Exceptional Gathering of Health IT Executives at the Stunning Four Seasons Resort in Orlando
Health IT is undergoing an evolution: from being primarily billing-oriented, to being an enabler of healthcare delivery, and as time goes on, to being an extender of care into the home and across geographies. Moreover, in the dynamic environment in which health systems exist, IT executives must be ready when the next unexpected event happens, whether it's a cyberattack, an infectious-disease outbreak, or the hype surrounding Generative AI.
As a result, health system technology executives are more business-minded, collaborating with the business in designing new services and capabilities to enable clinicians to feel less burned out, patients to feel comfortable, and team players to feel more engaged, while also expanding the reach of systems’ services to underserved areas to impact the overall health of the communities they serve.
The intimate gathering of executives provided an exceptional environment to explore the theme of the 2024 iteration of the Healthcare IT Institute, Leveraging Health IT Leadership: Innovation, Collaboration, and Optimization to Thrive in a Shifting Healthcare Landscape. The synopsis below provides some key highlights and visuals of a fantastic 48 hours of learning, information exchange, networking, and connection.
AI
Recent research from Bain & Company and KLAS Research highlights that 70% of health system respondents believe that AI has reached a turning point in its ability to reshape healthcare. AI is a regular C-suite conversation, and if you are a healthcare executive, no doubt your hospital board is asking you about AI. While many are touting the significant and ‘game-changing’ potential of AI, over the past year, hospital and health system leaders have been exploring where the technology could be most helpful and where it may cause harm. The reality is that there is still a huge gap between hype and reality, and the opening panel to kick of the Healthcare IT Institute addressed whether AI is overhyped or if it is living up to the immense expectations surrounding it. This was followed by several interactive sessions that identified AI use cases, assessed attendees’ readiness for AI, what tools and processes may be needed to build a modern data system, and how to inspire change and a culture that supports responsible AI innovation. As healthcare leaders implement new AI technologies to improve patient care, they face a mountain of new regulatory guidance. Attendees explored Congressional discussions and the Executive Order on AI are likely to impact healthcare organizations and how to align AI best practices with regulations and legislation.
CYBERSECURITY
A perennially critical topic for healthcare IT executives is cybersecurity. As attackers become bolder, as their approaches becomes more sophisticated, and as vulnerabilities multiply, health systems need to continually engage with one another and forward-thinking vendors in order to ensure their organizations – the patients, employees, and stakeholders – are all protected. We were so fortunate to have several different perspectives that were shared, including navigating HHS's new Cybersecurity Plan for Healthcare, specifically what the new Federal and State cybersecurity regulations and programs mean for healthcare, what resources are available to help healthcare organizations implement changes, and how to incorporate these changes into a cybersecurity strategy. Attendees engaged in several sessions that explored the evolving cybersecurity landscape in healthcare, discussed the range of innovative strategies and technologies that are shaping the future of cybersecurity in healthcare, and uncovered approaches to help healthcare organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
CLINICIANS PERSPECITIVES
Healthcare organizations face numerous ongoing challenges, from workforce shortages and provider burnout to financial pressures and care delivery disparities. In the midst of this, disruptive innovations like virtual health and new care models offer the potential to transform the traditionally slow-moving healthcare sector. Physician executives are at the forefront of driving this change. They must balance improving efficiency and optimizing value with prioritizing quality, safety, and team well-being. As leaders at the intersection of clinical care and administration, they play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Attending IT Executives had a unique opportunity to hear perspectives from several physician executives on navigating today's healthcare challenges while driving innovation and ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care, as well as what IT can do to support clinicians in their roles.
According to a study from The Beryl Institute – Ipsos PX Pulse, for most people surveyed, a good patient experience matters to their health. About half (49%) said a good patient experience contributes to their health outcomes and 35% said it would influence their future healthcare decisions. (source: Forbes, November 2022). When patients interface with their healthcare providers, they expect the experience to be similar to other interactions – simple, seamless and efficient. Attendees had the opportunity to hear a presentation that provided the IT, clinician, and workforce optimization perspectives from Orlando Health executives on creating efficiencies and avenues to maximize clinicians’ time at the patient’s bedside using virtual sitting and remote nursing.
HEALTH IT LEADERSHIP
As health care organizations grapple with adapting their operations to continue to fulfill their care mission, they must also begin to define and prepare for the future of care amid economic, regulatory, and social uncertainties. IT Executives in hospitals and health systems across the US are in an increasingly critical position to influence the competitiveness and sustainability of their organizations. The most popular sessions at the Healthcare IT Institute were interactive, peer-led Roundtables on finding creative solutions to alleviate burnout, manage stress, and improve engagement, recruiting the right people and leveraging the potential of IT team talent to meeting the increasingly dynamic needs of providers and patients, and developing and promoting inclusive leadership, creating opportunities for others, investing in professional development, and motivating teams. The final panel of the Healthcare IT Institute invited attendees to explore the ongoing march of Privacy Equity and Venture Capital in healthcare, the scepter of disruption, revenue generation avenues, and what opportunities exist to revolutionize care.
We would like to thank the Advisory Committee, Speaker Faculty, Service Providers, and attending IT Executives for their enthusiasm and engagement, and for contributing to an exceptional 2024 Healthcare IT Institute.
To contribute to the 2025 Healthcare IT Institute, whether sharing some insights and experiences as a member of the Speaker Faculty, suggesting topic areas for the agenda or joining the waiting list for attendance, please contact Nas Panwar at npanwar@ipmievents.com
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