Health system executives across six major markets are preparing for a year of strategic recalibration in 2026, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Global Health Care Outlook. Financial pressures, workforce shortages, and the need to transform care models rank among the top
The report notes that only about 30% of systems currently use generative AI at scale, and a mere 2% have deployed it enterprise-wide, reflecting early adoption stages. Leaders seek to boost revenue and margins by expanding digital services, enhancing outpatient care, and integrating AI for administrative efficiencies and predictive patient risk assessment.
Workforce and cybersecurity challenges also feature prominently in planning for the year ahead. Health systems globally plan to invest more in retention and productivity improvements as clinician shortages persist, and nearly half of non-U.S. respondents highlighted cybersecurity as a top concern for 2026. Virtual and remote care models are gaining traction as organizations shift toward preventive, whole-health approaches. While Deloitte finds wide recognition of AI’s operational potential, many leaders expect limited strategic impact in 2026, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology with sustainable business models and workforce strategies.