Remote Monitoring, AI to Reshape Healthcare Delivery in 2026

Healthcare delivery is expected to undergo further transformation in 2026, driven by wider adoption of digital tools, data-driven care models, and shifting patient expectations, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Through these trends, AANP underscores the evolving role of nurse practitioners in adapting innovation to meet patient needs.

The organization released its top five healthcare trends for 2026, outlining how technologies such as remote monitoring, wearable devices, and AI, alongside new care settings and a stronger focus on prevention, are reshaping how patients interact with the health system. 

Valerie Fuller, President, AANP,  says patients are increasingly seeking care that aligns with their daily lives and long-term health goals. She notes that nurse practitioners play a key role in helping patients navigate emerging technologies, lifestyle-focused care approaches, and expanding access points within the system.

One of the most significant shifts identified for 2026 is the normalization of remote patient monitoring and wearable devices. Tools that once complemented traditional care are becoming standard components of clinical practice. Data collected through connected devices and at-home diagnostics is expected to support earlier detection of health changes, allowing clinicians to intervene sooner, manage chronic conditions more effectively, and reduce complications. This model is particularly relevant for older adults and patients managing multiple chronic illnesses, as it extends care beyond conventional clinical settings.

AI is also expected to play a growing role across healthcare operations. According to AANP, AI tools will increasingly support diagnostics, risk assessment, documentation, and administrative processes. While these systems are designed to improve efficiency, the organization emphasizes that nurse practitioners will be central to ensuring AI is implemented responsibly and ethically, reinforcing rather than weakening the patient-provider relationship.

​​”Technology is becoming the trusted backbone of healthcare, working behind the scenes to make the system less about bureaucracy and more about people,” writes César Marrón on MBN. 

Personalized care is another area projected to expand in 2026. Advances in genetic testing, biomarkers, and individualized treatment planning are bringing precision medicine into routine practice. As more patients receive care tailored to their biological profiles, risk factors, and lifestyles, nurse practitioners are expected to help interpret complex data and translate it into practical care plans that support long-term health outcomes.

The trends also point to a growing emphasis on healthy aging. As life expectancy increases, demand is rising for preventive services, mobility, and strength support, mental health resources, and lifestyle-based interventions. AANP highlights that nurse practitioners’ training in whole-person care positions them to support patients in maintaining independence and quality of life through education, prevention, and personalized counseling.

The United Nations deems healthy aging one of the most critical issues of the decade, explains Eduardo Ortiz, Founder and CEO, Koltin, to MBN. This focus is particularly relevant for Mexico as its senior population, those aged 65 and older, is expected to increase dramatically, rising from 8.2 million in 2015 to over 30 million by 2050, representing a growth of 277%, according to AARP International.

Finally, employer-based healthcare models are expected to continue expanding. Employers are increasingly investing in onsite, near-site, and virtual clinics to improve access and support employee well-being. Nurse practitioners often lead care in these settings, delivering primary care, chronic disease management, and preventive services aimed at reducing long-term health costs and absenteeism.