Tips for CIOs in the digital age

Changing your approach as a CIO is critical to driving digital transformation in healthcare organizations. The goal of digital transformation in healthcare is to achieve clinical, financial and operational strategic goals, but this journey is complex and requires the mobilization of technology, resources, processes and talent.

Every aspect of what healthcare organizations do is affected by digital transformation – from improving the patient experience to making data-driven decisions and automating processes. With so much at stake, the CIO cannot do it alone.

Here are four steps CIOs should focus on as they drive digital transformation in healthcare:

Focus on the true meaning of a digital transformation journey for your healthcare organization

Too often, healthcare leaders are seduced by cutting-edge technology. Blockchain, virtual reality and wearable gadgets may be popular now, but they are not the same as digitization.

Instead, leaders must ensure their organizations avoid shiny objects. The CIO must build consensus on a common definition of digital transformation, focusing on the organization’s ability to improve clinical, financial and operational performance.

Technology can revolutionize healthcare only if healthcare organizations adopt a thoughtful, patient-centric approach. This method emphasizes the use of technology to advance long-term strategic goals such as providing services, entering new markets, and forming partnerships with other companies to create alliances and strengthen connections between patients.

Become Chief “Impact” Officer as the new CIO brand

Shift your attention away from “information” or “technology” as these are not prerequisites for joining the digital revolution. While the CIO, CTO, CSO, CNIO, and CMIO all likely play a significant role in the digital transformation process, it affects all levels and departments of an organization.

Transformational advances require the approval and commitment of leaders across the corporate hierarchy. The new buzzword is impact; Be the Chief Impact Officer.

Create sustainable vs. quick successes

This is not a one-time project. It is a complex, overarching business plan that must be implemented as part of an overall business strategy and mindset.

Consider the implications of your strategy, sustainability, direction, and other issues as the organization executes its plan. Consider these issues in each area as you execute your strategy.

sustainability – The transformation program aims to deliver the stated business and clinical outcomes over the next one to three years with a view to sustaining them for seven years.

alignment – Ensure your transformation initiative aligns with your organization’s primary goals and has measurable clinical, operational and financial impact.

Company-wide mentality change

Culture can make or break your digital strategy. Here are two crucial foundational qualities required for success:

do things differently – As a leader, encourage alternative solutions to problems by challenging the status quo. Every opportunity should be examined with a view to improving it, even when things are going well. Your teams can copy your behavior when they see you driving change.

Make a decision – It’s a disadvantage to linger with a final decision until you have all the information. Because the transformation is new and there may not be enough data items to support a decision. CIOs need to be able to make informed choices with ease, even when complete facts aren’t available. Remember, not making a decision is a decision.

Healthcare transformation is a journey, not a destination. And it requires a new mindset for CIOs. You need to focus on the importance of digital transformation, become Chief Impact Officer, achieve sustainable wins versus quick ones, and change the mindset across the organization. With these steps, the digital transformation can be a success.