JLL’s latest healthcare trends report reveals insights into what is predicted to reshape America’s healthcare landscape. The following are three trends to watch in 2026 and beyond.
Trend #1: Outpatient care drives revenue growth
Outpatient care will continue to drive revenue growth (outpatient revenue grew 45% from 2022 to 2025 vs. 15% for inpatient) and health systems need a comprehensive technology-led portfolio strategy to efficiently plan for growth.
To gain competitive advantage, health system strategies must focus on growing high-margin ambulatory and specialty locations and divesting underperforming assets. Competition for sites with strong population or volume growth is fierce, so health systems will need to be decisive to act and establish market share, applying the best practices to streamline the construction process to get facilities open.
Trend #2: Technology opportunities for operations, patient engagement
Only 5% of healthcare organizations feel they are fully transformed in their digital maturity.
On the operations side, organizations will need to dismantle siloed data and design a clear, targeted data strategy. For facilities maintenance, integrating predictive technology will save money, as rush costs and downtime have a significant financial impact. Sustainability performance technology will help identify areas where energy costs can be optimized and waste reduced.
More patients are turning to technology, influencers and AI for advice. Health systems can boost technology for patient engagement. Patient portals and a strategic use of telehealth can also reduce wait times and broaden care delivery. In the facility, simple upgrades like Wi-Fi and parking and wayfinding technology can improve experience.
Trend #3: Hospitality-inspired spaces improve patient experience
Patients are taking greater control over their healthcare decisions as trust in traditional health systems has eroded. Health systems must reimagine how they engage patients, broaden care delivery and invest in the patient experience to show their focus on patient care.
Facility design plays a key role in patient experience. Positive perceptions of the facility correlate with consumers’ overall ratings of their care experience. Focusing on first impressions through hospitality-inspired waiting spaces and sustained maintenance of facilities can boost satisfaction more than renovations. Creating a distinctive patient experience in line with branding can also create comfort and loyalty for consumers.
