The 10-year forecast projects continued growth in outpatient services as more care shifts to ambulatory sites, creating new challenges for capacity planning, workforce strategy and care coordination. Additionally, artificial intelligence, virtual health and emerging technologies are reshaping how organizations plan for and deliver care. The forecast outlines trends expected to affect several areas of care:

Post-acute care. Volumes are expected to increase by 31% as the population ages, acuity rises and more recovery, rehabilitation and chronic care shifts beyond traditional hospital settings.
Pediatric care. Continued declines in birthrates are reshaping demand, with outpatient volumes growing 6% while inpatient utilization remains constrained.
Cancer care. Outpatient volumes will grow by 20%, while inpatient demand remains flat as diagnostics, treatment and follow-up care shift to ambulatory settings.
Virtual care. One in five evaluation and management visits will occur remotely by 2036, reflecting the continuation of digital care models across the health care system.
Behavioral health. Rising prevalence and acuity continue to drive demand, while care increasingly expands into community-based and virtual settings.
Orthopedics. Workforce and policy pressures are accelerating the shift to ambulatory, rehabilitation and lower-resource care settings.
Women's health. Strong growth in the age 65-plus population supports a growing need for pelvic health and menopause services.

"Health care organizations are facing an unprecedented rate of change, and the margin of error is slimmer than ever," said Arun Ramasubramanian, president of Vizient Data and Digital.

Instant Insights /

Virtual care, ER visits projected to rise as health care delivery splinters

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