Nine key themes ranging from population health and accountable care to clinical and operational excellence were discussed at the KPMG healthcare conference and summarized in this report.

Overwhelmingly healthcare leaders believe fundamental improvement and innovation is required. Essential for successful change and adaptation is the ability to stay the course. The ability to maintain clear values, vision and long-term goals – while exhibiting tactical flexibility and organizational agility along the way – will enable sustainable progress to be made.

Organizations which transform into health systems (vertically or horizontally) authentically partner with patients to create more value by delivering superior quality at affordable costs. The ability to control and construct care pathways across and between home, primary, community and secondary care seems to offer new possibilities for accountable care and population health, all supported by intelligent data.

The report goes beyond simply making the case for change. The case studies and expert opinions in the report show that transformation, although at times difficult, can be achieved if healthcare systems pursue a series of practical strategies.