Remember when the humble pager was the cutting edge of healthcare tech?
Well, things have moved on… Healthcare systems worldwide are embracing new technology like never before.
This is — in part — due to the challenges facing the healthcare sector. An ageing population with complex healthcare needs. A shortage of healthcare staff. And patients who expect the same ease, convenience, and digital access they enjoy when completing other life admin tasks.
Technology is one of the only ways to do more with less. It’s a way to improve patient care and reduce recruitment challenges. It’s also a way to reduce costs. According to McKinsey, health systems that invest in digital and analytics capabilities now could cut costs by $200 billion to $360 billion.
So, where are things up to in 2025? Today, nearly 90% of health system executives say that digital and AI transformation is a high or top priority for their organization. And many facilities are already seeing benefits from the digitization of healthcare.
Want to join them? Let’s get you up to speed with what the digital transformation of healthcare looks like and how to get your next digital project off the ground.
What is digital transformation for healthcare?
Digital transformation for healthcare means using technology — like AI, cloud computing, and data analytics — to improve patient care and streamline processes.
In your healthcare organization, that might look like any of the following:
- Using telemedicine to see more patients and triage for in-person care
- Using electronic health records (EHR) to share patient information and provide joined-up care across departments
- Using wearables to monitor patients remotely, in real-time — providing “hospital at home” care or supporting patients with chronic conditions
- Using AI technology to complete routine admin tasks
- Using data analytics and AI to spot health trends and make early diagnoses
- Using robotic systems to improve surgical precision
- Using employee apps and intranet platforms to improve communication among healthcare staff
The benefits of digital transformation for healthcare
Digital transformation can help you create the kind of organization that keeps pace with the pressures facing the healthcare industry in 2025.
Yes, it takes effort — new systems, new ways of working, the odd bump in the road. But the payoff is huge. Here’s what you can expect:
Better patient care
Digitizing processes keeps services consistent, cuts clinical errors, and improves documentation. It also supports healthcare providers to deliver personalized care plans, predict potential health risks, and tailor treatments to each patient. The result? Improved patient safety and better clinical outcomes.
Easy access to key services
Digital transformation for healthcare means patients often get to see a healthcare provider sooner. People who would struggle to make it to an in-person appointment can speak to a physician over a phone or video call. Patients can also view medical records and test results straight from their smartphones. This helps them take a more active role in their healthcare, which means better adherence to treatment plans.
More connected teams
Getting information to busy frontline workers isn’t easy. But with tech tools, you can establish communication channels for essential updates, knowledge sharing, and even co-worker camaraderie. Healthcare communication becomes more effective, and employees feel more supported — by the organization and each other.
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Data-driven decision making
When you use digital systems, you collect and store a huge amount of data. You can use this data to fine-tune your own systems and processes. You can also use it to make data-driven decisions about patient care.
Streamlined admin
Coordinating work schedules, scheduling appointments, transcribing patient notes. When you use AI and automation for admin tasks, you reduce the workload of your frontline staff and give them more time to spend with patients.
Productivity and collaboration
Electronic health records (EHRs) enable teams and departments across your organization — and others — to securely access patient information. This means less duplication of work and a joined-up approach to patient care.
Better employee engagement
Closing the digital gap in healthcare makes frontline work less frustrating and more efficient. With frontline-friendly tools, employees can access critical information and contribute to decision-making processes. This spells higher rates of healthcare employee engagement, which — in turn — leads to better productivity, less time off sick, and better healthcare staff retention.
Reduced costs
By making healthcare more efficient, improving patient outcomes, and reducing employee churn, healthcare organizations can reduce their costs. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), eliminating inefficiencies in healthcare systems would save $1 trillion in the United States alone every year.
Challenges of digital transformation for healthcare (and how to overcome them)
Healthcare hasn’t been first in line when it comes to digital transformation. Legacy systems and paper processes are still a frustrating feature of life on the healthcare frontlines. So what’s standing in the way? The following key obstacles are often to blame:
- Too many tools. Nearly 79% of NHS doctors say that the number of different systems in use is a significant barrier to the digitization of healthcare.
- Data security worries. Patient privacy is non-negotiable. If staff and patients don’t trust the tech, they won’t use it.
- Skill gaps. Not everyone has the tech knowledge they need to pick up new systems.
- Resistance to change. When there’s barely a spare second in the day, the last thing healthcare providers need is another new process to master.
The good news? Healthcare organizations across the globe are successfully overcoming these challenges. Here are some ideas for how to follow suit.
