Lack of Data Readiness Preventing Healthcare Digital Transformation

A lack of data readiness is preventing the healthcare industry from committing to changes that could bring about digital transformation, according to a recent report by Morning Consult commissioned by Innovaccer.

Morning Consult collected responses from 75 US health system executives for the survey between Nov. 30 and Dec. 21, 2021.

The survey revealed that 95 percent of healthcare executives intend to transform their business digitally. However, leaders claim they are dealing with a crisis related to data readiness. As a result, 97 percent are calling for more healthcare data interoperability.

Data readiness is also key to unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, according to the report. Healthcare executives expect to see AI have a large impact on care delivery in the next several years. About 60 percent of respondents expect it to impact clinical outcomes, and 17 percent said it would affect financial outcomes. In addition, 13 percent said AI would impact their operation outcomes, and 9 percent administrative outcomes.

The survey also shows that 61 percent of executives hope to bring about a complete digital transformation in their organizations within three to five years.

The reason why this transformation has yet to occur is due to the lack of interoperability.

According to survey respondents, along with financial issues and staff capacity, interoperability is one of the three main issues blocking innovation, with 12 percent of executives claiming it is their organization's primary barrier.

“And instead of unifying these [disconnected] systems, we keep pouring more money into old technologies and erecting more data silos. It’s time to unify and optimize data across healthcare to make it complete, trustworthy, and actionable. And that requires a shift in our thinking," said Abhinav Shashank, co-founder, and CEO of Innovaccer, in the press release. “When we approach digital transformation from the perspective of ‘data readiness first,’ healthcare IT leaders will find they can address their immediate challenges while establishing a foundation for accelerating transformation long term."

Several reports have noted that healthcare organizations have been eager to accelerate digital transformation efforts in the last few years.

In June 2021, a BDO Healthcare Digital Transformation Survey collected information regarding the plans and activities of various organizations, showing that 60 percent of healthcare organizations were in the process of implementing new digital projects. Also, 42 percent of organizations hoped to add to their current digital assets.

AI will likely be a crucial part of digital transformation efforts in the future. A survey from December 2021 described how healthcare executives are using AI more, especially to enhance patient outcomes and promote health equity. The survey also stated that 72 percent of health leaders expressed trust in AI to support nonclinical administrative processes.