Innovations Should Improve Patient Experience, Reduce Burden On Workforce, CEOs say

Calls for healthcare to do more to embrace technology as a means to improve care delivery must first address whether such changes add to or ease the burden of a workforce that's been beleaguered by the pandemic.

Advancements made in the use of digital tools like telehealth, remote patient monitoring and predictive analytics have been touted throughout the pandemic for helping healthcare organizations address the access challenges caused by months of limited in-person patient contact at many facilities.

But it's critical that stakeholders ensure these innovations make life for easier, not harder, for clinical and administrative workers. That was an overarching message from leaders during Modern Healthcare's 2021 Transformation Summit held virtually May 18-19.

"We all recognize that electronic health records are critical, but I think the complaint that we have had is this 'innovation' has put more work on the back of nurses and doctors and pharmacists and technicians. We've got to solve that," said Dr. Rod Hochman, CEO of Providence and current chair of the American Hospital Association, during the summit's opening keynote address.