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CIOs have an opportunity to guide a successful AI integration by focusing on the following strategies:

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Strengthen AI governance and oversight

Form an oversight committee to ensure ethical and compliant AI deployment.

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Build strategic partnerships with AI and automation vendors

Consider working with trusted vendors to access scalable and interoperable platforms, versus developing solutions in-house.

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Invest in AI-focused workforce training and upskilling

Develop comprehensive training programs to build AI fluency and foster trust among staff.

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Launch data-driven pilot projects with clear success metrics

Launch initial AI initiatives with clear key performance indicators (KPIs).

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Proactive leadership is the only way to stay ahead of these changes. Actionable strategies should begin now:

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Conduct a comprehensive readiness assessment

Evaluate the organization’s current IT infrastructure and team capabilities against the upcoming regulatory demands.

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Benchmark credentialing and compliance platforms

The right technology can automate many of the new requirements, reducing the manual burden on a team.

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Develop a flexible talent strategy

This may involve a combination of hiring full-time specialists, upskilling the current team, and leveraging contract or project-based talent.

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Strengthening the organization's cybersecurity posture requires a clear, strategic approach. Here are three key actions to prioritize:

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Implement zero-trust architecture and AI-based threat detection

A zero-trust architecture operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," treating every access request as a potential threat.

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Shift to cloud-based EHR systems with real-time updates

Migrating Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to the cloud offers significant security advantages. Cloud-based systems provide real-time updates and patches, which helps to eliminate the vulnerabilities often found in on-premise legacy systems.

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‍Strengthen IT governance and security frameworks

Establishing clear policies for data management, third-party vendor risk, and incident response is critical. A governance framework should ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA and align with industry best practices, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

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For CIOs, the mandate is clear: lead the charge or be left behind. A proactive approach should include these key actions:

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Conduct a comprehensive FHIR readiness assessment

Identify which systems are FHIR-compliant, which need upgrades, and which must be replaced.

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Proactively engage interoperability-focused vendors

Open a dialogue with all technology vendors now. Confirm their roadmaps for compliance with CMS-0057-F and other interoperability rules.

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‍Invest in scalable, future-proof infrastructure

Evaluate the current network, security, and data storage capabilities to ensure they can handle the increased flow of information without creating bottlenecks or vulnerabilities.

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Develop a robust workforce training and enablement program

Partner with human resources and clinical leaders to create training programs that address the new skills required for an interoperable environment.

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To effectively navigate this trend, technology leaders should consider the following strategic workforce actions:

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Conduct organization-wide telehealth workforce planning

To forecast future skill requirements and identify gaps within the current IT team.

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Use insights to inform multi-layered talent strategies

Targeting both internal development and external recruitment.

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‍Invest in upskilling and reskilling for virtual-care technologies

To develop in-house talent, offering training in high-demand areas such as data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

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Refine recruitment strategies for telehealth-ready roles

To attract external candidates with specialized expertise essential for sustaining telehealth growth.

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Build external partnerships to support program scalability

With universities, vocational schools, and technology companies to build a pipeline of qualified talent.

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Addressing the upskilling imperative requires a proactive and strategic approach.

Invest in dedicated continuous learning program

Collaborate with educational providers to deliver targeted training that addresses critical skills gaps within the workforce.

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Develop career pathways to foster advancement

Establish clear career pathways that demonstrate how acquiring new skills can lead to meaningful advancement opportunities within the organization.

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To build a resilient workforce, technology leaders can:

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Embed employee well-being and professional development

Integrate employee well-being and professional growth into workforce planning to build a more resilient team.

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Leverage automation and AI to combat burnout

Utilize automation and AI tools to reduce burnout and enhance operational efficiency.

Use workforce analytics for strategic forecasting

Apply workforce analytics to accurately forecast staffing needs and inform strategic planning.