Undoubtedly, evolutions in the field of healthcare communications
and technology will continue at an ever-quickening pace. This, of
course, has direct ramifications on the role of HIM professionals.
Interestingly, one of the resource articles from this week specifically
mentions some of the changes that are occurring in health
information exchanges (HIEs). The article states that for the first
time, HIEs are now being affected by "new and unconventional
competitors" and is no longer shielded from these outside forces (Lai
& Yaraghi, 2021). For the role of an HIM professional, this
environment of constant change necessitates equally constant
training to keep up with, and maybe even get ahead of, so that they
can be at their most effective in the workplace.
Some of the most significant barriers for future HIE growth lies in the
surprisingly large percentage of patient health information that is still
stored on paper. Additionally, large healthcare entities like Walmart
and CVS have developed systems of technological standardization
that have allowed them to bypass the necessity of an HIE altogether
and can instead exchange needed information with each other (Lai &
Yaraghi, 2021). Experts are citing this as a disruptive force that
subverts the original objectives of an HIE. This changing market
dynamic will ultimately be the driving force in whether HIEs can
maintain their relevancy and competitiveness. The article advises
that HIEs must adapt, evolve, and cooperate with the new healthcare
entities. Additionally, governmental regulations are always a looming
factor in healthcare and plays a large role in determining whether
something like an HIE will realize growth projections or not. Finally,
HIEs must always be focusing on things like integrations and
interoperability.
References
Lai, S. & Yaraghi, N. (2021, October 7). Maintaining health information
exchange competitiveness in a new health care market.
Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2021/10/07/
maintaining-health-information-exchange-competitiveness-in-a-new-
health-care-market/
