In healthcare, technological advancements play a transformative role in reshaping how care is delivered, managed, and accessed. The findings from the 2024-2025 "Top of Mind for Top Health Systems" survey, conducted by the Center for Connected Medicine (CCM), shed light on key trends driving innovation in health systems. The survey reveals that artificial intelligence (AI), patient care improvements, and technological solutions for provider burnout continue to be critical areas of focus for healthcare leaders. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into healthcare systems, its potential to revolutionise clinical operations, improve patient outcomes, and address persistent challenges becomes increasingly apparent. The "Top of Mind for Top Health Systems” survey explores the current trends, offering insights into the future direction of healthcare in 2024-2025.
The Expanding Role of AI in Healthcare
The survey underscores AI as the most exciting and transformative technology in healthcare for the fourth consecutive year. With 85% of healthcare leaders citing AI as the most promising tool for improving administration, clinical operations, and patient outcomes, the enthusiasm for AI is evident. Technologies such as generative AI and ambient speech recognition are showing early success in enhancing clinical workflows. For instance, ambient speech technology is helping physicians reduce administrative tasks by automatically generating clinical notes, alleviating documentation burdens, and combatting burnout.
Generative AI, in particular, is gaining traction for its ability to augment clinical decision-making and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Leaders foresee applications of this technology in automating mundane tasks, improving patient engagement, and even contributing to more precise medical records through natural language processing. While there are still concerns regarding data privacy, security, and governance, AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare is undeniable, and health systems are actively exploring its use cases to transform the sector.
Telehealth and Virtual Care: A Post-Pandemic Success Story
The COVID-19 pandemic catapulted telehealth and virtual care into the mainstream, and these technologies remain a top priority for healthcare leaders. As the pandemic recedes, the momentum around virtual care continues, with many organisations refining their telehealth systems to improve patient convenience and expand access to care. Behavioural health departments have been at the forefront of this shift, leveraging telehealth for accessible mental health care, group therapy sessions, and family-inclusive consultations. Additionally, virtual care has proven invaluable for rural communities and underserved populations, offering greater access to specialised care.
In 2024-2025, healthcare leaders focus on developing inpatient telehealth use cases, such as remote specialist consultations, virtual nursing, and fall prevention monitoring. These innovations aim to extend the reach of clinical expertise while reducing the burden on overworked staff. However, widespread adoption may depend on overcoming hardware costs and organisational capacity challenges. Nonetheless, virtual care has cemented its place as a key component of modern healthcare systems, with its ability to improve care coordination, reduce missed appointments, and enhance patient satisfaction.
Addressing Provider Burnout and Improving Patient Care Through Technology
Provider burnout, exacerbated by the pressures of the pandemic and increasing administrative demands, remains a critical issue in healthcare. According to the survey, health systems prioritise implementing technological solutions to alleviate this burden. AI-driven tools, such as ambient speech recognition and clinical decision support, are instrumental in reducing the time physicians spend on documentation, allowing them to focus more on patient care. Additionally, remote patient monitoring (RPM) and robotic process automation (RPA) are emerging as valuable tools to improve operational efficiency and reduce staff fatigue.
RPM, for instance, allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health remotely, ensuring timely interventions without the need for frequent in-person visits. This technology is beneficial for managing chronic conditions and post-operative care, where continuous monitoring can prevent complications. Similarly, RPA is automating routine administrative tasks, from scheduling to billing, freeing up healthcare workers to focus on higher-value activities. By integrating these technologies, health systems aim to improve patient care, enhance work-life balance for providers, and ultimately achieve better health outcomes for their populations.
As the 2024-2025 "Top of Mind for Top Health Systems" survey highlights, the future of healthcare lies in the effective adoption and integration of advanced technologies like AI, telehealth, and virtual care. These innovations are not only revolutionising clinical workflows but also addressing long-standing challenges such as provider burnout and patient access. Today's healthcare leaders are focusing on leveraging these technologies to enhance patient outcomes, reduce operational inefficiencies, and improve the overall experience for both patients and providers. As AI continues to evolve and virtual care becomes increasingly sophisticated, healthcare systems must navigate the complexities of technology implementation to ensure they reap the full benefits. By doing so, they will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape in the years to come.
Source: Center for Connected Medicine at UPMC
Image Credit: iStock
