The growing IT industry provides new solutions for the automatization of different business processes and performing calculations. Efficient use of IT is especially relevant in the field of medicine, where timing and accuracy are key elements. A good strategy and a capable chief information officer (CIO) are both needed to successfully utilize transformation technology in health care, but the specifics of the area make the role of the CIO more critical.
The changes that have been occurring in the field of healthcare IT in recent years determine the present situation. The efficient work of a CIO in a modern healthcare organization requires not only solid technological knowledge but also strong interpersonal skills. Developing positive relationships with other executives, employees, and patients is critical for success, and the CIO is the central figure in achieving this goal. Adaptability to an environment that is constantly changing is another key skill for a CIO. The increasingly critical role of a CIO in developing interpersonal relationships and the necessity to adapt to changes in the field make it impossible even for a good strategy to overcome a poor CIO. However, the role of a CIO is becoming strategic, and flexibility is inherent to long-term planning in healthcare IT. Thus, a capable CIO can make the necessary adjustment to overcome the shortcomings of the strategy.
The technological progress in the sphere of IT is very fast, and each year products become more sophisticated, capable of solving a wider range of problems, and, at the same time, more affordable to businesses. It leads to a necessity to adapt to the dynamic environment of the field to be efficient. The role of the healthcare CIO is central for utilizing innovative technologies, and finding a qualified person for this position needs to be prioritized.