Informatics has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. The changes in health care alone have forced organizations to do things far differently than they once imagined.
Scenario
You are a member of a planning committee in your organization whose purpose is to research and report on future trends in the field of informatics. You will look at future trends in informatics that can improve your organization’s health care strategy and day-to-day patient care. In addition, you will consider how the technology is designed and whether your co-workers or patients will be willing and able to use it. You are preparing a report that will be delivered to your committee’s sponsoring executive.
Identify the stakeholders in your organization that you would be presenting to. This is the first step in what will ultimately be a formal 5-year plan proposal for technology investments and resource allocation, which will be delivered to your board of directors for approval.
Create a report that outlines the 3 hottest trends that are forecast for informatics. Use data to support your conclusion. This will provide you with timely knowledge of what is happening in the field.
Answer the following questions in your report:
How would your selected trends affect patient outcomes?
How can these technologies be used to address specific challenges facing the health care industry? For example, AI can be used to develop personalized treatment plans.
What are the steps that need to be taken to implement these technologies? This could include discussing the costs, risks, and challenges associated with implementation.
Provide examples of how each trend is already being used to improve health care. This could include examples from other hospitals, health systems, or even other industries.
Board of Directors: The ultimate approval authority for large capital expenditures and strategic direction. They focus on financial return (ROI), risk management, market competitiveness, and alignment with the organization's mission.
C-Suite Executives (CEO, COO, CFO): These individuals manage the operational, strategic, and financial viability of the organization. They prioritize cost-efficiency, quality metrics, market growth, and resource allocation.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO): They represent clinical leadership. Their primary focus is on how technology impacts patient safety, quality of care, physician/nurse workflow efficiency, and professional satisfaction.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO): They are responsible for the technical feasibility, infrastructure, data security, and integration of the proposed technologies.
Department Heads and Service Line Leaders: They provide crucial input on operational needs, resource requirements, and training implications for their specific areas (e.g., Surgery, Emergency, Outpatient Clinics).
Patient Representatives/Advisory Council: They provide essential feedback on the usability, accessibility, and patient experience of any consumer-facing technology.
2. Hottest Trends in Informatics (2025-2030 Forecast)
The three hottest forecast trends poised to dramatically change health care delivery are Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), Hyper-Personalized and Predictive Medicine (driven by Genomics and Multi-omics), and Extended Reality (XR) for Clinical Training and Therapy.
A. Trend 1: Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)
Data Support: The AI in healthcare market size is projected to grow from $\$14.6$ billion in 2023 to over $\$100$ billion by 2030, with GenAI being the fastest-growing segment (PwC, 2024).
How this trend affects patient outcomes:
GenAI enhances diagnostic accuracy and documentation quality. LLMs can rapidly summarize vast amounts of patient data (EHR, notes, imaging) to ensure clinicians don't miss key details, reducing diagnostic errors and improving the safety of care transitions.
How this technology addresses industry challenges:
It directly addresses the challenge of clinical burnout and administrative burden. LLMs can automate the drafting of clinical notes, insurance pre-authorizations, and patient discharge summaries from simple dictation or EHR inputs, freeing up clinicians' time for direct patient interaction.
Sample Answer
Report on Future Informatics Trends for Health Care Strategy
To: Planning Committee Sponsoring Executive From: [Your Name], Planning Committee Member Date: October 31, 2025 Subject: Future Informatics Trends and Strategic Technology Investments
This report outlines the initial steps for developing a 5-year technology investment plan by identifying key stakeholders and analyzing the three hottest trends in informatics forecast to impact health care strategy and patient care.
1. Key Stakeholders for Presentation
The eventual formal proposal for technology investments and resource allocation must resonate with decision-makers who control budget, strategy, and operations. The primary stakeholders for this presentation and the final 5-year plan include: