E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
Healthcare in the US is undergoing rapid transformations , driven by rising costs , policy changes , evolving patient expectations , shortages in the provider workforce and technology advancements . Healthcare providers are looking to their technology partners , especially electronic health record ( EHR ) vendors , to help their organisations to evolve with the shifting landscape . As we look toward 2025 , EHR vendors will be at the forefront of innovative trends designed to improve patient care , streamline workflows , and enhance interoperability . Several key innovation trends are poised to shape the future of EHR vendors .
1 . Enhanced interoperability and data exchange
Interoperability and data fluidity remains a top priority for innovation in 2025 . According to the Health Information and Management Systems Society ( HIMSS ) gaps in the interoperability of healthcare data cost the US Health System US $ 30 billion each year . But these gaps yield more than financial challenges for the US healthcare system . Without patient-centred data healthcare providers struggle to provide coordinated care , to collect appropriate payment for care , and to operate their organisations in a way that promotes the best patient experience . The result is healthcare outcomes in the US that lag behind other nations despite spending a significantly higher percentage of GDP on healthcare , according to the Commonwealth
Fund . Increased regulation in the interoperability space , like the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement ( TEFCA ) and the further adoption of standards for data exchange like Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources ( FHIR ) will increase the effectiveness of EHR investment in the interoperability of healthcare data in 2025 .
2 . AI and predictive analytics
The promise of advanced data models AI and predictive analytics in healthcare is too great for the progress made thus far to slow down in 2025 . This progress is , in part , due to the increased need for efficiency caused by staffing shortages with an expected shortage of 78,610 FTE registered nurses and 64,000 physicians that will widen to 86,000 physicians by 2036 . Given these workforce challenges the opportunity for AI to aid in diagnostics , treatment and coordination of care is important for access to care and the overall health of the US population . There are also administrative benefits like predictive staffing , decreased administrative burden in the revenue cycle , the use of voice and other technologies for charting and the transcription of care , etc .
3 . Data security
2023 was the worst year on record for cyberattacks against healthcare organisations in the US and 2024 will end with similar or slightly elevated numbers , although it could be argued that the scope of the attacks in 2024 were greater than in previous years . EHR vendors will continue to strengthen their defenses against these attacks in 2024 by implementing advance security technologies in their systems like multi-factor or biometric authentication , data encryption , system monitoring and increasing the frequency of security patches and updates .
With rapid change across the healthcare landscape there are many opportunities for EHR and other healthcare technology companies to partner with healthcare organisations to increase the efficiency , effectiveness and security of healthcare delivery across the US . We can expect 2025 to be a year of rapid innovation fuelled by very real challenges across the industry . �
NATE KELLY CHIEF DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION OFFICER , CHARTSWAP
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