investigated. In this paper we define the main objectives of Health 4.0 and discuss advanced potential Health 4.0 applications. To have a clear understanding of these applications, we categorize them in 4 groups based on the primary beneficiary of these applications. Thus we have patient targeted applications, applications supporting healthcare professionals, resource management applications and high-level healthcare systems management applications. In addition, as we studied the different applications, we realized that these is a certain collection of services that these most of them need regardless of their goals or business context. Services supporting data collection and transfer, security and privacy, reliable operations are some examples. As a result we propose creating a service-oriented middleware framework to offers the common services to the applications developers and facilitate the integration of different services to build applications under the Health 4.0 umbrella.

Value Based Healthcare: An Effective Leadership Tool to Build a Successful Healthcare Business Model

Value Based Healthcare: An Effective Leadership Tool to Build a Successful Healthcare Business Model

Network-Based Business Models, the Institutional Environment, and the Diffusion of Digital Innovations: Case Studies of Telemedicine Networks in Germany

Previous research has emphasized the importance of matching innovations with a suitable business model. The design of business models for digital innovations such as telemedicine is a major challenge in health care systems. In this regulated context, the institutional environment plays a critical role for the sustainability of business models. In this paper, I propose an extended business model framework for network-based digital innovations. My study examines how the institutional environment and network-based organizational benefits affect the total value creation of telemedicine networks. I show how both perspectives acting in concert are able to account for the total value created in network-based business models in health care and contribute to the diffusion of digital innovations. My findings suggest that institutional bodies present important key partners in business models in regulated contexts, especially during the early stages of development and diffusion. Second, preexisting network structures, upon which network-based digital innovations can build, may accelerate the diffusion. Third, my study demonstrates the importance of value co-creation and appropriation that encompass all stakeholders in a network. Finally, I describe four key drivers for total value: (1) improvements in quality of and access to care, (2) reimbursement regulation, (3) network-based organizational benefits such as efficiency gains, learning, or knowledge transfer, and (4) legitimacy gains resulting from institutional isomorphism.

Data Analytics and Its Advantages for Addressing the Complexity of Healthcare: A Simulated Zika Case Study Example

The need to control rising costs in healthcare has led to an increase in the use of data analytics to develop more efficient healthcare business models. This article discusses a simulation that uses data analytics to minimize the number of physicians and nurses needed in healthcare facilities during a crisis situation. Using a hypothetical emergency scenario, the hospital uses a healthcare analytical system to predict the necessary resources to govern the situation. Based on historical data regarding the flow of patients through the facility, a discrete-event simulation estimates resource scheduling and the resulting impact on both wait times and personnel demand. Furthermore, the value of multiple replications for discrete-event simulation models is discussed and defined, along with factors that enable greater control of multiple design points with this simulated experiment. The results of this study demonstrate the value of simulation modeling in effective resource planning. The addition of only a single doctor significantly reduced predicted wait times for patients during the crisis. Further, the findings support the use of data analytics and predictive modeling to mitigate rising healthcare costs in the United States through efficient planning and resource allocation.

Lean business models in healthcare: a systematic review

This paper includes the systematic literature review on lean business models used in the healthcare industry to aid in reducing waste, costs, and improving overall patient care and satisfaction. A systematic literature review was conducted to analyze lean business models used in the healthcare industry regarding lean thinking in healthcare, object technology, Six Sigma and quality models, organisational culture and lean implementation, healthcare delivery method study, clinical services redesign program, process improvement cost model, vendor managed inventory, supply chain innovation, strategic customer service orientation, and the model of care in the healthcare industry. The systematic review of the literature on lean business models suggests that the models such as several process improvement cost models, lean thinking models, managerial process improvement, and models of care can be used in the healthcare industry to reduce waste and costs and improve patient satisfaction. Sustaining competitive advantage for accountable care organisations was also found to help in accomplishing the value demands required by customers and competitors. This paper can be used as a guide for implementing lean business models and lean practices and the review can be used to help organisations see the benefits in using lean practices in the healthcare industry.

How social business innovates health care: two cases of social value creation leading to high-quality services

Health systems worldwide are experiencing increasing cost-cutting pressures with more intense competition and rising customer requirements. We aimed to find out and compare the characteristics and successes of two different sustainable business cases in healthcare delivery from an innovation-driven, organizational perspective. The data for the two cases were collected through structured literature research as well as personal interviews with the founders of the two healthcare business models. Data were analyzed using the business model canvas as a structured framework, as well as by cross-case analysis. The two business models operate successfully, but pursue different approaches to healthcare innovation. We were able to show that one model pursues a very complex, network-based approach that is focused on one specific rural region, while the structure of the other is characterized by a scalable concept. In addition, we observed that the founders had a decisive influence on the development and success of the healthcare business models. Our study highlights the multitude of complex relationships required to build and establish innovative and successful business models for providing high-quality and cost-effective services in two of the world’s largest healthcare systems. Moreover, it could be shown that the business model canvas offers a suitable methodological framework to compare and analyze in a structured manner the extent to which innovative care approaches also require an economically successful and sustainable business model. Results give a holistic, structured description of specific organizational features and environments, whch can then serve decision-makers in health and health economics as lessons learned and aid them in decision-making.

