Healthcare is buzzing with change as we move into 2025, and the people leading the charge at symplr have some bold predictions about where we’re headed. Spoiler alert? It’s all about cutting through the clutter, simplifying systems, and putting clinicians front and center where they belong. If you’re curious about what the future holds for healthcare IT, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, here’s what the experts are saying.
1. IT will simplify for success or stay stagnant & struggle
We’ve all seen healthcare workers frustrated by technology that doesn’t work together, and as patients, many of us have experienced those disconnects or dysfunctions firsthand. Healthcare organizations have been riddled with systems that don’t talk to each other, leading to data silos, inefficiency, and wasted time—time that should go to patients, not failing processes. According to BJ Schaknowski, symplr’s CEO, “2025 will be the year to ditch the ‘more tools, less problems’ mentality.”
He believes the future is all about integration. Imagine one platform that connects everything seamlessly, letting data flow smoothly across departments. This isn’t just about making IT’s job easier; it’s about freeing up caregivers to do what they do best—care for patients. Integrated solutions will save money, reduce burnout, and, most importantly, improve patient outcomes, and technology has advanced to make it a reality.
The takeaway? Healthcare leaders who simplify their IT systems will be future ready and set up for success while those who stick to clunky, siloed setups are in for a rough ride.
2. Clinicians will finally have a voice in IT decisions
Ever feel like the decision-makers rolling out new tech don’t actually understand how it’s used on the ground? Angel Mena, MD, symplr’s Chief Medical Officer, and Ali Morin, MSN, RN, NI-BC, symplr’s Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, believe that’s about to change. They emphasize the need for shared governance—giving clinicians, IT, and operations an equal seat at the table.
The stats from symplr’s 2024 Compass Survey speak volumes. The average hospital juggles 150+ software products just for healthcare operations, and clinicians report spending hours each day on administrative tasks. “When clinicians are involved in tech decisions, adoption rates soar, retention improves, and systems actually work better, allowing them to redirect more of their time towards patient care or self-care so they avoid burnout,” Dr. Mena explains.
For 2025, organizations that empower clinicians to lead the charge in digital transformation will emerge as winners. Those that brush them off risk failed rollouts, overworked staff, and wasted budgets. The future is about collaboration, not top-down decisions.
3. A unified governance framework will allow us to stay a step ahead of cybercriminals
Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in healthcare, for better and worse. On the one hand, it can spot cybersecurity threats in real-time and boost operational efficiency. On the other? Cybercriminals are using it too, exploiting healthcare’s vulnerabilities in increasingly sophisticated ways.
Saeed Valian, symplr’s Chief Information Security Officer, stresses that the stakes couldn’t be higher. “Healthcare is notoriously playing catch-up when it comes to cybersecurity,” he says. “Shadow IT—those unapproved systems and tools we all know exist—is only making things worse.”
Saeed believes the solution is a unified governance framework that brings everyone—providers, payers, vendors, and regulators—together. “With the right approach, we can harness AI to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. But it’ll take collaboration, smart governance, and a focus on security by design to get there.”
The bigger picture
At the heart of all these predictions is one shared goal—improving patient care while safeguarding healthcare workers’ time, mental health, and effectiveness. Integrated systems reduce chaos, clinicians’ input earlier in tech decisions streamlines digital transformation, and better governance around AI ensures a more secure path forward. 2025 will be about working smarter, breaking down silos, and giving caregivers a voice in shaping the future. Healthcare has a long way to go, but the road ahead looks promising for organizations willing to adapt.
