Cloud computing is the most popular technology among healthcare players
The future of IT providers in the healthcare industry in the United States and Europe is promising, as 63 percent of large hospitals, 49 percent of small-to-medium sized hospitals, and 33 percent of ambulatory service centres claim to perceive value in using IT to meet business objectives. IT companies can especially raise awareness and boost uptake among smaller businesses by offering low-cost applications that have similar benefits as more expensive applications.
The new research from Frost & Sullivan, The Future of IT in the Healthcare Industry from an IT Decision Maker Perspective, summarises the findings of a survey of 153 decision-makers for IT-related purchases in the healthcare industry in the US and Europe.
"A boost in productivity is the top reason for IT investments in large hospitals, small-to-medium sized hospitals, and ambulatory service centres across the US and Europe," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Karolina Olszewska. "In addition, large hospitals tend to invest in IT solutions to improve collaboration and accelerate decision-making, while small hospitals use these solutions to attract and retain their workforce."
Cloud computing is the most widely adopted technology; almost half the IT decision-makers in healthcare companies across the US and Europe have moved more than 50 percent of their enterprise communications to the cloud. This trend is expected to continue as security concerns regarding cloud computing technologies are on the decline.
Interestingly, even though unified communications clients and business-grade softphones have relatively low usage rates, these segments are expected to land the highest growth rates of all IT technologies surveyed. Web conferencing, however, will see a fall in adoption over the next three years.
"IT companies have to strategize to deal with new regulatory requirements that are driving up hospitals' IT costs as well as clients' need to manage expensive multi-vendor solutions," stated Olszewska. "Right now, it looks like customer care solutions are yet another attitude towards IT and communications."