There are so many questions about healthcare technology. Information analysts, information scientists and database administrators, these are the jobs that healthcare is most eager to fill. Innovation, cloud-based solutions, and “bring your own everything” are the watch words of today and for the foreseeable future.

It’s ALL about Healthcare Technology!

Whether a single provider practice, a large multi-specialty practice, or a hospital owned provider, technology is changing your culture rapidly. How can providers keep up with this fluid market? How do you know your practice is making the right choices with technology? How do you know what’s needed and what’s bells and whistles? How do you get past what the sales guys/gals are telling you and into what’s really working and what’s not working as well as what they are telling you?

Tip # 1 – Ask your colleagues – All around you is a wealth of information. The providers you know and trust are your best consultants for what works and what doesn’t. Of course you should follow up with providers the vendors are recommending you speak to, but remember, if the vendors are saying to call them they know you are going to hear very positive news about the products. Call someone you know that’s using the technology.

Tip # 2 – Ask a young person – Everyone under the age of 18 knows more about technology than you do. They have developed instincts about technology from very young ages. They don’t question why you have to do things in a certain order to obtain desired results. They just know you have to and they do them in that order. And guess what, they get what they want because they do. We tend to say “why doesn’t it do x, y, and z?” What we should be asking is “how is it designed to work and what do I need to change in the process to fit with the design.”

Tip # 3 – Talk to the CIO of the hospital with which you are affiliated – These are some very bright forward thinking people. Tell them what you are looking for and ask for their recommendations. They will have some insight you have not considered and may even be able to point you to something you have not considered as a solution.

These three pretty simple tips are worth your time and effort. Spend time with people you know and trust. Get the input of people who know and work with technology everyday. Ask the experts.