A New Healthcare Alliance: Consumer Engagement in the New Healthcare Economy

A New Healthcare Alliance: Consumer Engagement in the New Healthcare Economy

Digital Revolution and Innovative Business Models in Healthcare: Global Trends and Russian Realities

Digital revolution is one of the major global trends resulting in the unprecedented scale and depth of penetration of information and communication technologies into all sectors of national economy, including healthcare. The development of this trend brought about high expectations related to the improvement of quality of medical assistance, accessibility and economic efficiency of healthcare services. However, euphoria of the first steps of digital revolution is passing now, opening doors to more realistic analysis of opportunities and conditions of realization of the true potential hidden in the digital transformation of healthcare. More balanced perception of the peculiarities of innovation processes in the sector is coming together with understanding of the serious barriers, hampering implementation of the new ideas and practices due to complicated interweaving of social, economic, ethical and psychological factors. When taking into account the industry specifics it becomes evident that digital revolution cannot be a quick turnaround but rather would pass a number of phases and is likely to last more than one decade. In this context the article focuses on the prospects of the new business models, capable of making significant changes in today’s economic landscape of the sector (including uber-medicine, retail clinics, retainer medicine, network models of medical services). The authors also provide assessment of the current situation and perspectives of digital healthcare development in Russia.

Understanding Business Models in Health Care.

The increasing focus on the costs of care is forcing health care organizations to critically look at their basic set of processes and activities, to determine what type of value they can deliver. A business model describes the resources, processes, and cost assumptions that an organization makes that will lead to the delivery of a unique value proposition to a customer. As health care organizations are beginning to transform their structure in preparation for a value-based delivery system, understanding business model theory can help in the redesign process.

Success Factors within Business Models for Physical Therapy Provided by Primary Health Care Businesses; Systematic Review with Critical Interpretative Synthesis.

Background - Physical therapist business models are under pressure in several countries like the UK and The Netherlands as a result of changing health care market forces. Physical therapists feel the need to adjust their own business’ business model. But they don’t know exactly how it should be adjusted and we are given the impression that information about this is not readily available.Study identification and findings - The aim of this systematic review is to describe success factors within business models for primary health care businesses’ physical therapy. Business models act on a strategic level in this review and can be the basis for more detailed business process models and business cases. Publications were retrieved through a systematic search in medical and economic databases. Two different search strings were developed for this purpose. The search yielded 2253 publications, which were screened by title and abstract. A selection of the results was made via: 1. Generalisable information related to business models, 2. Information related to business models in health care, 3. Success factors in business, 4. Quality of health care related to business models. This led to a selection of 45 relevant full text publications. Relevant results were organised into two business model component frameworks with the use of a critical interpretative synthesis.Conclusions - The findings in this review are promising for further research and application within business models for primary health care businesses’ physical therapy. We consider success factors within business model components: Customer segments, Value propositions, Customer relationships, Key resources, Key partners, Cost structure, Positioning, Product and service logic, Marketing and sales logic and Profit formula. We consider no success factors within business model components: Channels, Revenue streams, Key activities. Not only isolated business model components need to be considered here, but an integration of more than one component, resulting in a theory for the business. Research on business model definition and on indices for success factors within business models for primary health care businesses’ physical therapy is needed.

The role of information and communication technology in the transformation of the healthcare business model: a case study of Slovenia.

The Slovenian healthcare business model (BM) has largely failed to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) into its operational context, instead maintaining its rigid structure and traditional 'way of doing business'wo managers of public clinics). Findings present a roadmap for the redefinition of BM elements and the transformation of the Slovenian healthcare BM. It includes the specific reconfiguration of BM actors and their interactions, and the application of advanced ICT solutions, which could facilitate more effective utilisation of healthcare resources and promote an improved delivery of healthcare services and products. The presented development approach and derived conceptual solution could be transferable to other countries with similar socio-economic characteristics and comparable healthcare systems, subject to certain adjustments and inclusion of national specifics.

A Framework for Information and Communication Technology Induced Transformation of the Healthcare Business Model in Slovenia

Decision-makers from the Slovenian healthcare system have generally failed to look beyond the information and communication technology, while trying to implement highly intricate and expensive eHealth project. Accordingly, functional integration of planned information and communication technology solutions with various business aspects of the healthcare system has remained largely ignored, while the existing and obsolete business model of the Slovenian healthcare system continues to operate significantly limited and unadapted to the increasing and ubiquitous penetration of information and communication technologies into the healthcare environment. This article explores the characteristics and structure of the business model concept, identifies the impending effects of informatization on the healthcare business model, and finally provides a framework for information and communication technology-induced transformation of the existing healthcare business model in Slovenia. The research is based on the case study evidence and structured interviews with the distinguished experts from the cross-sectional areas of the healthcare system strongly related to the business model concept. Research results imply that effective transformation of the healthcare business model should consider various factors from the healthcare ecosystem, including a redefinition of the functions and relationships of and between the main actors of the business model, and the reconfiguration of the organizational, structural, and technological elements in line with the long-term business objectives.