The Future of Economy in Healthcare Publisher



M Nosrati MARZIEH ; M Sharifnia MOHAMMADHOSSEIN ; S Ahmadi SOROUSH ; N Sarhangi NEGAR ; M Hasanzad MANDANA ; S Nikfar SHEKOUFEH
Source: Published:2024

Abstract

The concept of economics in the context of health care encompasses multiple facets. Generally speaking, one of the main challenges facing healthcare systems is finding a balance between unlimited needs and restricted resources. Economics is a crucial factor in decision-making about resource allocation. Governments place a high priority on maintaining financial stability, so predicting changes in healthcare spending over the next several years can be quite helpful in setting priorities and creating long-term plans. The amount and direction of changes in health spending can be influenced by various factors, some of which are discussed in this chapter. For instance, the extraordinary advancements in computer and electronic sciences, medicine, and biomedical technologies, as well as the introduction of innovative medical and pharmacological interventions in recent decades, have all led to significant cost increases. Additionally, the remarkable developments in digital, electronic, and intelligent computerized technologies may result in a dramatic reduction in the cost of several remarkably expensive treatment approaches, including gene therapy, cell therapy, precision medicine, and any other targeted therapeutic interventions. Previously considered unaffordable and unattainable, these interventions now have a significant position with more purposeful prospects, as they will play a more significant role in the future. Economics has always played a significant part in medical decision-making to optimize resource allocation. With the advent of highly costly, recently developed medical technologies that show promise in treating or even curing previously incurable diseases, economics plays a more significant role in determining how best to allocate resources to these interventions than in the past. The main objective of this chapter is to outline and discuss some of the technologies, interventions, factors, and events that possess the potential to have a major impact on future changes in the costs of the health system. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.