Did you know that 70% of technological projects in the healthcare sector fail due to inadequate preparation? You are about to embark on a major technological change within your healthcare organization. The technical implementation is ready, and everything seems set. But have you truly thought of everything? How will the end-users react? Have you involved them in the process from the start?

A perfect technical implementation, and then what?

Your technical implementation goes perfectly; it couldn’t have gone better. The systems work, and the entire project team is enthusiastic. But now what? The adoption of the new technology within the organization isn’t going as you had hoped. End-users aren’t enthusiastic and refuse to work with the new systems. They become irritated, and the project faces significant delays, ultimately leading to substantial extra costs.

It may seem exaggerated, but we still see this happening too often in the market: a good technical implementation, but significant resistance during the adoption process. Why is this happening? More importantly, how can we prevent it?

The risks of poor preperation

Poor preparation poses significant risks for any project. Research shows that no less than 70% of technological projects in the healthcare sector fail due to inadequate preparation. This results not only in delays and inefficiencies but also in substantial cost overruns that can disrupt the budget of the healthcare organization. Moreover, it can affect the quality of care and the trust of both end-users and stakeholders.

Increased costs: Poor planning and policies often lead to additional costs due to delays and inefficient processes. Unplanned costs can account for up to 30% of the project budget, mainly due to remediation work and delayed deliveries.

End-user resistance: Without timely and effective communication, end-users feel neglected. This leads to resistance and low acceptance of new technologies, jeopardizing the project’s ultimate goals.

Data and security issues: Insufficiently clear data classifications and migration plans can lead to errors and severe security risks, damaging the healthcare organization’s reputation and potentially leading to legal complications.

Loss of trust: Failing to involve end-users and stakeholders promptly can result in a significant loss of trust and support for the project, complicating the further acceptance and implementation of new technologies.

Loss of quality of care: Inefficiencies and errors in implementation can directly impact the quality of care, posing potential risks to patient safety. Studies show that poor preparation can lead to 50% more errors in care delivery during the first months after implementation.

A crystal-clear policy: indispensable!

Many organizations make the mistake of wanting to move too quickly without the necessary preparation. It is important to first establish a clear policy before the technical implementation takes place.

A good policy should include detailed data classification and migration plans, user guidelines, security measures, communication policies, and feedback mechanisms. By carefully establishing the policy, healthcare institutions can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth and successful implementation of new technologies.

Involve your end-users

Resistance from end-users is a common obstacle. Poor communication creates uncertainty and resistance. Therefore, involving end-users from day one is crucial. The first impression of a project is decisive for acceptance. Gather their wishes and needs and show how the new technology can simplify their work.

When this doesn’t happen, employees feel neglected and are less willing to accept changes. Studies show that involving end-users from the start can increase acceptance by up to 40% and shorten the implementation process by 30%.

Our approach for succesful adoption

To ensure the successful adoption of new technology within an organization, we work with experienced project leaders and local support teams.

A local support team is a group of (external) IT professionals specifically assigned to support, coordinate, and implement the adoption of new technologies within an organization.

This team acts as a bridge between the technical implementation and the daily users of the technology, which is crucial for smooth integration and acceptance.

Would you like to know how we can help you achieve successful adoption of new technological implementations within your organization? Contact one of our IT & Healthcare business managers. They will be happy to assist you.

The healthcare sector is evolving, and new technologies are increasingly being introduced, which understandably raises concerns among healthcare professionals. Questions such as “Will robots take over my job?” and “Will I lose the connection with the patient if everything becomes automated?” are frequently raised. This fear can be a barrier to the successful adoption of new technologies in healthcare. In this article, we discuss how this fear among healthcare professionals can be alleviated so that they can embrace the benefits of innovation with confidence and enthusiasm.

What drives the fear?

Uncertainty about the future of work

One of the main reasons for fear among healthcare professionals is the uncertainty about their future role. With the rise of automation and AI, many people wonder if their jobs are at stake. This lack of clarity can lead to fear and resistance to change.

Loss of human contact

Another common fear within healthcare is the potential loss of human contact due to the introduction of new technologies. Healthcare providers often value the personal aspect of their work and fear that technology will diminish it.

Benefits of new technologies in healthcare

Efficiency and productivity

It is important to emphasize that new technologies in the healthcare sector bring many benefits. They can increase efficiency and improve the productivity of healthcare providers by taking over repetitive tasks, allowing healthcare professionals more time for direct patient care and human interaction.

Improved patient care

In addition, technological innovations can lead to an improvement in the quality of care. From advanced medical devices to digital patient records, these tools assist in more accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients, ultimately resulting in better outcomes.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

In addition to the mentioned benefits, technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) also play a significant role in improving efficiency in healthcare. RPA enables healthcare institutions to automate repetitive and administrative tasks such as processing invoices, updating patient records, and scheduling appointments. By implementing RPA, healthcare providers can save valuable time that they can spend on direct patient care and strengthening human contact. Moreover, RPA reduces the risk of human errors and ensures consistent and accurate task execution, ultimately improving the overall quality of care.

How to overcome fear?

To alleviate the fear of healthcare professionals and help them embrace the benefits of new technologies, several strategies need to be implemented.

It is essential to adequately train healthcare professionals about the new technologies being introduced. By providing the necessary knowledge and skills, they can feel more confident in using these tools. This helps them understand that technology can be used as support and does not necessarily mean replacing staff.

Healthcare providers should be actively involved in the implementation process of new technologies. Their input and feedback are invaluable in designing systems that seamlessly fit their needs and workflows.

Consider setting up a support system where healthcare professionals can address their questions and concerns. This makes employees feel more supported and can alleviate many fears. Additionally, always communicate clearly and set realistic expectations. Being transparent about the capabilities and limitations of technology can prevent unrealistic expectations.

The role of leadership

Open and honest communication is crucial in overcoming fear among healthcare professionals. Leaders should create an environment where healthcare professionals feel free to express their concerns and objections. Additionally, they should encourage the adoption of new technologies.

Inspirational leadership

By promoting a culture of innovation and growth, leaders can strengthen the confidence and motivation of healthcare providers. They can do this by emphasizing the importance of technological innovation and outlining an inspiring vision for the future of healthcare.

Sharing success stories

Sharing success stories from other healthcare institutions that have implemented new technologies can also help reassure anxious staff. It demonstrates that change is possible and can yield positive results.

Support and coaching

Finally, it is important for leaders to support their healthcare professionals during the transition to new technologies. Through training, coaching, and continuous support, they can strengthen the confidence and proficiency of their team.

Conclusion

It is understandable that healthcare professionals may experience fear when new technologies are introduced in healthcare. However, through education, communication, involvement, and leadership, this fear can be overcome. By working together and creating a culture of trust and support, healthcare institutions can fully leverage the benefits of technological innovation and improve the quality of care.