March 6th, 2025 / News
Tech that improves doctor-patient experience gaining major traction, EHR expert says
The HIT landscape is evolving toward tools that support tangible improvements in direct care delivery, diagnostic accuracy and the preservation of meaningful human connections, Kem Graham of EHR vendor CliniComp says at HIMSS25.
Yes, yes, AI is huge. And Kem Graham, vice president of growth and strategy at EHR vendor CliniComp (Booth 5454), is ready to address it. But she also stresses that health IT that simplifies processes rather than adding to clinicians’ workloads is increasingly vital – especially systems that improve doctor-patient relationships.
Healthcare IT News sat down with Graham to get her opinions on these big technologies, along with some advice she is offering CIOs and other IT leaders at hospitals and health systems who are walking the HIMSS25 exhibit hall floor.
Q. What are a couple of the big technologies dominating at HIMSS25, and why is this so?
A. Artificial intelligence stands out as a dominant technology in healthcare conversations this year. Its significance stems from its transformative potential to support clinicians in their daily work, leading to better outcomes and more face-to-face time with patients.
AI technologies that streamline workflows, remove administrative burdens, and enable more timely and precise diagnostics are particularly valuable. The focus remains firmly on supporting rather than replacing clinical judgment – using technology to enhance the human elements of care while reducing cognitive load and documentation demands.
Beyond AI, technologies that directly support and improve the clinician-patient experience are gaining significant traction. With the healthcare workforce facing unprecedented challenges since COVID, including widespread burnout and staffing shortages, systems that don’t add to clinicians’ workloads but instead simplify processes are increasingly vital.
The healthcare technology landscape is evolving toward tools that support tangible improvements in direct care delivery, diagnostic accuracy and the preservation of meaningful human connections in healthcare. Competition in this space is beneficial, as it drives innovation focused on supporting clinicians in delivering optimal patient care.
Q. What are a couple of pieces of advice you are offering CIOs and other IT leaders at the show?
A. Keep an open mind when evaluating new technologies and opportunities for improvement. The healthcare IT landscape offers numerous possibilities for growth and positive change, and realizing these benefits requires willingness to explore different approaches and solutions.
Most important, ensure your workforce has collaborative involvement in technology decisions, particularly your end users and frontline clinicians. These boots-on-the-ground professionals should have a significant voice in addressing interoperability challenges and implementing new systems, as their workflows and patient interaction may be directly impacted by any changes that are adopted.
A thorough, comparative approach to vendor evaluation also is crucial. Rather than pre-determining a single system from the outset, engage in comprehensive comparison and contrast of available technologies. Additionally, collaboration with peers at similar healthcare organizations can provide invaluable insights during your decision-making process.
While every IT environment has its unique challenges, configurations and workflows, learning from the experiences of like-minded institutions can help you better navigate your options and anticipate potential issues.
Establishing a collaborative decision-making committee that includes representatives from all levels – from C-suite to clinicians to board members – ensures you’ll maximize your investment and realize strong returns once new systems go live.
