Vijayashree Natarajan, the senior vice president and head of technology at Omega Healthcare, is a leading expert in healthcare information technology. With her vast knowledge and experience in the field, she has identified three key trends and imperatives that will shape the future of healthcare IT in 2025. These trends, namely cybersecurity, cancer informatics, and agentic artificial intelligence, will have a significant impact on health system executives and IT professionals alike.
Why Data Security is Crucial in 2025
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare digital transformation, the integration of clinical data, revenue cycle operations, and patient care is becoming increasingly interconnected. Organizations that can effectively leverage these data streams while ensuring data security will have a competitive advantage in the evolving healthcare industry. As the industry embraces AI and other digital technologies, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Healthcare organizations must prioritize pervasive micro-segmentation coverage to protect sensitive data and ensure patient safety.
The Importance of Cancer Informatics
With the projected 50% increase in cancer cases by 2050, there is a growing need for cancer informatics to support public health initiatives. The complexity and volume of cancer data pose challenges in data management, requiring skilled professionals to integrate disparate data sources and extract valuable insights. By focusing on developing solutions that streamline data processes and unlock new insights, healthcare organizations can drive clinical and operational excellence. The integration of innovative technologies with industry expertise will pave the way for enhanced patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare services.
The Role of Agentic AI in 2025
Artificial intelligence is becoming essential in healthcare for minimizing fraud, advancing value-based care, and improving patient outcomes. Agentic AI, in particular, will play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, tailoring treatments, and driving better patient results. Healthcare organizations should prioritize creating dedicated AI oversight teams, developing contingency plans for disruptions, providing staff training, implementing monitoring tools, establishing data governance policies, and using predictive analytics to foresee potential issues. While the potential of AI in healthcare is promising, organizations must manage risks related to data privacy, security, and workflow integration.
