Hint, Hint... The Next Wave in Healthcare

It’s been almost a decade since I first spoke about "digital health" alongside other innovators. But now, I’m asking—can we finally drop the word “digital” from healthcare altogether? Aren’t we all digitized by now?

When I say digital, I’m not just talking about RPM, EMRs, PM systems, IoTs, or mobile tools. It’s about the broader picture—connectivity and access beyond the physical realm. If you’re still working towards becoming “digital,” you’re already 3-4 years behind. And if you’re not positioned for the next wave, you’ve got about 12-18 months to catch up.

Being connected doesn’t mean just going all in on telehealth, RPM, or a new practice management system. It’s about having a cohesive plan of interoperability across vendors, workflows, and—most importantly—democratizing patient data. Efficiency is key, and efficiency means lower costs.

But here’s where the urgency intensifies: AI is moving at a pace we’ve never seen before, and it’s not waiting for slow adopters. Organizations that aren’t properly positioned for the next wave will quickly find themselves overtaken. AI-driven decisions are made in milliseconds—quicker than any human can react. This means services, care pathways, and innovations will leap ahead, creating a gap between those prepared for connected, AI-enhanced healthcare and those stuck trying to catch up.

In the near future, the success of healthcare entities will be defined by how seamlessly they integrate data, AI insights, and patient access. Failure to do so won’t just slow you down—it could make you irrelevant. Time is running out; it’s no longer about digitizing. It’s about being connected and ready for what’s coming next.