New year, new opportunities.
Last week, our partners at Hyro published their 2024 predictions focused on the future of healthcare and technology. This carefully compiled list featured predictions from leading professionals in the industry, including our own CEO, Joshua Titus, and covered topics such as generative AI, cost savings & operational efficiency, and digital front door efforts.
While the year has just begun, these predictions offer us a glimpse into what the new year has to offer. Here are a few that stood out to us.
Israel Krush, CEO & Co-Founder, Hyro - Further Use of Chatbots and AI Assistants
Starting off our list is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hyro, Israel Krush. With a focus on the use of chatbots and AI voice assistants in healthcare, Krush predicted that more health organizations would trust these AI assistants to tackle various challenges within their organizations.
"In 2024, we will see 10x more use of chatbots and voice AI assistants, mainly to increase operational efficiencies and save costs. This means back-office use cases, including IT, HR, and administration tasks like pre-auth, patient registration, and referrals. As health organizations gain more trust in these AI assistants, we will see the trend continue to touch patients, providing them with better access to care and health resources."
Sara Meinke, Sr. Director, Enterprise IT Ambulatory Network Innovation, Baptist Health Jacksonville - Championing Cost Savings and Operational Expenses
Next on our list is Sara Meinke, Sr. Director at Baptist Health Jacksonville. By prioritizing automation, Sara predicts organizations are preparing to rethink their technological strategies by utilizing existing platforms.
"As we venture into 2024, a strategic realignment beckons. Organizations are gearing up to champion cost savings and operational efficiency by recalibrating their technological strategies and maximizing the utility of existing applications and platforms. I foresee continued emphasis on automation, which can be a linchpin for success by streamlining processes, curbing labor costs, and delivering more value to a diminished workforce striving to work at their highest ability. The cycle of implementing and optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) will continue, but I anticipate a seismic shift in focus. It is time that business solutions tailored for healthcare organizations catch up and work with EHRs. This paradigm shift is not just a technological transition; it's a crucial step towards fostering patient-centric and cost-effective healthcare delivery models that will emerge in 2024 and beyond."
Joshua Titus, CEO & Founder, Gozio Health - Mobile Applications in Full Force
Our CEO, Joshua Titus, revealed his digital front door prediction for the new year as well. With a focus on patient engagement platforms, Joshua was quick to highlight the significant differences between patient portals and mobile apps, stating:
"Patient portals and digital strategy are not one and the same. In 2024, healthcare organizations that don't move beyond this mindset will fall behind as the forward thinkers acknowledge that while patient portals are a necessary evil, they can't deliver the kind of consumer-driven experience patients, visitors, and staff are looking for from their health system. Given the choice between a clunky mobile-optimized portal and the ability to open a mobile native app and use a simple voice command to schedule an appointment or access the latest protocols for COVID boosters, people will choose the mobile experience that reflects what they have in other areas of their lives. Health system leaders who keep this in mind will be better positioned for a competitive advantage in patient experience."
Conclusion
If Hyro's list of predictions tells us anything, it's that 2024 should be a year filled with change and innovation. From chatbots and AI assistants to automation and patient engagement platforms, the possibilities are exciting for the new year. Whatever it brings, something tells us that mobile apps will be front and center.