Rural Hospitals: Top 15 questions to ask when developing your technology strategy
In my experience working with rural communities and health systems across the globe, I have had the privilege seeing a lot of technology initiatives fail and succeed.
Over the past several years, numerous CEOs and executives of rural hospitals in the United States have approached me as they think about their future.
Being a clinician with over a decade of practice, I have seen the pain points from the inside and from the perspective of the management team.
There is a fundamental, recurring question that always surfaces:
what essential questions should we (hospital) be asking when seeking the right technology partner?
To address this pressing concern, I have compiled a comprehensive list of key considerations that can help guide rural healthcare leaders in their pursuit of a suitable technology partner. My aim is to facilitate meaningful conversations and foster successful collaborations to close the existing technology gap in rural healthcare. These questions are just the beginning of a larger conversation on how to find the right partner with the right mindset.
If you share a similar passion for bridging this divide and are interested in exploring how we can work together to achieve this goal, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Top 15 Questions:
- How can digital transformation align with our organization’s mission and long-term goals?
- What specific digital technologies can help us improve patient care and overall hospital efficiency?
- How can we ensure that our technology partners understand and address the unique challenges faced by rural hospitals?
- Are our technology partners able to customize their work to meet the specific needs of our rural patient population and healthcare ecosystem?
- How can we leverage telemedicine and remote patient monitoring to provide better access to care for our rural patients?
- Are our technology partners committed to data security, patient privacy, and equity?
- Do they have a Healthcare Technology Non-Discriminatory Policy?
- How can we ensure the digital transformation will be cost-effective and deliver a return on investment for our rural hospital?
- What strategies can we use to engage the local community and promote digital health initiatives?
- Are our technology partners dedicated to innovation and keeping up with the latest advancements in healthcare technology?
- How can we integrate digital tools with our existing healthcare infrastructure and legacy systems, ensuring a smooth transition?
- What are the potential risks and challenges we may face during the digital transformation process, and how can we mitigate them?
- How can our technology partners assist us in meeting regulatory requirements and industry standards while implementing digital solutions?
- Can our technology partners help us develop a clear roadmap for digital transformation, including milestones and timelines for implementation?
- How are we going to effectively integrate the ideas & feedback from our critical frontline staff — #Nurses?
If you are at #vive2023 lets meet up and connect. Reach out or find us at our booth 2456
Chief Medical & Innovation Officer
