It is impossible to imagine a modern complex system without a digital framework behind its success. Healthcare is not an exclusion, as its IT projects are often seen as underperforming to their expected values (Kaplan & Harris-Salamone, 2009). Reasons behind this failure may depend on situational factors, yet the unsatisfactory rates of success suggest that there is a core flaw in the process (Kaplan & Harris-Salamone, 2009). In this paper, I will provide my opinion on why IT projects in healthcare fail at a higher rate than in other industries.
A healthcare system possesses requirements for digital projects that involve both internal complexity and external simplicity while considering the likelihood of corrections due to new developments in both involved industries. First and foremost, digital projects must be able to fulfill their purpose for end-users in the most efficient way. This goal may be missed during a project’s planning process or later revisions, especially if the global direction is not laid out in detail. Both IT and healthcare employees must cooperate in the creation of any digital utility intended for this industry. I believe that there is a need to drastically change guidelines for project planning and leadership. Otherwise, the lack of understanding of problems from either side will cause a project to chaotically expand, stagnate, or consume unnecessary finances for its development.
In conclusion, IT projects in healthcare may appear groundbreaking, yet they must be kept to a reasonable standard in both their size and complexity. They are made to be used by people who are less proficient in digital systems than those who created them. In my opinion, this difference creates a dissonance between IT and healthcare teams that threatens the success of any project. Communication between stakeholders and developers must be kept at the highest standard, with all goals thoroughly discussed and well-understood.
Reference
Kaplan, B., & Harris-Salamone, K. D. (2009). Health IT success and failure: Recommendations from literature and an AMIA workshop. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 16(3), 291-299. Web.