Healthcare is “inside-out,” happening outside hospital walls due to the pandemic and patients’ desire for convenience. Digital change, innovation, and better communication are crucial for healthcare providers. Erica Dhawan emphasized the power of connectional intelligence to unlock value through effective communication. Richard Gray of the Mayo Clinic in Arizona highlighted the institutional processes as the main barriers to implementing digital innovation at scale. Reengineering procedures are necessary to unleash the value of digital health and create scalable solutions.
The healthcare industry is undergoing a major transformation, and the need for digital change, innovation at scale, and better communication has become more pressing than ever before. During the HIMSS23 Executive Summit in Chicago, HIMSS President and CEO Hal Wolf addressed C-suite leaders, stating that healthcare is no longer happening inside the four walls of a hospital. Instead, healthcare is “inside-out” driven by patient expectations for convenience and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we will explore the main points raised during the HIMSS23 Executive Summit, including the need for digital innovation, effective communication, and institutional change to address the issues that the healthcare sector is facing.
The Inside-Out Approach to Healthcare
Hal Wolf emphasized that healthcare is no longer restricted to a hospital’s boundaries. The COVID-19 epidemic has increased patient expectations for convenience. Patients want to access healthcare services from the comfort of their homes, and this has led to the rise of telemedicine and other digital health solutions. Healthcare providers must adapt to this new reality and provide services that are accessible, affordable, and convenient for patients.
The Need for Digital Change
The HIMSS23 Executive Summit emphasized the need for digital change in the healthcare industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital health solutions in providing care to patients. Healthcare providers must invest in digital solutions to provide better care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs. The use of telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and other digital health solutions can help healthcare providers reach more patients, reduce hospital readmissions, and improve patient outcomes.
The Power of Connectional Intelligence
Erica Dhawan, the keynote speaker at the HIMSS23 Executive Summit, spoke about the power of connectional intelligence. She emphasized the importance of networks and relationships in unlocking new and unrealized value. Effective communication is key to building strong networks and relationships. Dhawan emphasized the importance of “maniacal clarity” when communicating with others. This means asking who needs to be involved, what is the delivery date, what is the ask, and what is the priority level. Effective communication is essential for achieving organizational goals and building strong networks and relationships.
Institutional Change to Address Challenges
Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, spoke about the challenges facing the healthcare industry. He emphasized that healthcare is too fragmented and not affordable enough. Hospitals are trying to meet these challenges through digital innovation, but the main barriers are institutional processes. To unleash the value of digital health, healthcare providers must reengineer procedures. The current “one patient at a time going through the system” approach will not drive transformation. Infrastructure must be created at scale, which means working with complementary partners. Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently being inserted in steam-powered systems, and transformation is necessary to create scalable solutions.
