For healthcare, 2014 proved a most pivotal year, replete with big regulatory happenings. This past year, hospitals struggled with Stage 2; they dealt with breaches, ACA enrollments and big population health initiatives. All in all, it was a busy year. But among all the happenings, there were five big healthcare trends that really set themselves apart in 2014. This according to a list compiled by market research firm Kalorama Information. 

 

Among the top five biggest trends? No surprise here: Health IT made the cut. 

 

Kalorama officials identified an industry interest in remote patient monitoring solutions and telemedicine as one of the top trends this year.

 

[See also: Telehealth sees explosive growth.]

 

In fact, according to the firm's 2013 telemedicine market analysis, the sector is poised for some serious triple digit expansion over the next few years. We're talking a whopping 237 percent growth in the market. In 2007, the world's telemedicine patient monitoring market was pegged at $4.2 billion. In 2012, that number more than doubled to $10 billion.

 

And, although, researchers consider the telemedicine market to be "small-to moderate" in size, with aging populations, rising healthcare costs and as more providers go digital, it won't stay that way. In fact, experts project it to reach $29 billion by year's end, growing at a rate of 9 percent over the next four years. 

 

Another trend identified? Medical device companies are also growing, Kalorama officials pointed out. They're out buying up other companies, signifying some serious mergers and acquisitions for the industry. Big deals inked this year included Medtronic's $42.9 billion acquisition of Covidien. 

 

Other 2014 trends included: