The rapid evolution of technology has created amazing opportunities and pressing challenges for the healthcare industry. Tools such as electronic health records (EHR), artificial intelligence (AI), and telehealth are committed to enhancing patient care and streamlining workflows, but many health professionals (HCPS) feel the tension in adopting these technologies into their practice.
According to Sermo's 37th Barometer Study of 611 Global HCPS, 81% believe that technical competence is just as important as clinical expertise. The statistics highlight the increasing importance of technology in healthcare and the need to balance clinical responsibility with increasing technical demands on providers. Understanding this perspective is important for those seeking to engage in HCP, whether it's Pharma, Digital Tools, AI, patient support, telehealth services, or recruitment for clinical trials. By addressing key issues such as inadequate training and integration challenges, stakeholders can support HCPs more effectively and ensure smoother adoption of new technologies.
Sermo's barometer revealed that while technology could transform healthcare, its implementation often lacks expectations. Incorrect digital tools, interoperability issues, and insufficient user support create complex HCP environments. This study found that HCPS spends an average of 22 individuals per month, learning new healthcare technologies, adding workloads, and highlighting the need for better integration and support (Figure 1).
Understanding technology overload
For many HCPs, the promise of medical technology is hidden by the practical difficulties of integration. From EHR systems to decision support software and patient portals, the range of digital tools available today is overwhelming. Instead of streamlining workflows, these systems often act as sources of frustration due to sudden learning curves, technical flaws, and excessive administrative demands that take time away from patient-focused providers.
The issue of interoperability is looming. Many systems run on silos, preventing seamless data sharing between platforms. HCP often switches between multiple applications to stitch together the complete image of a patient's health. This not only wastes time, but introduces the risk of errors and inefficiencies.
Another growing pain has introduced a constant pace of updates and new tools, with 48.2% of HCP reporting at least one symptoms of burnout, according to an AMA study.
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