Beyond the Hype: Why Real-World Healthcare Needs Practical Solutions
The healthcare industry is buzzing with excitement around Artificial Intelligence (AI). While the potential for AI in diagnostics and cost reduction – possibly slashing treatment expenses by 50% – is undeniable, let’s ground ourselves in reality. AI can’t solve the fundamental challenges that healthcare workers face every day.
Consider the simple questions that often go unanswered: Is a patient receiving the follow-up care they need? Do they even have a phone number to reach them for that follow-up? These aren’t technological hurdles; they’re operational breakdowns. And they’re precisely the issues that shiny new technologies often overlook.
The Handoff Problem: Where Good Intentions Go to Die
Healthcare technologies frequently fail not because clinicians resist them, but because of what happens after they’re implemented.Specifically, the critical handoff between the clinical setting and the patient’s broader care network.Stark reality consistently trumps technological aspirations.
Healthcare professionals crave solutions that address the messy, complex nature of real-world healthcare. They need tools that integrate seamlessly into their existing workflows, not add to their burdens.
prioritizing the Human Element in Healthcare Innovation
The industry must prioritize solving the 24/7, fundamental problems that plague healthcare workers. From rural clinics to large hospital systems,we need to focus on:
* True workflows: Understanding how healthcare professionals actually work,not how we think they work.
* Limited time: Recognizing the constant time constraints faced by clinicians.
* Unhelpful technologies: Avoiding solutions that create more work than they solve.
* Staffing shortages: Acknowledging the crisis-level staffing constraints impacting care delivery.
* Ingenious workarounds: Respecting the creative solutions healthcare workers develop to overcome systemic challenges.
You’ll find that healthcare workers consistently adapt and innovate to provide the best possible care,despite the obstacles. We should be building with them, not for them.
Focusing on Practicality, Not Just Possibility
Ultimately, successful healthcare innovation requires a deep dive into real-world operations. It demands a commitment to solving the practical problems that impact patient care and the well-being of healthcare professionals.
Don’t get lost in the promise of futuristic technology. Instead, focus on building solutions that address the everyday realities of healthcare – like ensuring a senior has a reliable ride to their dialysis appointment.
about the Author:
Effie Carlson is the CEO of Watershed Health. She brings over 16 years of experience in healthcare leadership, policy, strategy, and business development, spanning managed care, healthcare technology, government relations, and value-based care. Effie previously founded EJC Consulting Group and held executive positions at Modivcare, PayrHealth, Team select, and CareCentrix. She actively advises and serves on boards for organizations like the Texas e-Health Alliance, SendaRide, and the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC).
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