Technology is reshaping the way we deliver and receive healthcare--and with the pace of technological innovation, this impact is not likely to slow down. Below are several areas that are poised for growth in 2025, and deserving of focus.
Telehealth
The exponential growth of telehealth since COVID-19 shows no sign of slowing. Though Medicare reimbursements and allowances for telehealth are still up in the air pending the passing of a federal budget, healthcare organizations of all sizes continue to invest in telehealth technology and equipment. The practice of telehealth has evolved from initial virtual consultations to ongoing remote patient management, where clinicians can continually monitor vitals of patients and intervene when numbers get out of normal ranges. This is revolutionizing the way that people live with diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and other chronic conditions. The expansion of telehealth also addresses the accessibility gap for people unable to get to regular appointments, including those living in rural areas.
Cybersecurity
In 2024, healthcare organizations continued to be breached at a high rate. Instances included the Change Healthcare cyberattack that exposed the personal data of 100 million Americans and disrupted operations for hospitals, medical offices, and pharmacies nationwide. This attack highlighted the interconnectedness of the healthcare sector and the reliance on third-party vendors (Change Healthcare is a widely used third-party healthcare technology company). In 2025, organizations will extend their cyber focus to understanding and managing vulnerabilities with their vendors. The severity of the Change attack, and others like it, has also helped shine a light on the impact cybersecurity has on patient care, increasing budget allocations for IT.
Artificial Intelligence
2025 will see healthcare organizations narrowing in on areas where artificial intelligence (AI) is having the biggest value. Concerns about accuracy and bias remain, indicating that the biggest areas for growth will be in the administrative areas of health. But even these administrative uses can have important and meaningful impacts on clinicians and researchers. For example, clinicians can use smart assistants to retrieve important documentation, including from their own notes. Ambient listening and voice-recognition software assist greatly in notetaking and documentation. Within the realm of AI, areas to watch are regulation and policy. AI technology is moving faster than the regulatory process, and as policy catches up, it will be interesting to see what impact that has on use.
Personalized Medicine
AI, as well as wearable technology, is enabling treatments to become more personalized than ever. Patients are taking more control of their health by monitoring vital signs and other health data with smart watches, rings, and more. They can then share this data with doctors to better inform personal treatment plans. Utilizing this type of patient-gathered data, along with more complex genomic data, allows for the practice of precision medicine--an innovative approach that considers a patient's individual characteristics in order to develop a highly specialized treatment plan. This can result in greater efficacy with fewer side effects.
To learn more about health IT trends, take a look at these resources:
- HIMSS25 (March 3-6, 2025; Las Vegas, NV) - Join visionary CIOs and top-level executives, dedicated healthcare providers, knowledgeable informaticists, tech-savvy health IT professionals, and forward-thinking government officials for a wide range of discussions and exhibits about the future of healthcare.
- 2025 Military Health System (MHS) Conference (April 28-May 2, 2025; Cleveland, OH) - The conference provides a unique venue for knowledge sharing, innovative ideas, discussions of lessons learned, and the introduction of exciting new developments within the Military Health System.
- Healthcare Analytics Summit (August 26-28, 2025; Salt Lake City, UT) - This event shares best practices and hands-on experiences, highlighting the critical role that data and analytics play in healthcare.
- The Change Healthcare Cyberattack and Response Considerations for Policymakers (white paper) - The Change Healthcare attack highlights the healthcare system's interconnected nature and nationwide reach, and the broader impact of the disruption of economic activity. As the widespread effects of the attack have become known, concerns over the federal response and the attack's resolution have increased.
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care (white paper) - There is no doubt that AI will radically change how things are being done in the future, particularly in healthcare. Given the bombardment of publicity and hype, how can the trustee separate the wheat from the chaff? What is the role of the trustee in providing leadership and strategic guidance about AI for their organization?
- The Role of AI In Advancing Precision Medicine: A Focus on Genetics and Mental Health (white paper) - The integration of AI-driven insights into electronic health records enables personalized treatment plans, ensuring that medical care is tailored to each individual's unique genetic and health profile. As AI continues to evolve, its role in precision medicine holds the promise of improving patient outcomes on many fronts; helping diagnose conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety earlier and more accurately; and overall transforming the way healthcare is delivered.
Explore more trends in health IT at GovEvents and GovWhitePapers.
