The healthcare industry is continuously evolving, and technology is playing an increasingly important role in transforming how healthcare is delivered. Healthcare IT has emerged as a critical component of this transformation, offering solutions to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. However, with these technological advancements come challenges related to staffing and workforce management.
Top Trends in Healthcare IT
The healthcare IT sector continues to grow rapidly, accelerated by factors such as cloud-based technology, telehealth solutions, and an aging population. Recent estimates suggest the global healthcare IT sector will grow from $320 billion in 2022 to an estimated $857.6 billion by 2030.1 The growing demand for new medical technologies will drive organizations to transform or restructure their healthcare IT staffing solutions.
Here are some top trends in healthcare IT to note:
- A continued focus on cloud-based infrastructure
- An increase in the use of wearable devices for positive healthcare outcomes
- Advances in artificial intelligence and its applications in healthcare
- A virtual approach to healthcare
What Healthcare IT Trends Mean for Staffing
Similar to other industries, technology will have significant impacts on the healthcare sector, which will also extend to staffing. Your organization must consider how to grow, develop, and train staff members to use this technology. With the proper protocols, you can feel confident in using technology to improve operational efficiencies and promote better health outcomes for patients. Specifically, here are three ways healthcare IT trends will impact staffing solutions:
Demand for Cloud Specialists
While many healthcare facilities have already moved their data to the cloud, others have faced challenges in the scale or value of this infrastructure.2 If your organization has struggled to convert existing systems to the cloud, now is the time to make this shift. Cloud computing has numerous advantages in healthcare, including data accessibility and streamlined records management.
Cloud migration requires significant investments in staffing. To transition efficiently, you will need to hire talent for cloud-based positions. These roles may include cloud engineers, data scientists, full-stack developers, and translators. Individuals with cloud migration and computing skills will prove invaluable in the development and implementation of cloud-based infrastructure for your organization.
Emphasis on Cybersecurity
Wearable devices, which can track data such as blood pressure and heart rate, will continue to impact the healthcare industry in the coming years. While these devices have many advantages, they also come with security risks. According to a recent study, these potential security issues may impede the adoption of this technology, particularly as it relates to compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.3 Security risks grow as more devices connect to your facility’s electronic health record software.
For these reasons, it will be essential for healthcare organizations to implement strict cybersecurity measures to protect this sensitive data. Consider hiring additional cybersecurity analysts who can identify potential vulnerabilities and develop effective mitigation strategies.
These specialists can lower the risks of malware or hackers that threaten to breach confidential patient data.
AI Automation
Staffing remains a major concern for healthcare leaders as employees continue to report increased levels of stress and burnout.4 Advancing AI technologies may be a solution. In particular, AI applications can automate various processes, ranging from diagnostic scanning to inputting administrative data.
AI automation will have significant implications for healthcare staffing. While it may alone not solve staffing shortages, using AI to automate tasks otherwise handled by overworked providers, nurses, and other staff will have significant positive effects. It will allow providers to focus more on patient care and relieve staff of burdensome administrative tasks. By implementing this technology in your organization, you can minimize burnout and improve satisfaction while increasing accuracy and productivity.
With the pace of technology increasing, you may wonder how best to staff your organization. At Medix, we have decades of experience in sourcing top technical talent for healthcare systems. Contact us today for more information.
