The common tech challenges hindering the healthcare industry

Technology can play a key role in helping the healthcare industry overcome these challenges and improve its efficiency, quality, and safety. 

However, many healthcare institutions still rely on outdated technology that can actually have the opposite effect, hindering their performance and productivity. 

In this blog, we explore some of the key tech challenges that the healthcare industry faces.

One of the most common and tedious tasks that managers in the healthcare sector have to deal with is scheduling. Managing schedules can be extremely labour-intensive as managers handle repeated requests for shift swaps, time off, and unplanned leave. Moreover, managers must ensure that the right staff are assigned to the right shifts, taking into account their skills, availability, and preferences. This can be challenging, especially when there are staff shortages, high turnover, or changing demands.

Outdated technology can make scheduling even more difficult and time-consuming, as managers are left to rely on manual methods such as spreadsheets, paper forms, or phone calls to communicate and coordinate with staff. These methods are prone to errors, delays, and miscommunication, which can lead to understaffing, overstaffing, or staff dissatisfaction. Additionally, outdated technology can make it harder for managers to track and analyse staff performance, attendance, and productivity, which can affect their ability to make informed decisions and optimise their resources.

Another important task that managers in the healthcare sector have to handle is onboarding. Onboarding is the process of welcoming new staff members into a healthcare institution and providing them with essential materials, guidelines, and tools. The process is crucial for ensuring that new staff are properly trained, equipped, and integrated into the organisation, which can affect their performance, retention, and satisfaction.

However, onboarding can also be a cumbersome and inefficient task, especially when outdated technology is involved. Many healthcare institutions still use paper-based or siloed systems to store and distribute onboarding documents, which can make it difficult to locate the latest updates or modify existing files. Moreover, these systems can create complications when both managers and staff operate across multiple devices that lack automatic synchronisation for apps and documentation. This can result in confusion, frustration, and wasted time for both parties.

The next step for Healthcare

Technology can be a powerful ally for the healthcare industry, as it can help it overcome some of the key challenges and pressures that it faces. However, outdated technology can also be a major obstacle, as it can hold the industry back from reaching its full potential and delivering the best possible care and service. 

By adopting modern technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the healthcare industry can improve its efficiency, quality, and safety, and benefit from the advantages of automation, integration, and data-driven insights.