Heads up to our readers. Forget the buzz about AI, ChatGPT and GenAI. These tech tools are already making their mark inside the health system – accelerating accurate diagnosis, summarizing EMR records, improving reimbursement submissions and shifting providers from “sick-care” to preventive health measures. HIMSS will be the setting where the “rubber meets the road” when it comes to how these technologies are interwoven into the information flow and channeled to address the nation’s pressing health challenges.
We may be spending too much time singing the praises of the tech and less time exploring how to deploy these channels and resolve long-tolerated problems. We may be overly impressed by their engineering marvel and less centered on democratizing information to tackle health equity disparities. Some health payers and provider systems are using AI to pump the breaks on authorizations when the bigger issue is whether those that need preventive and engaged care gain prompt access. Efficiency without effectiveness limits AI’s great possibilities.
HIMSS leaders are asking these questions. They are tapping into global experts in information management, cybersecurity, patient engagement, upskilling health provider system IT teams, discussing policies with government leaders worldwide and much, much more. If you thought HIMSS was a colossus annual meeting – a party for health IT pros, think again! HIMSS CEO Hal Wolf and his staff are passionate about how information creates informed (and accurate) decisions. Their roles within this global society hold great influence and they understand that with responsibility comes accountability.
I had the opportunity to meet with the HIMSS leadership team for an upcoming feature and conduct a special radio interview for Healthcare Now Radio network on Health Unabashed with the HIMSS CEO. Here’s the preview. My full and candid conversation with Hal and Executive Producer Gregg Masters will air starting Monday, March 11th starting 10AM, three times daily for two weeks.
