Strategies for Determining Healthcare Priority for Tomorrow
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, technology is playing an increasingly significant role in optimising care delivery and setting organisations up for success. According to a 2023 survey of healthcare leaders, key planned investments in technology over the next two years include artificial intelligence (AI) for clinical decision support and outcome prediction, with 39% of leaders planning to invest in AI for these purposes, up from 30% in 2021 [3].
AI investments focus heavily on improving clinical workflows, operational efficiency, and patient data insights. Startups like Qventus are developing AI "teammates" to reduce staff workloads and optimise operating room capacity, while others like Innovaccer and Rad AI are automating documentation and follow-up care to save clinicians significant time [1].
Healthcare leaders also plan to increase investments in cloud-based technologies, which support data centralisation, interoperability, and scalable AI deployments. Although direct survey figures on cloud investment were not specified, it is a foundational technology enabling AI applications and digital health [1][5].
While 5G networks offer higher speeds and lower latency beneficial for healthcare applications such as real-time data transmission and telemedicine, the survey details on direct 5G investment plans by healthcare leaders were not explicitly reported. However, 5G’s potential to support massive IoT connectivity and ultra-reliable low-latency communications aligns with future healthcare technology needs [4].
Other advanced technologies like real-time location services (RTLS) and IoT are complementary to these investments by enhancing hospital operations and patient monitoring. However, specific planned investment percentages from the 2023 survey were not found in the results.
The growing demand for cloud technology is influenced by the increased reliance on data and AI in healthcare. Healthcare leaders recognise the need to sift through emerging technologies and keep their strategic goals and overall mission at the centre of their decisions. They are focusing on automation to combat staff burnout and improve work environments.
Health systems should first look internally and scrutinise existing investments before making new ones. CDW experts recommend starting with an app rationalisation effort to identify overlapping solutions and find areas for automation. As health systems move toward value-based care and personalised offerings, organisations that can continue to make crucial changes will be more successful.
Interoperability remains an ongoing journey for many health systems, as data should be used to optimise care delivery. Health equity is a focus for healthcare organisations as part of the latest Quintuple Aim, aiming to improve care for all members of their communities.
For Providence, a predictive scheduling tool was developed to automate a strenuous manual process, improving staff efficiency and patient care. The tool optimises scheduling plans for each department using data-driven recommendations. This shift toward automation is a testament to the impact technology can have on streamlining operations and enhancing patient care.
In conclusion, the strongest and clearest planned investments are in AI-driven technologies for clinical and operational improvement, supported by cloud infrastructure. 5G and RTLS remain important but less explicitly quantified in the latest survey findings. This reflects a major healthcare trend toward leveraging AI to address workforce shortages, reduce burnout, improve patient outcomes, and optimise resource utilisation [1][2].
Data-and-cloud-computing technology is a key focus for healthcare leaders as they plan to increase investments in cloud-based technologies, supporting data centralisation, interoperability, and scalable AI deployments. The growing demand for cloud technology is influenced by the increasing role of AI in healthcare and the need to sift through emerging technologies.
In the healthcare sector, technology, specifically data-and-cloud-computing, is playing an essential role in the development and deployment of AI-driven technologies for clinical and operational improvement. These technological investments aim to optimise care delivery, streamline operations, combat staff burnout, and enhance patient care.
