In an ever-evolving industry such as healthcare, it’s important for healthcare professionals to stay current on trends, technologies, and cultivate connections that drive meaningful innovation aimed at improving the healthcare experience for provider, payers, and patients. With the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and regulatory landscape, staying informed is essential for long-term success within the industry.
Among the nearly 2,500 military service and industry professionals who attended the 2024 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium were members of the Signature Performance team. Learn more about what our team found to be some of the most exciting aspects of this year's conference.
The 2024 DHITS Conference fostered a collaborative environment where DHA leadership and industry experts came together to envision the future of healthcare. One of my key takeaways was the recurring theme in many of the sessions which was DHA's commitment to reducing provider burden and enhancing the patient experience. I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with various companies across the industry, discussing their latest innovations, areas of focus, and perspectives on the current cybersecurity landscape.
During the 2024 DHITS Conference, it was clear that the DHA’s Digital Front Door initiative is setting the foundation for how AI will play an important role in not only ensuring patient safety and satisfaction but restoring the joy of practicing medicine as a whole. When AI is paired with the right quality controls that ensure accuracy and compliance, providers and patients both reap the benefits. This allows providers to be more focused on the patient during appointments due to the hands-free technology that an AI platform can provide. Patients benefit from this level of AI because they are given the opportunity to build a better connection with their physician, ultimately leading to a more engaging appointment, concise treatment plan, and stronger health outcome.
One of the biggest takeaways for me at the 2024 DHITS Conference was the critical technologies that were identified and of interest to the Defense Health Agency (DHA). A few that were discussed were ambient listening devices with automated medical coding for improving patient and provider experience along with wearable technologies, like the Oura ring, used for data collection from sensory devices, for proactive care and trend analysis. Despite ongoing efforts, data integration continues to be a significant need. The complexity and duration of the Authority to Operate (ATO) process was also a key focus. It was discussed that due to the duration of the ATO process, which averages 12 months, the software being reviewed often becomes outdated before the ATO is approved. The DHA is also focused on bringing more care back to Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), with 60% of care currently provided in the community. This is spurring the need for innovation and improvements in provider efficiency and ease of access to care. It was wonderful to connect with the other solution providers and discuss strategies on how the industry can better support the DHA and their mission.
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