Final answer:
The major forces shaping the healthcare industry today include increased demand, consolidation and efficiency, and technological advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major forces shaping the healthcare industry today include:
- Increased demand: The aging and less healthy population in America has led to overwhelming increases in demand for healthcare services.
- Consolidation and efficiency: Providers have consolidated through hospital mergers and acquisitions, as well as the growth of urgent care offices, to improve mass production and efficiency.
- Technological advancements: The use of telemedicine, new healthcare professional roles, insurance mandates, and artificial intelligence are shaping the industry and improving patient care.