Digital tools, technology, as well as analytics happen to be redefining what is possible for healthcare organizations. Having a potential such as this, leaders happen to be challenged to go for tech that addresses both immediate needs and also lays the foundation when it comes to growth and change. Striking that right balance takes careful planning as well as execution.
A recent study of over 300 U.S. healthcare leaders offers an insight into the strategic priorities, outcomes, as well as challenges that influence their organization’s digital strategies. Apparently, from the research, there are five key findings that emerge.
1. Data security happens to be the priority
Healthcare organizations happen to be firmly focused when it comes to securing and protecting sensitive patient as well as employee data. Over 60% of the respondents say that security as well as compliance happen to be their No. 1 digital transformation priority in the next one to three years. Risk mitigation as well as cybersecurity also happen to be top of mind, thereby surfacing as the top investment driver for 43% of the leaders. Apparently, as healthcare organizations happen to collect patient information so as to provide more informed and data-driven care, the stress of keeping sensitive information safeguarded is sure to expand.
2. Healthcare organizations go on to prioritize patient metrics when assessing tech investments
While healthcare organizations happen to be implementing technology so as to help solve a broad swath of challenges, leaders happen to be carefully considering how it goes on to affect their patients. Out of the top five criteria that are used to evaluate digital investments, three happen to be patient-centric: effect on long-term health outcomes, satisfaction of patients, and also readmission. Over one-third of respondents go on to say that enhancing patient outcomes happens to be their top investment push, further stressing that leading organizations happen to be putting the patient at the epicenter of each decision.
3. Technology investments are not going to yield ROI sans proper training
When asked on why certain investments did not go on to yield ROI, leaders overwhelmingly go on to point to challenges that stem from poor planning as well as preparation. Opting for the wrong technology or not getting the technical staff to push implementation can go on to hinder outcomes; however, according to respondents, no mistake goes on to prove as costly as avoiding training end users. Leading organizations can go on to challenge issues across the execution process by way of pivoting to focus more when it comes to quality of the execution rather than the speed.
4. Cost goes on to present a major barrier
Healthcare leaders go on to take note of challenges like data security, consumer-facing tool development, as well as core technology interoperability. But one major challenge stood out: the expense when it comes to implementing digital tools, technology, as well as analytics. It goes on to present leaders with a paradox: how can one significant industry challenge go on to get resolved when the rate of solving them is their most immediate concern? Although the initial investment in tech can be a bit steep, leaders should be asking themselves: What is the cost when it comes to not investing in critical technological advancements?
5. Intelligent automation can in no way be ignored
There is indeed a consensus that says that intelligent automation- IA and artificial intelligence- AI will continue to shift the way healthcare gets delivered. An entire 100% of respondents identified a total automation strategy as a need, and 54% went on to indicate that they already happen to have a strategy in place. As regulation looms and the healthcare industry happens to get a better understanding of how to integrate IA safely into patient care, healthcare leaders happen to be prioritizing nonclinical use cases such as supply chain optimization as well as clinical denials and appeals processing.
It is well to be noted that how healthcare organizations go on to use digital tools, technology, as well as analytics is going to vary, however, certain throughlines still persist: security, consumer needs, cost to implement, training, as well as automation will go on to influence investment and execution, both. Balancing such elements with a clear strategy can go on to position organizations in terms of growth as well as elevate how they offer care.