Provide staff training
The best technology is easy and intuitive to use. But you can’t just throw a manual at people and hope for the best. Instead, deliver bite-sized training sessions and hands-on demos. Assign digital ambassadors within your organization — people who can lead the way and offer advice on new tech tools. When staff feel confident about digital processes, they’re much more likely to embrace them.
Choose interoperable systems
If systems don’t talk to each other, your teams spend a heap of time hopping between them. That means duplicated work, multiple sets of login details, and confusion about what lives where. Centralized hubs and single sign-on solutions keep everything in one place, with integrations ensuring that information passes seamlessly across all the digital tools you use.
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Be transparent about system security
HIPAA-compliant security measures, multi-factor authentication, and clear data policies keep sensitive information secure. You can share details of these security measures with staff and patients to reassure them that you have solid safeguards in place.
Communicate the “why”
Both staff and patients are resistant to change when they don’t see the point of it. Craft change communications that explain why new tools matter, what benefits they’ll bring, and how they make life easier for everyone. When there’s a clear and consistent narrative, you’re more likely to get the buy-in of end users.
How to build a digital transformation strategy for your healthcare organization
No two healthcare organizations look the same. Different teams, different patients, different pressures. So every digital transformation strategy looks a little different, too.
That being said, there are some core pillars you can put in place to give yourself the best chance of success. Here’s where to start:
1. Get everyone on the same page
Before you dive into new shiny tools, take stock. Where are you, digitally, right now? Where do you want to be in one, three, or five years? Set clear objectives and agree on organization-wide priorities by talking to all stakeholders — from your senior leadership team to your doctors, your nurses, your admin staff, and your patients.
2. Dive into the specifics
Time to ask the hard questions. Where are your processes failing patients or slowing down staff? Is it paper-based scheduling? Clunky EHR systems? A disconnected workforce? The more precise you are about your barriers — whether they’re technical, process-driven, or cultural — the better your digital solutions will be.
3. Build a budget
While the digitization of healthcare is cost-effective in the long run, it doesn’t come cheap. And it doesn’t tend to happen all at once. So build your budget in stages. Allocate or secure funds for each phase, build in a buffer, and plan for training and support — not just tech spend. Too many strategies fail because organizations invest in tools, but not in the people who use them.
4. Craft a roadmap
Put your challenges, objectives, and budget into a roadmap. Outline what is being implemented and who will take responsibility for each part of the process. Break your transformation down into key actions, metrics, and milestones to keep your initiative on track.
5. Find the right tools
Using your roadmap as guidance, you can start looking for digital technologies. Test tools before you invest. Look for partners who are with you for the long haul. Seek out tools that integrate with the other workplace software you currently use. And think long term — will this solution still fit your needs years from now?
6. Plan your implementation
You’ve chosen your digital solution. Now it’s time for the launch. Without a plan, even the best tools can flop. So start with a pilot group to iron out any issues before you roll out to the rest of the organization. Map out training sessions and your communications campaign. And don’t forget to set up support — whether that’s a help desk, digital ambassadors, or user-friendly how-to guides.
7. Collect feedback
Every phase of your digital transformation strategy is a chance to learn something new. So ask all stakeholders what they thought of the process and what they think of the end product. Using this feedback — and data on tech tool usage — you can tweak your solutions to better meet end-user needs. You can also develop better strategies for your next digital initiative.
Read more: How to build a digital transformation roadmap.
An example of digital transformation in healthcare: the NHS 10 Year Health Plan
The NHS is a huge healthcare organization with big plans for digital transformation. In the organization’s own words:
“We’re using technology to help health and care professionals communicate better and enable people to access the care they need quickly and easily, when it suits them.”
A roadmap for digital transformation in healthcare is laid out in the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan for England. This is a great resource if you’re looking for inspiration for your own digital initiatives. Why not take a look?
Happier teams and healthier patients? It all starts with digital solutions
Digital solutions are transforming the way healthcare is delivered. They’re helping organizations to reduce admin, connect employees, and deliver better patient care.
As we’ve seen, digital transformation for healthcare isn’t without its challenges. You need rock-solid security, interoperable systems, and the buy-in of patients and healthcare staff to achieve digital success.
But in 2025, finding ways to overcome these obstacles is vital. Digital transformation is here to stay. AI is taking us in new directions. And healthcare systems need to make use of these tools if they’re to thrive under increasing pressure.
Blink. And explore digital solutions for your healthcare organization.
