In 2025, look for more digital-first patient engagement and data-driven decisions

By Liam On Jan 3, 2025

Hospitals and healthcare systems have been discussing digital-first patient engagement for some time, but fewer organizations than you might think have made huge progress on that front.

Likewise, data-driven decision making is a term that is thrown around quite a bit in healthcare, but in many cases it is a dream yet to become a reality.

While providers strive to put trust and transparency at the heart of their daily operations, they are often not as far along in those efforts as they would hope.

But all three of these imperatives are poised to make major progress by 2025, according to US newspaper The Guardian David Nickelson, consulting lead at Cella by Randstad Digital.

Randstad Digital is a digital enabler company that helps facilitate accelerated transformation for businesses by providing talent, capacity, technologies and business advisory services in specialized domains, including healthcare. Cella from Randstad Digital, a partner division of the Randstad portfolio, offers consulting, staffing and managed systems.

Nickelson – who has more than 30 years of experience in scientific, clinical, legal and digital disciplines – works with healthcare organizations on complex challenges by developing and delivering technologies and services. We asked him to look at the year ahead and describe where he sees progress.

Q. You call digital-first patient engagement a key issue for hospitals and healthcare systems in 2025. Why is that happening and what developments do you foresee?

A. Digital-first patient engagement will become a defining factor in healthcare by 2025. This shift is driven by several powerful forces. Today’s patients, accustomed to seamless digital experiences in other aspects of their lives, now expect the same level of convenience and accessibility in their healthcare interactions.

Additionally, the ongoing transition to value-based care models places an emphasis on patient outcomes and cost-efficiency, making digital tools that empower patients to actively participate in their own care even more important.

Furthermore, in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape, a strong digital presence and superior patient experience can be a decisive factor in attracting and retaining patients. Finally, the wealth of data generated by digital engagement provides unprecedented opportunities to personalize care, improve operational efficiency, and drive data-driven decision making.

Looking ahead, we can anticipate several key developments that will shape the future of digital-first patient engagement.

These include:

The rise of omnichannel communications, allowing patients to seamlessly connect with healthcare providers across channels
The integration of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to automate routine tasks and provide timely responses
Using data and AI to deliver personalized content and recommendations
The expansion of remote patient monitoring for proactive care
The growing acceptance of digital therapies for convenient and accessible treatment
Integrating wearables and IoT devices for a more comprehensive view of patient health
A focus on accessibility and health equity to ensure digital health systems benefit all patients

To effectively leverage these trends, hospitals, healthcare systems, and insurers must invest in robust digital infrastructure, develop comprehensive digital strategies, train staff on digital tools and best practices, prioritize data security and privacy, and continuously evaluate and improve their digital offerings based on patient data. feedback and data insights.

By embracing these opportunities and proactively adapting to the evolving digital landscape, healthcare organizations can increase patient engagement, improve health outcomes and position themselves for success in the years to come.

Q. Data-driven decision making is also high on your list for 2025. Why is this becoming increasingly important this year, and what types of technologies will be critical?

A. Data-driven decision making will revolutionize healthcare by 2025. This approach, fueled by the exponential growth of health data and advances in analytics technologies, has the potential to significantly improve patient care, improve operational efficiency and drive innovation.

The core of this transformation lies in the power of data to unlock valuable insights. By leveraging data-driven insights, healthcare providers can personalize treatment plans, predict patient needs and intervene earlier, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. For example, predictive analytics can identify individuals at high risk of developing specific conditions, enabling proactive interventions that can prevent or limit adverse events.

In addition to improving patient care, data-driven decision making can also increase operational efficiency. By optimizing resource allocation, workforce, and patient flow based on data-driven insights, hospitals and healthcare systems can realize cost savings and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, data analytics can identify areas of waste and inefficiency, leading to more cost-effective care delivery.

Finally, data-driven insights can inform strategic decisions regarding investments, expansions and service offerings, allowing healthcare organizations to continue to respond to the changing needs of their communities.

Several key technologies will play a crucial role in advancing data-driven decision-making in healthcare. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns, predict outcomes and support clinical decision making. Real-world data and real-world evidence provide valuable insights into patient behavior, treatment effectiveness, and disease progression.

Predictive analytics can predict patient needs, identify high-risk individuals, and optimize resource allocation. Data visualization and dashboards can make complex data sets more accessible and usable for healthcare professionals. And interoperability, which enables seamless data sharing across different systems and organizations, is essential for unlocking the full potential of data-driven insights.

By embracing these technologies and investing in the necessary infrastructure and expertise, healthcare organizations can leverage the power of data to transform healthcare delivery, improve outcomes and drive innovation.

Q. You say that trust and transparency will be critical for healthcare provider organizations in 2025. Why is this increasingly important, and what types of technologies can be deployed here to help?

A. Trust and transparency are no longer optional for healthcare providers – they are absolutely necessary. This year this will be even clearer. The shift to value-based care further emphasizes the need for transparency. This model prioritizes patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, necessitating open communication about care delivery and pricing.

As healthcare costs rise, patients bear a greater share of the financial burden, so everyone benefits from transparency in pricing and billing practices. Additionally, the proliferation of options in today’s healthcare landscape allows patients to compare providers and make informed choices. In this environment, trust and transparency become important differentiators.

Additionally, the increasing use of digital health tools and electronic health records has raised concerns about data privacy and security. To build and maintain trust, healthcare providers must demonstrate a commitment to responsible data management. Finally, changing regulations ensure greater price transparency in healthcare. Providers and insurers must proactively adapt to these changes.

While it may sound counterintuitive, technology can play a crucial role in promoting trust and transparency. For example, price transparency tools can enable patients to compare costs and gain insight into their own expenses. Clear communication in plain language is essential for explaining complex medical bills and insurance policies.

Proactive disclosure of information about costs, treatment options and potential risks can further increase trust. Robust data security measures and transparent data privacy policies are non-negotiable. Additionally, patient engagement technologies can facilitate communication and provide easy access to information.

By embracing these strategies and prioritizing trust and transparency, healthcare organizations can not only meet regulatory requirements but also build stronger relationships with patients, ultimately improving the overall quality of care. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Follow Bill’s HIT coverage on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki
Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication