Most C-level leaders working in healthcare believe the COVID-19 crisis will come to a close. However, they’re sharply divided over timing.
Optimists: Look no further than the second half of next year for that milestone (41%), as soon as 2021’s first half (25%) or even during the current year (8%).
Pessimists: This thing won’t be past us until 2022 or later (21%).
Doomsayers: It’s never going to end (2%).
The percentages are from a survey seeking high-level COVID viewpoints by the global financial consultancy Lazard.
While the study sample is somewhat small, 221 respondents total, its reach across sectors adds weight.
The largest single subset, at 123 strong, is biopharmaceutical heads. Also weighing in are 40 execs of provider organizations, 21 leaders of medical-device companies and 37 investment leaders.
According to a 20-page executive summary, the top three steps these leaders see as crucial to returning healthcare to normalcy—albeit a “new normal”—are the discovery and distribution of an effective COVID vaccine (61%), an effective therapeutic (49%) and effective diagnostics (43%).
Additionally, the post-pandemic new normal, as the respondents see it, will show up as key developments reshaping three distinct spheres:
- U.S. healthcare: Significantly greater use of virtual care (75%)
- Socioeconomics: Flexible, hybrid home/in-office telework (58%)
- General business: Greater focus on automation, tech, online and data analytics (51%)
Lazard conducted the survey during the last week of May and first half of June—“deep enough into the pandemic for respondents to understand the breadth and complexity of its challenges but early enough to reflect a still uncertain outlook.”
The quote is from the foreword to the executive summary, a PDF of which the firm has posted in full for free.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.