The thought of a robot doctor stirs lots of emotions in people. And truth be told, a ton of mystery still surrounds just what will become of this technology. We are still years, if not decades, from a robot doctor being incorporated into the practice of healthcare.

As 2015 came to a close, there are several trends in the healthcare industry that medical researchers and practitioners need to be aware of in 2016. According to PwC Health Research Institute, patients will be on the lookout for better ways to manage their health and medical expenses.

Traditionally, healthcare delivery has been based on a face-to-face meeting between patients and physicians in a hospital or clinic. But the latest advancements in medical technology has altered how and where healthcare is delivered. Nowadays, patients expect to interact with physicians and receive medical recommendations and treatments via the phone and online channels - this approach is known as ‘telemedicine’. If you’re looking to improve the level of patient service and satisfaction in your healthcare business, then read on.

Achieving Stage 2 is so much more difficult than achieving Stage 1. According to some reports, many healthcare providers will be caught off guard.

Many thresholds will increase significantly in Stage 2, so health-care providers who are not yet accustomed to performing at levels specified in Stage 1 may have a hard time operating or even meeting the increased levels specified in Stage 2.

In some cases, health-care providers have delayed addressing certain measures.