Preparing the workforce for the non-linear implementation of health information technology.

Abstract

This article addresses how the dynamic, interdisciplinary, and non-linear nature of health information technology implementations require a workforce equipped with both technical competencies and an understanding of the relationships between healthcare system components. The article identifies key workforce preparation strategies including ongoing education and training for certificates or degrees through universities, professional associations, or health information technology vendors, tuition reimbursement, title changes, paid time off, and increased pay or bonuses. Helping employees to understand how their work is integrated into the overall healthcare data ecosystem creates a more efficient and effective health information technology implementation. As an example, we highlight how to prepare employees to consider clinical knowledge organization systems and standards, and how they ensure data accuracy and interoperability for data exchange of newly implemented health information systems and related artificial intelligence tools.