The healthcare industry faces a great deal of uncertainty, but organizations are coping with the turbulence by connecting to one another in new and innovative ways, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCooper's Health Research Institute.

The company's annual report on issues facing the healthcare industry cites the looming requirement to participate in insurance exchanges, reluctance among consumers to seek care and drug shortages as being among the most pressing that will arise in 2012. Added to the mix is the fact that the legislative climate will likely remain divisive, which could impact healthcare issues.

However, the report notes that many healthcare providers are using health IT tools like EHRs to strategically leverage data. Furthermore, these technologies are allowing practices to connect to each other to form new networks.

"One of the ways the health industry is responding to these uncertainties is by connecting in new ways with each other and their consumers as they rethink existing business models and previous notions about competition, cooperation and collaboration," said Kelly Barnes, the U.S. health industries practice leader for PricewaterhouseCooper.

She added that she believes 2012 will be a seminal year for the entire healthcare industry.