In a podcast episode of The Podcast by KevinMD, health care executive Kimberly Smith highlights the significance of clinicians spearheading health care technology innovation. Kimberly elaborates on her article, “Why clinicians must lead health care tech innovation,” stressing that clinicians possess a distinct viewpoint on patient care that equips them to address health care’s intricate challenges proficiently. She contends that health technology ought to be crafted with clinician contributions to guarantee it alleviates administrative workloads and improves patient care.

Having begun her profession as a wound and ostomy nurse, Kimberly moved into an executive position to influence health care on a broader scale. With experience in both clinical environments and technology development, she underscores the disconnect between tech developers and frontline clinicians. For technology to genuinely fulfill its objectives, it must be conceived in partnership with those engaged in direct patient interactions.

She offers instances of how misaligned technological solutions can impose extra work on clinicians. One example she cites is Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) that generate more tasks instead of simplifying processes. By including clinicians in the technology development phase, possible challenges regarding usability and practicality can be addressed.

Kimberly observes that although numerous tech companies do value clinician feedback, there remains significant room for improvement. Health systems frequently assess technology based on cost and return on investment (ROI), but there should be greater focus on user-friendliness and practicality for clinical teams. She encourages clinicians with innovative concepts to connect with tech companies to ensure their perspectives contribute to viable solutions.

She also emphasizes the necessity of considering various clinical settings when creating tech solutions, noting obstacles like the absence of internet connectivity in rural regions.

Looking forward, Kimberly envisions possibilities for AI and data to enhance clinical decision-making, resulting in better patient outcomes. She wraps up with a call to action for clinicians to voice their opinions in technology innovation and for tech companies to prioritize clinician feedback in their development procedures.