According to a Symplr, physician burnout will be the biggest concern for healthcare organizations in 2024, surpassing financial pressures Opinion poll from more than 200 CIOs, IT leaders and clinicians in US healthcare systems.
The study, which found that more than half of these organizations rely on more than 50 different systems to manage healthcare operations, suggested a need for closer alignment between CIOs and the clinicians working within the organization.
An equally worrying finding showed that the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” in healthcare is widening and there is an urgent need to streamline healthcare operations to improve efficiency while regaining staff.
According to the survey results, clinicians are increasingly concerned about challenges such as nurse retention, nursing staff well-being, technology efficiency and workflow optimization compared to their IT colleagues.
Clinicians were more likely than IT professionals to find their organization’s healthcare software user experience challenging. More than eight in ten respondents (84%) expressed the belief that consolidating healthcare software onto a single platform could free up valuable time for physicians to focus on patient care.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
Smart investments in a health system’s technology stack can pay significant dividends in the form of a more seamless, coordinated and comprehensive experience for both caregivers and patients.
For example, automation could streamline a number of simple or repetitive tasks, such as dispensing medications or monitoring medication infusions.
Meanwhile, healthcare organizations are struggling with staffing shortages and shrinking budgets, while their employees – from clinical staff to physician assistants – struggle with patient overload, fatigue and burnout.
One September Opinion poll According to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, 30% have at least one symptom of burnout and nearly 8% said they plan to leave the profession within the next year.
THE BIGGER TREND
According to Bain’s 2023 Healthcare Provider IT Report, U.S. healthcare providers are significantly increasing their investments in IT and software to address various obstacles. Nearly 80% of healthcare executives surveyed reported a significant increase in spending over the past year due to the proliferation of new technologies, ongoing workforce shortages and increasing financial pressures.
The emergence of artificial intelligence technology is shifting the focus of IT leaders to creating strategic plans; But doubts remain about how best to implement the technology – only 6% have an organizational plan to use it, according to a separate Bain survey published in August.
Investments in telemedicine and remote patient monitoring could also ease pressure on physicians as an aging population, more patients with chronic illnesses, and SDOH barriers threaten to overwhelm health systems.
ON THE RECORD
“The (Symplr) survey data suggests a major opportunity to consolidate healthcare operations solutions and free up physicians’ time for patient care, which could significantly reduce burnout and simplify technology management,” Symplr CEO BJ Schaknowski said in a statement Explanation. “To achieve this, health systems must bring together the right stakeholders and partners to remove barriers between IT and clinicians and stop the brain drain of healthcare talent.”
Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin.
Email the author: nathaneddy@gmail.com
Twitter: @dropdeaded209