One-Third of Young Providers Overwhelmed by Patient Data, Analytics

March 09, 2020 - Thirty-five percent of younger healthcare professionals are overwhelmed by digital patient data or are unsure about how to use patient data and analytics to inform care, according to a global survey from Philips.

Despite these concerns, younger providers reported that their organizations are open to adopting new digital tools: 78 percent said their hospital or practice is completely or somewhat willing to embrace new technology, which would lead to even higher volumes of data in the future. These findings point to gaps in education and training that could significantly impact clinical efficiency.

“Data, and the rapidly evolving technology behind it, has the power to build healthcare systems robust enough to deliver value-based care. The next generation of healthcare professionals is firmly convinced of this great potential. For them, it is a necessary tool that improves their performance and has the ability to reduce work-related stress,” the survey stated.

“It is unsurprising then, that these younger healthcare professionals have a balanced and pragmatic attitude towards technology. Rather than yearning for the latest innovation, they are clear in their desire to have the technology foundations in place to improve patient care and enhance their own work experience.”

The survey featured answers from nearly 3,000 healthcare professionals across 15 countries. Respondents were all under age 40, a demographic that’s expected to form most of the healthcare workforce over the next 20 years.

The results show that younger healthcare professionals see digital health technologies as tools that can advance care delivery, with 79 percent saying these technologies can achieve better patient outcomes and 74 percent saying digital health tools will improve the patient experience.

Additionally, the majority of participants indicated that they are excited by the potential of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Most respondents believe that these tools could improve several areas of care delivery, including administrative burdens and patient diagnostics.

“Despite the hype around artificial intelligence (AI) and automation replacing healthcare jobs, the overwhelming majority of this generation do not seem to be overly concerned about the impact of new technology on their job security. In fact, when it comes to AI, many are enthusiastic about the potential it offers to help them improve patient outcomes,” the report said.

Just 13 percent cited future job security due to technological advancements as a top concern, the survey showed. Forty-six percent said they believe AI could reduce inefficiencies in administrative work, and 44 percent were excited by AI’s potential to analyze big data and help predict conditions or diagnoses.

In addition to enhancing patient care, providers are also aware that technology use could possibly improve workplace satisfaction. Eighty-one percent said that the right technologies have the potential to reduce workloads, and 67 percent said they expect the adoption of new technologies to reduce their stress levels.

“While technology is a crucial part of improving patient outcomes, it also plays a key role in determining job satisfaction levels among younger healthcare professionals,” the report stated. “Younger healthcare professionals have confidence that technology can reduce their workloads. They also see a clear link between appropriate technologies and lower stress levels.”

Although most respondents acknowledge the vital role technology and data play in effective care delivery, clinicians also cited several data struggles that may prevent professionals from reaching their full potential.

“Sharing restrictions can prevent younger healthcare professionals accessing pertinent patient information. This, and a lack of digital data, top their list of data issues. These two challenges can mean that the right patient data isn’t available to them,” the report said.

“Adding to the problem, many also feel that the patient data they receive isn’t always relevant or actionable, which likely contributes to the feeling of being overwhelmed by data.”

Sixty-four percent of participants agreed that data sharing restrictions often result in incomplete digital patient data, while 53 percent said they don’t have enough digital patient data to influence patient outcomes.

Thirty-nine percent of clinicians reported that the patient data that is available to them isn’t actionable, and 33 percent said the patient data available to them isn’t relevant.

To overcome these data issues, support for younger providers will be necessary. Fifty-four percent said that training on how to use data outputs of new technologies would help them use digital patient data more effectively. The same percentage said that support staff for data management would improve digital patient data use.

A lack of interoperability is also a significant barrier to effective data use. Fifty-eight percent cited improved information exchange between organizations as a top priority for improved data utilization, showing that many healthcare workers are still frustrated by incompatible systems and platforms.

In order for younger healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive, effective care, organizations will need to adopt and implement technologies and big data analytics strategies that offer actionable insights into patients’ health.

“The next generation of healthcare professionals are clear in their desire for a good work-life balance, and flexibility and collaboration within the workplace. They also understand that the success of future healthcare systems, and in particular value-based care, is intertwined with the adoption of new technologies,” the report concluded.

“Without a collaborative and empowering workplace culture to underpin uptake, the long-term adoption of digital health technologies will fail. Hospitals and organizations that prioritize a culture of collaboration – across data, technology and workplace culture – and appropriate technologies will be more likely to attract and retain staff.”