From Attention to Action: Empowering Healthcare Providers
by Joshua Tamayo-Sarver, MD, PhD, FACEP, FAMIA
Years ago, I was captivated by the idea of using technology to draw attention to problems in healthcare — to shine a light on inefficiencies and missed opportunities. But as I’ve learned, awareness without action is just frustration.
I vividly recall a clinical decision support system that persistently flagged a homeless patient’s unstable housing as an important social determinant of health (SDOH). ‘No kidding,’ I would think, with no lack of sarcasm. The system’s constant alerts felt redundant highlighting painfully obvious information I already knew. Yet, it offered no solutions, no resources, no actionable pathways to actually help my patient. It felt like just another popup designed by someone who thought they were addressing the problem simply by drawing attention to it, without offering any real solutions. I couldn’t shake the resentment that the system’s creator was probably feeling good about their contribution, comfortably at home, while I was in the emergency department at 4 a.m. on a Saturday, trying to care for this man and feeling helpless, futile in the face of a problem I had no means to fix.
This experience highlighted a fundamental flaw in some health technology: a focus on highlighting problems without providing actionable solutions. As healthcare professionals, we’re often inundated with information but starved for resources and support. The gap between knowing and doing can be vast and demoralizing.
The Evolution of Healthcare Technology
Over the past 15 years, I’ve witnessed the healthcare technology landscape evolve dramatically. We’ve moved from simple alert systems to sophisticated AI-driven platforms. Yet, the core challenge remains: how do we translate insights into action?
In the emergency department, where interruptions are constant and decisions are time-sensitive, the need for actionable intelligence is paramount. It’s not enough to know that a patient is at risk; we need tools that empower us to intervene effectively and efficiently.
Beyond Awareness: The Power of Actionable Solutions
The healthcare ecosystem is complex, with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. To truly make a difference, we need to focus on developing solutions that:
- Provide clear, actionable steps for healthcare providers.
- Integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.
- Address real-world constraints and limitations.
- Offer tangible benefits to both patients and providers.
For instance, instead of simply flagging food insecurity, imagine a system that could:
- Connect patients with local food banks or meal delivery services while they are sitting in my ER.
- Provide immediate access to food — now, they are hungry, and tomorrow — they will be hungry again. Perhaps this could be done through existing County cash assistance programs for which the person qualifies.
- Coordination with social workers for long-term support and therapy. Actual people with real resources at the patient’s elbow where follow-up is possible.
These are the kinds of solutions that can transform care delivery and improve patient outcomes.
The Role of AI in Empowering Healthcare Providers
Artificial Intelligence holds immense promise in healthcare, but its implementation must be thoughtful, and more importantly purpose driven. We’ve seen firsthand how AI can enhance diagnostics, streamline treatment, and optimize patient care. However, the key to successful AI integration lies in understanding the nuanced needs of healthcare professionals and the patients they serve.
For example, we’ve worked on developing AI tools that not only identify potential health risks but also suggest evidence-based interventions tailored to the patient’s specific circumstances. This approach moves beyond mere alerting to provide meaningful support for clinical decision-making.
Bridging the Gap: From Insight to Impact
To truly bridge the gap between knowledge and action, we need to:
- Engage with end-users: Collaborate closely with healthcare providers to understand their real-world challenges and needs and what they can do as providers.
- Focus on implementation: Develop solutions that are not just innovative but also practical and easy to adopt.
- Measure meaningful outcomes: Look beyond traditional metrics to assess the real-world impact of healthcare technologies.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement: Encourage feedback and iteration to refine and enhance solutions over time.
The Path Forward
As we continue to innovate in healthcare technology, let’s shift our focus from merely capturing attention to enabling action. This means developing tools and systems that not only identify problems but also provide concrete steps to address them.
We must strive to create technologies that empower healthcare providers, enhance patient care, and ultimately contribute to a more effective and compassionate healthcare system. By doing so, we can move beyond the frustration of knowing without doing, and truly make a difference in the lives of patients and providers alike.
As we look to harness the power of the machine, we must remember that healthcare tools are not immune from a truth so clearly stated in Harvard Business Review “Data without insights is meaningless, and insights without action are pointless.”
As a final plea after years of being on the receiving end of this dynamic: if you feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment because you have pointed out a problem for other people to solve, don’t. Either join me in tackling the solution, or step aside. We don’t need more noise — we need action.
