Futurescan: Health Care Trends and Implications Publication

Futurescan is a series of publications for health care leaders that SHSMD, in collaboration with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), has published annually since 1999.

If you are looking ahead and strategizing about how your organization can survive and even thrive over the next five years, you will learn much from these experts and their recommendations for balancing new imperatives in a changing environment. The publication, accompanied by webinars and resources, is an important resource for strategic planning, senior executive updates, board education, medical staff briefings, staff training, and more.

SHSMD Members: Get your free copy of Futurescan 2026 today!

Publications

Demonstrate your expert knowledge of health care trends and implications to your leadership team and staff with the annual Futurescan publication.

Webinars

Gain valuable knowledge and actionable strategies drawn from SHSMD’s annual guide with Futurescan webinars, featuring a renowned futurist, Ian Morrison, Ph.D.

> 2025 Futurescan Webinar

> 2024 Futurescan Webinar

> 2023 Futurescan Webinar

> 2022 Futurescan Webinar

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PowerPoint Toolkit

Download PowerPoint toolkits to present Futurescan information in a polished way.

> 2025 Futurescan PowerPoint

> 2024 Futurescan PowerPoint

> 2023 Futurescan PowerPoint

> 2022 Futurescan PowerPoint

> 2021 Futurescan PowerPoint

Environmental Scan

Download the AHA Environmental Scan, a free resource detailing data and trends that have implications for the health care field. Topics include:

Hospital and health system financial stability and operations
Health Care consumerism
Patient safety & quality measures vs. prepandemic data
Workforce dynamics
Behavioral health landscape

Workforce Scan

Download the 2025 AHA Health Care Workforce Scan, a free resource with insights and practical recommendations to help you take innovative steps to support, retain and recruit staff. Discover actionable ways to:

Embrace technologically integrated care models and innovations
Engage clinicians in technology strategies
Boost access through partnerships, training and upskilling
Rethink engagement to build a more flexible, engaged workforce

Transformation Talks

The AHA has created a new thought leadership video series in conjunction with the AHA’s Environmental Scan and SHSMD’s Futurescan aimed at helping our hospital and health system members determine which direction the field may be heading and how to prepare.

> Advancing Digital Patient Engagement — Opportunities for Differentiation

> Leveraging the Community and Innovation to Improve Health

> Executing Your Strategy: Keys to Transformational Change

“Futurescan explores key trends that are having an unprecedented impact on the health care field. It also includes expert guidance on action steps hospitals and health systems can take to be prepared for the implications of these trends on their organizations. For Spectrum Health, it is a valuable and insightful resource for us as we plan for the future.”

- Holly Sullivan, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing, Spectrum Health